XO Grey Fox

It's always a pleasure coming across a supplier of British-manufactured menswear. Country Attire sells a wide selection of brands which importantly include its own range of country wear (marketed as Country Attire) made in the UK from Scottish tweed and British Millerain waxed cotton. They sent me a few jackets to try and I took them up to Cumbria, in north west England, to see how they got on in the environment for which they were designed.

The weather veered (as it does up there) between pouring rain, sleet, mist and glorious sunshine. I found that all the waterproof jackets kept out the water and all were well-designed and made. Careful thought had gone into placing zips, poppers, buttons, neck closures, pockets and belts to ensure the best fit, practicality and closure against the elements. Some are at reduced prices at the moment and offer excellent value (see below).

Crosby Slim-fit Jacket - Country Attire

The Crosby slim-fit jacket (shown in the above two images) was one of my favourites. Designed in that popular motor bike jacket style so favoured by Steve McQueen, it's stylish, comfortable and useful for town or country. Reasonably lightweight, the exterior is made from waxed cotton with a waterproof lining, Milair 5000, made by British Millerain. It would be ideal with a vintage Tootal spotted scarf, jeans, boots and a thick roll-neck jumper on colder days. The sizing is surprisingly small on this one; check carefully as you may have to order a size or two higher than normal. I'm wearing a 40" chest (normally 38") and it still only just takes a sweater underneath. Price: £155.97 (reduced).

Ventile Shooting Coat - Country Attire

More practical in style, the Ventile Shooting Coat is a serious country jacket (above) with huge pockets, knitted cuffs, detachable hood and a wonderful robust construction. While this was designed as a shooting jacket, I'd wear it on a cold day on the hill, in the forest or walking the dog in the park. Made from Ventile, the historic fabric originally designed for RAF pilot survival suits, the closely-woven cotton is water proof but quiet, so you can move more quietly that when wearing many modern waterproof fabrics. This is a great, classic jacket for any outdoor enthusiast. Wear with wellies, tweed cap and robust trousers. Price: £389.97 (reduced).

Corby Wax Jacket - Country Attire

Next, the Corby Wax jacket (above) is made in the traditional British outdoor waxed cotton style, but with Milair 5000 waterproof lining. A huge corduroy collar, detachable hood, good-sized pockets and a robust feel mean that everything is as it should be for this country classic. I suspect this is a coat that will last many a decade. Price: £155.97 (reduced).

William Clean Tweed Jacket - Country Attire

Finally, I was very impressed by the William Clean tweed jacket. I wasn't sure how to classify this one. It's not a blazer-style sports jacket, nor purely a tweed country jacket, but it has all the makings of a Harrington-type tweed/outdoor/casual coat which would be suitable, properly layered, for colder weather in town or country. An interesting one this, and one I liked for being a little different. Wear with jeans and brogues, Red Wing style boots or desert boots. Price £329.95.

It's good to see such well-made classics manufactured in the UK and following a long tradition of durable British outdoor wear. See Country Attire for their range of men's and women's wear. Country Attire stock many other brands, including Barbour, Hackett, Loake, Drake's, John Smedley and many others.

[Note: Prices are current at time of writing this post. Country Attire has given me some of these jackets.]

Many thanks to Kirsty and Tom for helping with this post.

Spending a few days in the wild and woolly north disclosed a few gaps in the Grey Fox outdoors wardrobe. I have plenty of clothing suitable for climbing mountains and rambling along country footpaths, but these are mainly made artificial materials such as Gore-Tex. I have no problem with that, they are the best materials for extremes of weather. However, if the going is not so tough, they are rarely as comfortable as natural materials such as wool and cotton which are softer and more breathable. Furthermore, I don't really want to rustle like a paper bag as I walk a country path. It scares off the wildlife and makes me feel like a jolly anorak-clad rambler on a Sunday outing.

So, as autumn approaches, what is available that is stylish, breathable, quiet and made from natural materials to keep off the worst of the weather? Many of the traditional rainproof garments, made from fabrics such as cotton, were first developed here in the UK by Barbour, Belstaff, Ventile, British Millerain and Grenfell among others (many still going strong in the UK). Could this have been something to do with the British weather and our love of being outdoors walking, climbing, shooting, fishing or sport? This long practical heritage has appealed to British explorers and mountaineers, royalty and the quintessentially cool (i.e. Steve McQueen).

Here are a few examples of outdoor clothing made from natural materials (cotton or wool based) that offer stylish alternatives to more technical artificial fabrics.

[Edit: 2016 - I'm pleased to say that the Grenfell shooting jacket, a vintage example of which is shown below, has been recreated by a revived Grenfell, see here].