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11 months ago
Think tweed
You’ve bagged the invite… now make sure you’ve got the right kit for your next weekend in the country. Here’s a couple of hints: tweed is always a good idea, and ‘town clothes’ just won’t make the cut. Luckily, we’ve got the British sporting brands made for braving the cold, wet and mud of the great outdoors.
The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide
Established in 1814, Purdey specialises in bespoke hand-crafted sporting guns, made to each customer’s unique specifications. Every gun takes 18-24 months to complete, and is made in the brand’s workshop in Hammersmith. As well as guns, Purdey also supplies classic sporting kit, from tweed breeks to technical shooting coats.
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A favourite supplier of game fishers, shooters and country enthusiasts since 1840, Farlows pairs traditional values with cutting-edge technology to create sporting clothes that stand the test of time and the elements. As well as its own line, it also stocks a who’s-who of sporting brands in its Pall Mall shop.
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Offering made-to-order country wear, Crow and Jester stands out through its founder, Simon Horsley’s, individualistic approach to design. He injects every bespoke piece he makes with individual flavour, and makes sure it reflects both himself and its wearer. There’s also a ready-to-wear line of coats if you don’t have time to go bespoke.
Birmingham-based Westley Richards has been making guns for every kind of sport for over 200 years. The factory also produces fine leather goods, from gun slips to weekend bags to dog leads. Its men’s and women’s clothing collections are also of note, offering smart field jackets, safari styles and well-cut country tweeds, as well as stocking names such as Meindl and Habsburg.
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A London gunmaker in the traditional style, Holland & Holland has specialised in crafting sporting shotguns and rifles since 1835. Want to try your new purchase? Head to Holland & Holland’s shooting ground just outside London, which offers individual tuition as well as guided rounds and the UK’s only private indoor rifle range.
Tackle the mud with confidence with Hunter Boots, which has made waterproof footwear for British weather since it was founded in 1856. Long, short or mid-height, there’s a style of welly for everyone, plus waterproof and windproof outerwear to keep you warm and dry.
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Inspired by its native Scotland, House of Bruar offers classic country clothing tailor made for blustery moors, using premium natural fibres and expert craftsmanship.
The largest British-owned gunmaker, EJ Churchill was founded in 1891. It makes its guns at its West Wycombe Estate, just outside London. This also houses its world-renowned shooting ground, so you can get a few practice shots in, too. Further afield, it also has shooting grounds in Buckinghamshire and North Yorkshire.
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One of the UK’s leading technical performance clothing brands, Musto is all about the spirit of adventure. Whether that’s sailing, riding or shooting, Musto will kit you out with the latest thinking in fabric technology.
The original country brand, you can’t go wrong with a Barbour on a sporting weekend. Its classic waxed jackets are just the thing for a morning spent in a rainy British field.
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Town meets country at Holland Cooper, a British brand that can always be spotted at the smartest sporting and equestrian events. Founded by Jade Holland Cooper in 2008, the brand is known for combining classic sporting style with a fashion-forward approach. Shop its country edit for smart field jackets and tweeds.
Founded in 1964 by Olympic sailor Keith Musto, this British brand has become synonymous with high-performance outdoor and sporting apparel. Known for its innovative three-layer system, Musto combines technical fabrics with practical designs to create garments that withstand the harshest weather conditions. From their iconic HPX offshore sailing range to their elegant tweed shooting jackets, Musto offers a perfect blend of functionality and style for the discerning country sports enthusiast. And with two Royal Warrants to its name, Musto continues to be a go-to brand for those seeking reliable, durable, and sophisticated outdoor wear.
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Featured image: Holland & Holland
