Stephen DOIG
Take the chill off by wrapping up with seasonal sartorial style, says Stephen Doig
When Keats rhapsodised about our season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, he couldn’t have envisioned a crackling yomp through russet leaves steadfastly keeping two metres apart.
Forget the bewitching tang of cordite; this autumn’s scent is the alcohol fumes of sanitiser gel. This column routinely turns its eye to autumn dressing around this time of year – there’s something tantalising about finally adding on layers after summer – but this season is going to be like no other, namely because we’re going to be doing a lot more outdoors.
With the PM’S announcement that we’re set for six more months of serious lockdown rules, escaping beyond four walls is going to become paramount. Mixing households is easier, the issue of space is negated, and for those of us unable to see relatives who are vulnerable in confined spaces, those few metres are precious. Which leads to the issue of what to wear.
The ever gung-ho woodsman of west London, Ben Fogle this week debuted his “Wilderness” capsule range of clothing with John Lewis and Barbour. Designed with his wife and kids, it’s geared around adventure clothing. Rugged gilets and coats form the mainstay of the outerwear, with some chunky knits thrown in – and mini matching versions for your offspring.
While pulling out your old Barbour or Belstaff from the back of the ’Landy is all well and good, perhaps it’s time to invest more in your outdoors attire this autumn. You won’t be buying any glad rags for the usual glut of winter parties, after all, and we’ll be more reliant on them than ever as we turn gardens into firepit and chiminea filled outdoor seating areas.
The best cashmere you can afford is always a helpful base layer – Uniqlo’s start at £89 – and from there add a midweight jacket with a surface material that can withstand what the weather might throw at it. On that note, as we take in the great British countryside, it’s heartening to support the British brands that need it now more than ever at the moment.
Mackintosh, for example, has teamed up with cult UK menswear label The Workers Club to employ its bonded cotton on the brand’s utilitarian coats and jackets, combining traditional methods with a more urban sensibility. Private White VC’S outerwear is handcrafted in Manchester and is
renowned for its exceptional construction on pea coats, Macs and Harrington jackets. Also based in Manchester, Seven Layer’s rugged jackets are divided into categories of the kind of protection you’ll need, be it rain, wind, cold or just some mid
weight thermal cover.
Add a Nordic knit for a nod to hygge (a Scandi cosiness concept from 2018 that we need now more than ever) and a cheering scarf, and at least your wardrobe will act as a form of cocoon from these strange times.