So, today I saw someone in a "hacking jacket"...

[BelleDameSansMerci]

...as they were known in the 80s. Worn with jeans. I then see there is something similar in the Joules catalogue. Are they back? Will I, once again, be putting my hair up in tweedy flat cap thing too? Or, are some looks too tragic to revisit?

Were they on a horse?

No... Having a coffee. Didn't look as if she'd ever been near a horse (generalising madly to make point).

I bought one from Zara about five years ago. I loved it but am too fat cool to wear it again.

Ooooh fashion led by Downton ? Not one for a pinny though

I've been pondering "the look". I think I'm too fat- old now.

Oooh, munstermum, you may have it! That's what I get for watching Spooks...

what is a hacking jacket? is it like a barbour quilted jacket?

oh is it one of those nipped in at the waist things they wear on hunt rides?

No, it's a tweed jacket cut in at waist...

X post... Just finding a pic.

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=hacking+jacket+women%27s&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&tbo=d&tbm=isch&tbnid=-LLj3ccGqAl1YM:&imgrefurl=www.mad4ponies.com/acatalog/pony_ladies_huntingdon_show_jacket.html&docid=BaMkSMIhYxmB0M&w=250&h=300&ei=tZGATozGCdK08QPqpfywAQ&zoom=1&biw=1024&bih=690" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This kind of thing.

I actually really liked mine - it was a 'fashion' one that I used to wear with jeans and Chelsea boots a black polo neck and leather gloves.

I used to get chatted up loads when I wore that especially when I wore my tortoishell specs as well.

[resolves to diet]

Redruby, that the look I was thinking of only without the polo neck... Not sure what instead though.

This is the Joules one but I think a real one, properly fitting, would look better. Not sure I can carry it off - last time I was about 16; I turned 46 yesterday (although I don't look a day over 45).

if you go to a country event I am sure you'll be put off these for life. I've been to a few and teh spectacle of women in their early 30s wearing jackets like that, or barbours, with their hair in an Alice band and a lady Di shirt cures you of any idea they can look good.

and then there's the bulky horsey women in their 50s and 60s wearing them...

I went to Uni in 1977 wearing a pair of jeans and a blue tweed hacking jacket. Memories.

I bought mine in Zara about five years ago! I used to team it with a polo neck or a white cotton shirt.

Just do not be tempted to buy a hobby horse!

Hatwoman

How very dare you!

No I think you've got to be very slim, tanned, have long honey coloured hair and look like you could easily have stepped out of either a Ferrari or a Jilly Cooper book to get away with that look.

Some things are best left to the young.

Now if the jacket was in the similar cut, but black.....

I think the Downton fashion thing definitely has legs. I love a good Edwardian bustle and lace up boots!

Headfairy

Yep - you have just described moi!

excellent, then enjoy your hacking jacket :o Just don't toss that honey coloured mane of hair near me or I'm likely to hack it off with a pair of sissors

I am after a jacket like that, think I can get away with it at 31 and a size 14/16?

H and M have them they also have cardigans with the leather elbow patch, remember them!!

I agree re same style in black. and I acually revise what I just said - some people can look amazing in them - but I think they've got to be doing it for real iyswim. alongside the frumpy-alice-band-good-breeding-stock-gone-to-seed types and the damn-fine-horse-woman type you ocassionally got the hot-young-filly - she's the one who can carry it off.

Think we can blame Kate Middleton (and family) for the new popularity of the 'horsey' look, IMO, anyway.

Think I'll give the geography teacher cardigan a miss!

Yep, I think I am too old. I'm quite slim and do have long hair, dark, but nt sure I can do this look. Hey ho...