Anyone stylish live in the countryside?

[Gotheeunicorns]

We live quite rurally. We spend a lot of time outdoors. With lockdown our only real activity has been walking. I'd love to have a stylish wardrobe but as soon as I walk out of the door I'm covered in mud (4dc and 2 large dogs) so it just seems utterly pointless even bothering to look nice. At home I'm generally cleaning or cooking so always seem to end up filthy there too.

I do work and have to look smartish but my office is the least glamorous place (a crappy portacabin) where warmth is a priority above all else.

Does anyone live a rural life and manage to look half decent? If so what are you key pointers to not looking like a tramp?!

Thanks

Buy decent makes that are designed for your lifestyle.
If you are outdoors a lot, wear technical clothing.

Thermals for the office if it is cold there - Uniqlo and M&S are good places to find them.

Chunky boots are popular - grenson nanette boots or blundstone are cool.

Acai trousers, sorel winter boots, a good proper coat, and a decent hat.
I won't pretend I don't usually look a bit dishevelled by the end of the day, but that's pretty much my uniform these days!

I get it . Countryside dweller ( most of the year) here too. I have nice clothes that I wear in the city ( rest of the year) and I do bring some favourites here too, but it's stuff that I know I can wear with Dubarrys or that sit nicely under jackets etc .

Since zoom took off. I can't really just wear jeans and jumpers all day, so I have replicated a few silk shirts that I know are cut well and suit me snd can look smart for business calls etc . But I do always have to wear wellies to the car, no matter what else I am wearing! Makes life fun if it's a ballgown ! Just enjoy being where you are and embrace things that make you feel good ( for me it's silk /lace vest tops under the softest jumpers !! ) and wear a smile wherever you go !!!

I don’t live in the country but my aunt does, and is incredibly stylish. She wears cashmere jumpers and sheepskin gilets rather than polyester fleeces, whatever the latest sunglasses are, and silk neckerchiefs instead of necklaces. Like a Ralph Lauren version of the Celtic Sheepskin catalogue. I think it does help to be rich.

I live in leggings and jumpers, wellies or Dubarrys and covered in muddy paw prints all day but I always make sure I have a full face of makeup and my hair done

I live in the country and I'm a right scruff most of the time. But then I'm not rich 🤷‍♀️

I get it totally. I grew up in London. Moved to the country and it seems most people aren't too bothered about appearance. I work in a freezing office too. But l am fed up living in jeans. I am going to get smarter for work if it kills me (which it might!!) Thermals are a great idea. Trousers and soft jumpers...ahh bliss...

To be fair we all look the same!
Sadly we can tell who are the city dwellers a mile off...makes me chuckle 🤭 they are so unprepared with their clothes.

The actual people who live here all year round - Decent boots, decent coats and hats we all wear hats. In the winter is cold/wet/muddy/icy/snowy. Decent thermals are a must! Long sleeved top, I normally buy from M&S and primark 🤷‍♀️

I have to admit I’ve spent a lot of time in my leggings and skinny jeans this year. So have most of the village dwellers.

MerryChristmasToYou those Grenson Nanette boots look great. I shall be saving for those especially as they do half sizes which is rare.

Glad it's not just me. I need to start buying for the life I have not the one I want!

Natural fibres, buy the most expensive things (not fashion labels) that you can afford. Same rule as everywhere. I do still look like a tramp though.

I suppose it depends on the definition of stylish. City-office or party clothes for a dog walk don't strike me as stylish (fair play to anyone who can pull it off though, I admire you)

I think, basics for your lifestyle that fit well and suit you in colour. eg instead of any old jeans, a shape that you like, enjoy wearing, fits you well, and suits what you are going to do. The mud will wash off and you'll feel better wearing them than a pair that doesn't suit. Same with tops etc I like polo/roll necks on me, so I wear a lot of them with jeans.

If I'm in town I put on smartish boots and a good coat and I'm done, if I'm going for a walk I pull on waterproof, scarf, and walking boots, and I'm done.

For children and dogs lifestyle - personally I prefer merino to cashmere, cheaper, easier to find as a basic (Uniqlo, M&S, Hobbs in sale), easier to wash.

Don't rule out synthetics. M&S is pretty good for acrylic jumpers that look like wool, and they last years. Of course wool is better but doesn't dry as easily. Wool is more self-cleaning though.

Dark denim is better than lighter washes, brush dry mud off.

As a pp said, the right boots and coat are brilliant for looking good in the winter.

Nobody stylish lives in the countryside. Unless you count Barbour jackets, Dubarry boots and a smell of wet dog.

Get yourself down to your local country store and be amazed

INeedADayOff wrote

Sadly we can tell who are the city dwellers a mile off...makes me chuckle 🤭 they are so unprepared with their clothes.

How fucking dull must life in the country be if this is how you get your chuckles?

Went out for a country walk with friends from a city's suburbs (not this year).

It rains a lot in that part of the country. I was the only one wearing wellingtons.

@Gotheeunicorns keep an eye on the Grenson website, in last years ‘summer’ sale, some of the nanette’s had huge discounts.

I live rurally. I pretty much like during the winter in Acai trousers, thermals and Cashmere jumpers. Decent boots which deal with mud and wet, same with a coat. Not sure if it’s ‘stylish’ as such but better than it could be!

Countryside scruff here I think. I can spot tourists and second home owners by their perfect smart attire, mud avoidance and overload of tweed! I do quite like a sensible amount of tweed though.

I'd love to be smarter but when it's just for a traipse around the fields it seems pointless.

@OutedByHobby and how stressed must you be in your city.

I love dog walk clothing though I don't live in the country these days. I wrap up with decent coat, boots, hat, but still have makeup and jewellery on. OP I'd be keeping my money for non-country days or accessories such as a really good make of watch, stylish jewellery etc.

@MerryChristmasToYou

Went out for a country walk with friends from a city's suburbs (not this year).

It rains a lot in that part of the country. I was the only one wearing wellingtons.

How can you go for a proper walk in wellies? If I did that my feet would freeze , and the soles are thin, and there's just no substance or support! Just doesn't sound practical at all!

@LaPampa and others recommending Acai trousers. Could you link to the exact ones you'd recommend? Are they true to size (I'll be ordering online).

Surely those nanette boots aren't compatible with mud? That would drive me mad cleaning those little holes.

Why? The perks of country life are that you can wear any old shit. I save my makeup and dresses for when I have to return to commuting, in the meantime I'm wallowing in my muddy joggers and wellies.

@Otherplans I have the thermal winter ones which sadly are sold out now as I wanted to get another pair. I’m tempted by the mid weight ones with thermals under. I’m a 10/12. I wear 28R

@DelphiniumBlue wellies way too cold and unsupportive for a “proper walk”. I wear walking boots for that (moor, coast path) but sorels for just on the beach or mooching with the kids.

Thanks LaPampa they'd be ideal. Hope they come back in stock!