What to wear?...

[Lostmarbles2021]

This is completely a first world problem and I’m totally aware how very lucky I am but I don’t want to waste money so hence the rather embarrassing request.

So we have moved to a rural area from a city. Can be very windy. I need suitable clothes. Clothes that will last as I want to be Eco conscious. I can invest money if clothes will last well but can’t just throw money around.

I need to be able to go from feeding hens/walking dog/veg patch pottering to school run and coffee with friends to a quick swim in the sea or walk on the coast without getting changed at home.

I have no idea what to wear and end up in inappropriate clothes lots (really scruffy for a coffee or too cold for after a swim).

I don’t worry about fashion but don’t want to look totally behind the times. I prefer classics to high fashion. I have no clue.

Can anyone help? What brands do you like? What lasts well? What’s comfy? I’m a pear shape and average height so can’t do skinny clothes.

Does anyone wear the same clothes for all of those activities? It feels a tall ask if you are bothered!

Personally being pear myself I’d probably wear leggings and a tunic/oversized shirt with boots but I think you’re likely to need to at least change footwear? I’d wear ankle wellies for hens/dog/school but probably put on some leather boots for coffee.

You need a decent longer length waterproof coat/Mac . Joules or Barbour may offer something stylish which would cover all.

I don’t think you can go wrong with a decent pair of jeans and a nice shirt/blouse or knitwear. What you do need though is proper outdoor gear - a fully waterproof long coat and decent waterproof boots. Soon it will be very very muddy…

Thank you both.

I'm thinking OP needed to post in Style & Beauty.

Look at Amanda on Our Yorkshire Farm, maybe, OP. In other words, any old thing will do and in whatever combo you find comfy.

Thanks for the replies.

I’m not so bothered about ‘style & beauty’ really. Just don’t want to look dreadful! I don’t want to have to have a complete change of clothes between activities and want to stay warm and dry.

What brand of long waterproof coat and waterproof boots are going to last a long time?

What brands should I start to investigate?

I’ll look at Joules and Barbour. Thanks.

I usually use Next for jeans and white stuff and Seasalt for the rest. Mountain warehouse for some stuff. I just don’t buy clothes often enough or go shopping regularly enough to know what’s out there and what is good quality.

Good quality ankle wellies? Ones that will last?

If you're going for a quick swim in the sea, you might want to get changed!

I live rurally and do all the things described and just dress for the activity/weather.

I mostly live in dungarees tbh but sometimes change into running/climbing/cycling kit. I'd highly recommend decent walking boots or shoes. I wear Merrells and Doc Martens most of the time, good thermals and layers such as cashmere are good for warmth and a decent long coat designed for the job.

I need to be able to go from feeding hens/walking dog/veg patch pottering to school run and coffee with friends to a quick swim in the sea or walk on the coast without getting changed at home.

Apologies for quoting the OP - but I’m fascinated that anyone would imagine that putting thought into what to wear for these completely, universally, normal activities is something people only do in the ‘first world’. People care about being dressed appropriately in Trinidad, in Cameroon, in Brazil … Nomads care, ‘Indigenous people’ care, Inuit people care.

So no, caring about what one wears is not a ‘first world problem’. (I realise this is meant to be an unproblematic S&B thread - but it’s galling to see the perpetuation of the idea that everyone outside the ‘first world’ is hunched over a begging bowl dressed in our cast-off rags, with never a thought to how they look.)

But anyway, when I lived in the country I wore a combination of: partner’s old tweeds and school sports kit, farm shop wellies and overalls, and Droopy & Browns …

I’m rural and outdoors walking dogs… then school run/business meetings/coffees in town…
I wear a Merino wool jumper
Smart(ish) jeans
Dubarry or Clark’s heeled boots
Barbour jacket
Works in most settings!

Look at Seasalt for long winter coats. I live by the sea on the east coast and my Seasalt coat does an epic job at keeping me snug in howling gales and sideways rain.

My 3 essentials are neoprene lined wellies, waterproof mid calf leather boots (used to have a fantastic pair from Merrill but they died and don’t seem to make them anymore- currently have a goretex pair of Fly London ones as I don’t really like the fit of Dubarry type ones) and goretex trainers. Generally wear skinny jeans and layered long jumpers (I’m also pear shaped but still love skinny jeans) or running tights and hoodies if I’m not expecting to do anything smart. Can go from work to shops to coffee to dog walk to rugby pitch side just by swapping boots over and maybe putting on a thicker jacket - wellies and big jacket tend to live in the boot of my car with the dig crate!

EdmontinaDonsAutumnalHues

A bit unnecessary to be so ansty about this. I meant that asking about what brands may cost more but last isn’t really a ‘problem’ worthy of asking for advice. I just feel like I’m being a bit of a twat for even asking.

imnotdefensiveyouare

Campfirewood

Bogoroditse

checkedroses

Thank you. Brilliant advice. I’d not heard of several of those brands. I’ll check them out. Good to know things will work well and last.

Brrr. Not jeans - they get so cold! I’d go for leggings (sorry all!) and long jumpers. Leggings are comfy and warm and quick to wash and dry. I’m usually pretty muddy after walking ddog. They can look nice especially with ankle wellies. You don’t have to look like Barb Royle in them!!

Ankle or knee high boots in a durable material but not wellies. Jeans or decent leggings tucked in to boots. A shirt under a cable knit jumper with a gilet or coat over the top depending on the activity/weather.

See Kate Middleton for inspiration.

Jeans are good for most things,but also some cord would be lovely too!

I would wear-

Brands to look for
Celtic and. Co
Finister
Toast
Uniqlo- lovely merino or cashmere
Polarn O Pret
North face- can’t beat their thermoball down jackets
Blundstone ankle boots
Boden still have the best Breton style tops
Barbour for a wax jacket

I’d wear
Slim leg navy cords, slightly rolled
Brown blundstone boots with wooly socks
Grey plain l/s top
Grey cashmere crew neck sweater
Green classic Barbour jacket
Carharrt wool beanie

It does depend on how rural and how muddy. I live in Rockfish wellies. Comfortable well made and last a full year (lesser wellies are worn out very quickly)
Barbour coats really last well. Joules stuff is nice, I have plenty, but it’s not particularly long lasting.
I hate jeans, cold to wear and take a long time to dry. I’m trialling alternatives.
Dublin boots are very good

Awesome ideas. The idea of taking inspiration from Kate Middleton has made me smile though. We are very different shapes

Amazing! Loads more brands to check out. I may need to up my work hours though! Thank you so much for the inspiration everyone!

Uniqlo heat tech leggings are great under other trousers as an extra layer if you are a frozen one like me. Also makes wearing jeans much cozier. They also have camisoles and other layers that are lovely in winter. I live in Sweden and it gets cold and muddy here.
Good shoes as well, but I’m partial to non-dressy hicking boots. With spikes for winter.

Dubarry boots work in almost all autumn/winter/spring weather. In summer you'll probably want some walking sandals e.g. Teva.

In general country or equestrian clothing brands ike Aigle and Schoffel should offer styish options. Good hat and gloves for winter will compensate for 1 layer too few or a thinner jacket.

I live in merino jumpers. Try Findra, Isobaa if you don't like Icebreaker as that can look too obviously sporty.

Howies are a Welsh brand with a lot of stylish outdoor clothes too and more of a cycling heritage so slightly younger and trendier depending on your age.

Also try Scandi brands like Didrikson, Fjallraven, Rains. Stylish and functional

What are those boots are they gabour? I can't remember but they are lovely. My fat calf's wouldn't get into them.

Yes @hemhem has mentioned them already. No idea where I got gabour from.