If you're Really Rural, how do you mix practicality and style?

[ElspethFlashman]

Last year I moved from the Big Smoke to The Sticks. More tractors than cars go past my house and there's mud and puddles absolutely everywhere.

My wardrobe has gone to pot. A fleece and baggy jeans with a raincoat and wellies. I suspect half the time I look like an actual Man now. Good god. But my previous wardrobe of thin pretty things (and thin pretty shoes) seems absolutely useless.

Is my future fleece-lined? Stylish country bumpkins of MN, how do you do it? How do you stay warm and dry and practical whilst still looking vaguely modern?

I am not a long boot lover (other than my wellies). I prefer a good pair of walking boots and big socks over jeans or thick leggings (lines).

Tend to wear with tunic style top, layers and I have a coat that is a windcheater thing. Had it years so not sure who it is by.

Skinny jeans and my Le Chameau boots are my staple.

I wear skinny jeans, long sleeved tops, Dublin river boots and a fitted soft shell superdry jacket if it's really cold. Hunter wellies if very muddy but they aren't the warmest.

When I want to be a bit smarter I wear ankle length brown leather boots

I also wear a lot of casual dresses with black leggings and boots - I have lots of boots!
I wear vests under the dresses and cardigans on top. And scarves!

We are 40 mins from a clothes shop so I guess that's pretty rural! Unless you count ASDA...

V. rural here - N. Scotland.
Agree with previous posters re Didricksons (Seasalt tincloth doesn't cope with mountain rain, in my experience) and Aigle boots, though I don't really like wellingtons. Vastly prefer laced boots that can be adjusted to fit and offer support on uneven ground. For muddy/icy fields (nothing tests waterproofing like long wet grass) then Merrell or Keen boots are good, and some have anti-slip soles, as well. For serious walking I like Scarpa boots - but I have fairly narrow feet and Scarpa are well-known for narrow fit. Inside laced boots, I like Bridgedale merino midweight socks - but many other brands are available.

They are as unstylish as one can get, but a decent pair of waterproof over-trousers makes life so much more comfortable.

Lands End down coats are indeed very warm but the one I have - cost over £100 and only just over a year old = has 'cracked' at points of wear and sheds minute irritating feathers that get in eyes, nose and maybe lungs (??!!!). And is only shower-resistant. Won't be buying that again. Have replaced it with a Didrickson's padded one. Artificial fibre filling but not noticeably sweaty.

Agree with previous posters re layers and fine but close-knit fabrics - cashmere, merino - for indoor wear. Silk thermals = very good idea. I like big scarves, as well, but I know that they are no longer fashionable. I do like Seasalt cords (tapered and warm), but I would not call them stylish, either. For summer I like Rohan skinny jeans - they don't cling like normal wet denim - but I expect they are fashion anathema.

Crofting friends who are out and about at all hours and weathers with sheep etc wear yachting-style waterproof overalls. And old jeans, and very heavy-duty waterproofs. Newcomers wear leather boots and Barbours. I've only seen Joules on tourists.

My find is Australian farm boots - Blundstone.

I have the ones with a city sole but if I lived somewhere muddier would get the more traditional ones.

Work with jeans/trousers and dresses and thick tights.

Icebreaker thermals & cashmere would be my other suggestions.

Only you will know the local vibe but my experience of bits of farming Scotland is that when not actually working on the farm a nice tweedy coat is perfectly do-able. For "dirty" tasks though you need a bashed up Barbour (or raincoat).
Do you have a county store? Do they exist in Ireland?

E Cornwall rural. It's rarely cold here, but often very wet, so I wear wellies (have had several sorts, but not Hunters or Dunlops uncomfortable ) or hiking boost, and Didrikson coats, warm or temperate versions ( I have both), over jeans and cashmere jumper/Uniqlo T shirts. A scarf for style points. And yes, I have waterproof over trousers for the foulest weather. I also have a cupboard full of gear that didn't do the job, some of it expensive, that I spit at regularly.

I also quite like to think I am presentable. to anyone, anywhere (no red carpets please). I'm deluding myself, clearly.

Country gal and farmers girlfriend here! I refer to myself as 50% princess 50%redneck! Lol Generally speaking I kick about the farm looking a state but when leaving said farm I try to make the most of it. I do have an office job so get to dress nice there.

Find yourself a good pair of smart but practical boots or two! I love my Ariat Windermeres. they have a good sole, warm and comfy/practical for on the farm but can be reasonably smart with jeans. I am also of the belief that actually just because your in the muddy sticks doesn't mean you can't look nice (I need to tell myself that when I am mooching about in ripped (between the leg) jeans and the OHs oh so warm fleeces) but I find I feel better if I make a slight effort. So decent boots and a decent coat are the best starting point! I find a shirt under a jumper gives a good warm layer. I also own several fleece bodywarmers for under jackets. the young farmers all wear their fleecy bodywarmers as outwear but I use mine as an extra layer when needed under a jacket. It is handy even under a blazer (tweed?) if you leave it unzipped if wearing the blazer open. Always have spare shoes in the car for entering civilisation.....also always keep spare wellies in the car in case you come back from civilisation to a very wet and muddy yard!

I know a farmers daughte who is the most glamorous person I have met! But still gets mucked in lambing etc. Never without a full face of make up and hair done! No idea how she does it....

There are some good country style instagrammers about - not all practical for day to day country living but good for some inspiration - Emily Charlotte, Karen and Clan, Harriet lily are the firsat I can think of. If oyu search #countrystyle or #countrystyleblogger you should get some ideas!

And yes to the thermal vests for underneath!

Tha ks for the Instagram tips!

My M&S Super Thermal V necks are going to arrive today or tomorrow and I'm going to break out some lighter cotton blouses over them.

I'm having a complete overhaul of my old clothes to see what I've previously thought was unsuitable but actually may be workable with different layers.

Another problem living in the countryside is that a lot of the time people don't actually see you that much unless you go to town. So in your local area the temptation is to go "Well no one is looking at me, fuck it" and you walk up the road and meet a neighbour and go shiiiiiiit I look like I've just finished lambing..... Except I've no lambs! 😂

Loving the Blundstone boots........ thanks to the PP for that tip!!

I dont bother unless im specifically going somewhere nice, there is a clear division of country clothes and town clothes!

Chainsaw chaps and sports bra?

Where did you find that picture of me?????

The key is to spend proper money on great boots and coats that, looked after, will last for ages. I love brown leather Ariats and Le Chameau wellies - always with presentable socks. Re wax your Barbour or if the style isn't doing it for you get another wax jacket that's more fitted, has a belt or whatever to make a more flattering shape over your layers. As well as over the bum length waxes I have a lovely smart little Barbour jacket, nearly a blazer but a lot more casual which I wear all spring and autumn without looking to try hard which some of the Joules jackets might round your way. Re waxing is easy but very much worth the time and makes your outerwear last for 10/20 years depending how much hard wear it gets.

Then you can spend as much or as little as you like on skinny jeans/ skirts/ dresses shirts/ jumpers etc. Quality brown boots make Primark skinnies with a Rydale shirt look fab. A good brown belt also makes your cheap skinnies look more expensive. Or I like a Joules jean if I don't think I'm going to be immediately subjected to muddy paws/ hands.

A good hat, fedora/ flat cap/ bobble hat / whatever you can get away with where you're living.

ALDI did some Schoffel rip off gilets last year and, having bought the navy one I took the actual Schoffel off my birthday list. It has an internal drawstring that nips in your waist so perfect.

Sounds like you have lots of overlooked clothes to restyle - enjoy!

Ah Partridge I missed out on the Aldi fleeces but all my friends got them and rave about them! They were all over my instagram feed at one point! I am hoping they come back. I buy the Jack Pyke bodywarmers as I can't really justify schoffel for all the various colours I -need- want

Leather Ugg boots not waterproof - I found out yomping around fields last week.

Get some horse riders waterproof trousers, the kind with full length zips up the legs. So easy to get on and off.

If I'm too be in muddy fields I use waders. Great as don't pull off in in deep mud. I use them when checking horses on the way to client sites - smart trousers stay dry and clean underneath even when I fall on m'arse!

Good god the price of those Schoffel gilets!!!

Are they made from the woven hair of babies?!

Besides, the funnel neck collar is the sticking point. Drives me batty.

There's a lot of Jack Murphy around here. I suspect that's the brand you could get away with the most. I'm going to Dublin at Easter and there's a JM Outlet store up in Balbriggan that I might check out as I'll only be about 10 mins away.

Where did you find that picture of me?????

Oddly enough, in our family album!

Apart from wellies, do you need anything especially for the country though? Surely it gets just as cold and wet in town.

Rural Cornwall here. I live in jeans, DM lined Chelsea boots and cashmere jumpers. Always a merino vest. Variety of coats including tweed, waterproof etc. Haven’t found anything perfect yet. We are coastal so have added issue of not wanting to look like I am on holiday yet I spend a fair amount of time on the beach / surfing.

Woven hair of babies . The colours of the Schoffels are awesome but navy goes with the majority of stuff that I have and at 10% ish of the Schoffel price please please please ALDI do the gilets again! (In aubergine this time).

Happy outlet shopping and don't forget the charity shops for gilets etc they're fairly easy to spot on the rails and a nice bright coloured one that you wouldn't necessarily want to pay full price for as your go to item is a nice change for a sunny day

You may need hypnotherapy or similar to get over the funnel collar issue, it's holding back your integration into country style

We did an interesting tot up once and found that the contents of our boot and coat rack was worth more than the combined value of all our electronic items

BTW I just bought this jumper and it is super super WARM and as soft as a cloud and it's 50% off and is actually bright and cheery and feminine. And you can go a size down as it comes up big. Probably as warm as the fleece!

I don’t find Barbours or similar to be warm. I like down puffs coats and jackets, everything from Ralph Lauren, Tumi, Gerard Darrel, Max Mara and Uniglo. If you are warm you have cracked it!