Recently moved to the countryside, everyone seems to wear the same things. What should I wear? Wardrobe update needed!

[MilosMum82]

I don't want to 'out' myself so I'm going to try keep this post generic...

I've recently moved from the city to a rural countryside area, mainly because DH and I both grew up in the countryside and want our children to have that experience also. Context aside, my city wardrobe is not practical what so ever here, I'm swapping heels for wellies...

I've noticed that a lot of people seem to pretty much wear the same thing e.g. those Schoffel fleeces and Durbarry boots, with a bit of Barbour and Boden thrown in. Is there some sort of clothing initiation for the country folk these days? Has anyone else noticed particular clothing brands and items being worn by majority of the country population? What types of clothing or brands / items would you suggest I look into? Don't get me wrong I like the country style I just don't want to stick out too much as a former country city life reject...

Brands are for sheep.

Wear what is sensible for what you are doing. Why would you do anything else?

I live in the countryside now and previously lived in a city. Never occurred to me that I would stick out. Wear what you bloody like.

Another person who doesn't get why you need to know some brand names in order to 'fit in'.

I live rurally and don't wear any of those makes. Try Plümo if you want a more interesting variation where you pretend to be a scandi fisherman's wife.

I'm guessing that if I were to move to the countryside my money would go on decent waterproof comfortable footwear and coat and the rest from wherever.
I'm guessing the local shops know what is most popular and practical so I'd go there plus it's more convenient.
I would also quiz a friendly like minded neighbour on what best to kit myself out with.

I live in the country. I am wearing a denim cut off mini and a batwing jumper today. Wear what makes you feel like you. If you are feeling wobbly, you can't go wrong with a pair of jeans and a stripy top. What is YOUR style? Don't worry about everybody else's honestly. I do worry when I occasionally go to London, but then I remember that nobody cares anyway. It is how you feel about yourself that matters.

Well in the country there are

• People involved in farming/horses/outdoor activities/YFC who wear completely functional clothes but might prone to the Joules/expensive boots end of the Countrywide store off duty.

• The other 95% wear exactly what you would anywhere else with addition of good wellies and waterproof for walking the dog. Especially as most will work in towns or offices or not out in the fields at any rate.

There is no kind of initiation where the quality of your barbour jacket is checked out before you're allowed in the pub. I think you are confusing "country set" with "anyone who lives in a village".

Hey. If you are quick you might get along to an agricultural/country show where there will be loads of stalls selling the kind of clothes you are looking for! That's the only place I've ever seen them either on sale or being worn.

I'm in the country, have lived/farmed for years and wear whatever's practical, never thought about brands so it's whatever I can buy from Sainsburys or local agricultural store - a good waterproof and non-slip sturdy wellies plus jeans, fleece etc.
So long as it's washable and warm I'll wear it!
I don't think most country dwellers give much thought to brands, only those moving from the town and the 'country set'.

Some people might call where I live 'the country', but we have a main road and a co op with a short walk

Yep to waterproof coat (mine is from Joules, is waterproof and navy) and Wellington boots, but that is because I walk a dog. I have friends who live here who don't own wellies, as they avoid all things rural, but love village life.

People wear their own style. The only thing is, we tend to get less 'fashionable' stuff in local h&m/Zara/Primark. I have a totally different shopping experience if I go to a city in these shops, than I do in a local town. Whereas Fat Face/White Stuff/Joules have the same ranges around the country. It's really frustrating if I see something I like in a magazine, but can't order it online, or want to try it on rather than send loads of parcels back and forth (lunchtime closing anyone?)

Unless you actually work outdoors, you may need the outdoor gear even less than you think as you have to bloody drive everywhere.
I grew up in the countryside and did far more walking when I moved to a city.

The other thing is that someone who grew up in the country and moved back to a similar area 10 or so years later would usually know what sort of things people wore. Unless there is a bit of class movement going on as well, or a North/ South change or something.