British Outdoor Wear: A Photographic Celebration of a Great Heritage

In this feature, introduced in the previous post, below, I explore traditional British outdoor wear. I worked with photographer Tommy Martin in the beautiful fells of Cumbria to show how wool and cotton-based clothes are a practical and stylish alternative to modern technical wear. I've selected tweeds, waxed cottons, knitwear, canvas and leather, some backed with modern waterproof materials. I've included a mix of heritage and modern brands selling traditional country and outdoor clothing and accessories. Links to suppliers are at the end of this feature.

Above: Shackleton Signature jumper: Shackleton. Tweed breeks: Cordings. Storm Gore-Tex boots: Musto Countrywear. Dog collar: Tim Hardy, The Worcestershire Leather Company. Links below

I've looked for clothing that is warm, practical, comfortable, weatherproof and durable. Most, but not all, of what you see here is British-made. Clothes tend to be muted in colour, reflecting their surroundings, unlike the garishness of modern technical outdoor wear. Above all, I've tried to show how it's possible to look stylish while enjoying the Great Outdoors, whether for sport, work or leisure.

Above: Canvas jacket: Shackleton. Cashmere scarf: Country Attire. Stick: Classic Canes. Tweed shooting waistcoat and breeks: Cordings. Storm Gore-Tex leather boots: Musto. Canvas Dalby country bag: Croots. Links below

Above 2 images: Harris tweed Sherpa jacket with Ventile hood: Nigel Cabourn. Jumper: Shackleton. Canvas country bag: Croots. Leather Gore-Tex boots: Musto. Jeans: Grey Fox's own. Links below

Above: Hat: Curzon Classics. Tweed shooting waistcoat and breeks: Cordings.  Ventile shooting coat and cashmere scarf: Country Attire. Leather Gore-Tex boots: Musto. Stick: Classic Canes. Links below

Above 2 images: Litchfield tweed shooting coat: Farlows. Hat: Shackleton. Silk scarf: Geoff Stocker. Quilted waxed gilet: Curzon Classics. Byland bridle leather cartridge bag: Croots. Jeans & boots: Grey Fox's own. Watch: Fortis from Page & Cooper. Links below

Above: Shooting coat: Grenfell. Waxed gilet: Curzon Classics. Silk scarf: Geoff Stocker. Links below

Above: Pea coat: Shackleton. Cotton tartan scarf: Wayside Flower. Blue Guernsey jumper: Wayside Flower. Links below

Above 2 images: Waxed cotton lightweight cagoule and cotton scarf: Wayside Flower. Vintage climbing breeches, socks and boots: Grey Fox's own. Stick: Mr Dennis Wall of Ulverston, Cumbria. Links below

Above: Norton Brown waxed jacket: Curzon Classics. Cashmere check scarf: Country Attire, Canvas bag: Croots. Stick: Mr Dennis Wall of Ulverston, Cumbria. Other clothes; Grey Fox's own. Links below

Above: Tweed three-piece suit and Tattersall check shirt: Cordings of Piccadilly. Tie: Cravat Club. Links below

Above: Quilted military style jacket with red piping (bespoke): Barrington Ayre. Links below

Above: Signature jumper: Shackleton Clothing. Cords: Curzon Classics, Veldtschoen construction Cairngorm derbies: Cheaney. Labrador-head stick: Classic Canes. Bridle leather dog lead and collar: Tim Hardy, Worcestershire Leather Co. Links below

Above: Tweed half-Norfolk jacket with action back and Tattersall check shirt: Curzon Classics. Wool/silk country tie: Cordings of Piccadilly. Cords: HebCoTro (Hebden Bridge Trouser Co.) Leather GoreTex boots: Musto Countrywear. Links below

Above: Green tweed quilted blouson: Curzon Classics. Check cashmere scarf: Country Attire. Cords and boots as in previous photo above. Links below

Above: Hampton Mackintosh raincoat with leg straps for riding, made in the traditional Mackintosh bonding method in Scotland: Cordings of Piccadilly. Signature jumper: Shackleton. Cords and boots as in the previous images above. Links below

Links, Notes & Acknowledgments

I'm particularly grateful to the brands who helped fund this shoot; they know who they are. Others provided products specifically for the shoot; others did so on previous occasions. Some simply lent products, but all helped in some way. Thanks also to Tommy Martin whose superb fashion and landscape photography skills made the shoot the success it was.

To the fells, becks, tarns, skies and seas of Cumbria

There are, of course, many other brands I could have included. I've tried to cover large and small suppliers. Britain's best known waxed jacket supplier didn't respond to my approaches for inclusion here, but their absence has meant that I've been able to introduce you to the small, but perfectly-formed, Curzon Classics. Although based in Spain, its British owners have their waxed jackets made in the UK and their quality and pricing is excellent. I was also pleased to be able to include Farlows, whose own-brand new British-made country clothing collection is quite superb. I will talk more about them, and some of the other brands mentioned here, in future features over the next month or two.

I have other photoshoots planned. Please contact me if you'd like your products to be included.

Contact me

What are your favourite pieces from those I've chosen? If you have any comments, queries, favourite pieces of outdoor wear of your own, please let me know. You can comment below or e-mail me.

Links to suppliers:

Barrington Ayre Bespoke tailors
Classic Canes Canes and walking sticks

Cordings Tweeds, tailoring and outdoorwear 

Cravat Club Silk cravats, ties, accessories

Croots Bags for outdoor, country and sports use

Curzon Classics British-style outdoor wear and tweeds

Country Attire Outdoor wear
Dennis Wall Sticks
Farlows Outdoor and sporting wear
Geoff Stocker Silk cravats, ties and accessories

Grenfell Outdoor and outer wear
HebTroCo Trousers made in Hebden Bridge Yorkshire

Musto Outdoor wear for country and water sports
Nigel Cabourn High quality menswear with military and adventure heritage
Page & Cooper Watches
Shackleton Outdoor wear and accessories with an adventure heritage
Wayside Flower Outdoor wear, knitwear and accessories
Tim Hardy, Worcestershire Leather Company Leather belts and accessories

Photoshoot completed and on the way home.

Above: Canvas bag: Croots. Harris tweed Sherpa jacket: Nigel Cabourn.