Truly Sporting: Men’s English Countryside Style

Trying to nail men’s English country clothing? Here’s how and why rural England’s classy and sporty aesthetic is so timeless.

George Bernard Shaw referred to England and the US as two nations separated by a common language. As such, it’s easy for Americans like me to overlook how much the English and the British as a whole have contributed to day-to-day life.

Yet, I wear a suit to work (tailoring originated in the UK). I wear a trench coat when it rains (courtesy of the British military). And any weekend I can, I leave Manhattan for the New England countryside, where I just ride horses and shoot guns all day.

These inextricable connections are why British country clothing is so enduring in Western fashion. It’s a traditional style, but more importantly, a classic style. And if you’re less of a sartorialist and more of a practicalist, durable clothing is a hallmark of British countryside style, too.

Why is this the case, though? And how does one achieve this look? What’s the difference between the English countryside aesthetic and, say, American trad or Ivy League style?

Let’s get into it.

English Countryside Style: Rooted in Work and Play

When it comes to clothing, British countryside style is structured yet sporty, weather-practical, with a focus on layers. Think British tweed, flat caps, trench coats, earth tones, and pragmatic layers.

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To truly understand the specificity of English country clothing and rural British style as a whole, let’s look at what and where these people worked and played.

In 1800s and 1900s England, landowners in the countryside would host guests for outdoor activities on their properties. This also happened throughout Britain, though England was the nucleus.

And in the case of little brother emulating big brother, blue-blooded, Protestant New England landowners would follow suit. However, differences in weather and changing customs would have their effect practically and sartorially.

Basically, British countryside style is a result of this lifestyle. Equestrianism, shooting, fishing, gardening, and even picnics and walks required practicality. Earth tones help you blend in with the environment during a hunt, while wellies ensure your feet stay warm and dry in the wet British weather.

Still, since these events were technically parties with structure and programming, looking put-together was also necessary.

Many of the garments that come from British country life are still timeless pieces today because of this balance.

Men’s British Country Clothing: The Essentials

Let’s take a look at all of the pieces of the British country style puzzle. 

Garments

Remember, Men’s country clothing is all about layers and gear.

Below, I’ve listed pieces that have a place in a classic British country clothing collection. Let’s start with outerwear. 

Outerwear

• Waxed jacket
• Quilted jacket with a corduroy collar
• Quilted vest
• Gilet vest
• Tweed vest
• Tweed blazer
• Tweed coat
• Sport coat
• Turtleneck sweater
• Structured utility jacket
• Norfolk jacket
• Fair isle vests and pullovers

Footwear and Accessories

• Brogue shoes
• Wellington boots
• Hunting boots
• Traditional riding boots
• Jodphur boots
• Slippers (for indoors)
• Welly socks
• Leather watch straps
• Knit ties

Hats

• Flat cap
• Trilby cap
• Deerstalker hat
• Fisherman’s hat, also known as an Irish country hat

Shirts and Pants

• Button-up shirts
• Hiking trousers
• Slacks
• Breeches
• Tweed pants
• Hunting pants in canvas, wool, or tweed
• White jeans

Fabrics, Patterns, and Tones

Now that you know what the essential pieces are, here are the colors, patterns, and textures you want them in:

• Earth tones like brown and tan, shades of green especially forest green, mustard, and dusty blues 
• Neutrals like gray, taupe, and occasional summer whites
• Brighter greens, blues, crimson, and even hunter orange can be used as accents
• Cable-knit
• Quilting
• Canvas and sailcloth
• Tweed
• Tattersall
• Gingham 
• Cashmere
• Dark leather for accessories like belts, bags, and watch straps
• Outdoor motifs (think ties with hunting dogs or game birds on them)

Brands

And, finally, here are some brands you can turn to in order to find countryside-style pieces:

• Barbour
• Holland and Cooper
• EJ Churchill
• House of Bruar
• Crow and Jester
• Burberry
• Brooks Brothers
• Ralph Lauren
• J.Press
• Le Chameau
• Hunter Boots

Putting It All Together

So how do you pull this look off in the real world? Here are some tips:

The Easiest Approach: Be Practical

Once you have the pieces, just dress for the weather and what you’re doing, and you’ll be surprised how naturally it all comes together. 

For example, start with a button-down and slacks. If it’s raining, then throw on some wellies and a quilted hunting jacket. 

If it’s cold, add layers to that button-down-and-slacks template. Try a vest (tweed, perhaps), a Norfolk jacket, then tuck your slacks into some welly socks, and cinch it with some brogues or boots.

Don’t Be Costumey

What this means may differ from situation to situation. But you’ll know when you’re out of place.

There really isn’t a way to wear old-fashioned Scottish breeches, the kind that juts out at the sides, in a modern way. However, you’ll get the same aesthetic by tucking your tweed or canvas pants into your welly socks.

Any multi-pocket jacket, whether hunting or utility, looks that much more country in an earth tone. Extra credit if it has a corduroy collar. And, it looks right at home whether you’re in the country or city. 

Make a Few Easy Swaps

Related to the first rule, you can countrify your look by swapping out any practical, neutral piece for something from the list of essentials above. 

For example, let’s say it’s the middle of summer and you opted for a polo, slacks, sneakers, and a baseball cap to block out the son. Replace the sneakers with some brogues and the baseball cap with a flat cap.

Instead of a gray shirt, go for a forest green one. Perhaps you can combine a tattersall polo with army green chinos.

Instead of one big coat during winter, go for several visible layers. Try a vest, then a blazer, then a Norfolk jacket, with a scarf tucked into your vest. 

Don’t Be Afraid of Texture and Patterns

Sweaters under vests under jackets? Yes. Go for it. Donegal over cable-knit, wrapped up in cashmere? Absolutely.

I wouldn’t do too much pattern on pattern, unless it makes sense. For example, perhaps you’re wearing a Fair Isle sweater, the tops of your welly socks could have a similar diamond pattern. 

Countryside style isn’t meant to be streamlined. The reason it doesn’t come off as overly busy despite this is because of the sensible coloring.

Try to stick to no more than three or four patterns and fabrics, then just one less color. For example, your outfit may consist of tweed, gingham, wool, and quilting in a palette of taupe, green, and hints of red. Or perhaps you’re wearing canvas, cable-knit, and cashmere in navy and dark forest green.

FAQs

Still curious about British countryside style? Here’s a quick wrap-up of everything we learned via FAQs!

What Do Country Gentlemen Wear?

Country gentlemen wear practical, farm-friendly pieces that are also structured, layered, and clean-lined. Many pieces landowners wore in the 1800s and 1900s for outdoor activities, such as shooting and riding, are still classic pieces today.

What Is British Country Style?

British country style is a pragmatic and traditional approach that evokes the work and leisure of the landed set. This includes tweed blazers, wellies, hunting attire, riding boots, and earth tones.

What Brands Fit the English Countryside Aesthetic?

Some brands include Barbour, Holland and Cooper, House of Bruar, and even certain Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren, and Burberry pieces.

Conclusion: A Lasting Effect on Menswear

We don’t always realize it, but English countryside style has dipped into basically all types of menswear. Americana, though not immediately obviously connected, also isn’t afraid of pattern mixing.

A clearer connection is its relationship with Ivy and American prep (two branches from the same tree). British country is definitely more structured; the blazer cuffs have more buttons, and they aren’t scared of pleats.

There are also more layers. The average British person experiences more rain than the average New Englander, after all.

Then there’s the colorful, almost irreverent department of American prep, the go-to-hell sartorial branch, a remix that could only happen with a post-Revolution attitude. That’s its own topic, though.

The point is British country style has long arms. But in the tradition of Britishness, they aren’t flashy about it. It’s like how today, Britain isn’t as big of a world power as it used to be. But there are English-speaking countries in basically every continent.

Plus, it’s a style that instantly upgrades you class-wise. You look discerning but in a practical, adult way. It’s the opposite of conspicuous brand-flaunting. There’s something there for everyone.

Are you a fan of men’s English countryside style? Would you try some of the essential pieces here since they’re so practical? Let us know in the comments!