How to look like a slyly stylish country girl?

[ThingsForBingToddler]

I am new to rural life and live in a village.

There’s a few men and woman who just look effortlessly stylish - They clearly look like they’re busy with working dogs and being all things ‘country’

How can I get the look? So far on my list is a green pair of Le Chem Wellington Boots 😍

Is Barbour the sort of coat I’m looking for? Or something else?

I have a working Lab (9 weeks) so keen to look the part in some gun dog puppy classes

Describe the type of outfits the women you have seen were wearing.

Please, please tell me you haven’t bought the lab as an accessory.

Le Chem wellies (always misspell it), and a green type of coat. They look really put together despite being obviously mucky is the only way I can describe it

No! I’ve wanted one for years and just finally have the space and time

Personally I wouldn't try too hard too soon and build up slowly. Most elegant country wear has a bit of a lived in feel. It is usually classic cuts and practical materials. If you go out and out country wear too quickly so it all looks new, you will stand out like a sore thumb in most places.

The wellies are a good place to start, and a decent coat. Personally I wouldn't get too hung up on a brand but get a coat that fits you well and meets dog walking criteria.

Buy a second hand Barbour, Le Chameau are a bit too showy, Aigle are more country.
The key is not too look too “all the gear and no idea”

Welcome to the countryside! Less is always more out here in the sticks and a brand new wardrobe of labelled gear will stand out a mile. You can pay out for some nice staples and Barbour is always a good start for a nice gilet and jacket but tbh you can pick up good country essentials for a fraction of the price at country stores. Most country folk are less brand focused and more about the function and warmth so rug up and dress well for the weather. A nice scarf and shirt is always a good start to elevate country chic, but the best thing you can do is be warm and confident in what you're wearing.

Outdoorsy people in the country tend to buy for quality and longevity. This means things are expensive to buy at first the per wear cost is good. The reason they buy barbours is because they last ages and you can get them recoated for a very reasonable price.

So instead of focusing on buying things to look exactly like your neighbours, choose quality things that fit you well.

Also, you will never see outdoorsy people have everything brand new and box fresh. Vinted is your friend.

Did you not watch the Jilly Cooper adaptation Rivals on Netflix? I suggest you do.

If you buy every ‘perfect’ item / brand at once you will not look effortless, and people will laugh at you behind your back.

I suggest you wear your own clothes, supplemented by well-used stuff from your partner (if male), or brother, or from the farm shop down the road. Nothing flashy. Settle in and work out what you really need - then find the things gradually, pre-owned.

Finally I can make a useful contribution to Style and Beauty!

Here you go:
https://www.newforestclothing.co.uk/collections/womens-jackets
Everything from elegant tweed to the sort of stuff that can keep you dry in horizontal rain.
https://www.rydale.com also worth a look.

I'd recommend Muckboot wellies as being less try-hard than Le Chams.

The other thing to do is go to a country show and find the inevitable enormous stall selling a wide-array of caps, shirts and mud-coloured clothing.
Or see what's on sale at the ag suppliers (they often do clothes - that's where I got my wellies and one of my smarter coats).

Tweed is amazingly hard-wearing - I know a bloke who's been shooting and beating in the same tweed coat for the last 30-odd years.

As @Commonsenseisnotsocommon says, 'rug up and dress well for the weather.'

And acquire it in stages. If you have a dog, it won't take long for it to look lived in,

Old Barbour. Wellies (Le Chameau are fine). Old jumper - Aran or any old wool jumper. Skinnies or jodhs tucked into the wellies.

I don't have a Barbour, they aren't particularly warm. Choose a shooting jacket, maybe a Seeland or a Schoffel, a few decent sweaters, jeans that fit well, and walking boots. You need to be warm and comfortable walking across wet meadows.

I have some hunter wellies too but only for very wet days. I have a Barbour hat that looks a bit like a Cossack hat for really cold weather.

Basically you need clothes that mud or dog hair will brush off when dry. Add a couple of colourful scarves

Not the long Dubarry boots or anything too like going for a full day shooting tweed. The jackets mentioned above are good. Barbour do some nice jackets that aren't waxed. Understated sturdy boots, completely agree on the wool jumpers, cotton checked shirts are great for not showing up the dirt. Collars look good in general. Aiming for smart but not showy. Not too much leisureware, nothing very light in colour as bottoms unless its the summer. Green dunlop wellies are fine, I put nice insoles in mine. Sainsburys Tu does quite nice Joules style stuff often. Kids smart and possibly more old fashioned/ younger than in towns. Be yourself but in my village this works for me. For summer boden do some nice floral village fete type dresses.

Wool jumpers from charity shops is my go to in winter. A good coat. Quality wellies that last. NOT HUNTER.

but tbh one of the joys of country life is not feeling the pressure of fashion so much. It’s about functional stuff that lets you get out there and enjoy it.

If you want a warm and waterproof coat, Schoeffel is the way to go. Barbour is def not country these days, wheras Schoeffel is both practical and therefore really widely worn by the gundog lot near me.

Black muck boots/aigles/navy jodphurs or Sweaty Betty leggings/amazing cashmere jumper that probably has holes. Coat wise, old dryzabone or knackered men's barbour.

That's the vibe where I live. Meeting other mums for coffee. The other mums are in Vegas with wide leg jeans and a straw basket bag and a puffa.

my boots are cabotswood and always get compliments. They are great in the snow, rain and resultant mud.
My coat isn’t particularly stylish but it is extremely waterproof and long so between that and the boots I’m bone dry when I get home. (The dog not so much)

www.lighthouseclothing.co.uk/products/outback-full-length-waterproof-raincoat-fern

The put together stuff those ladies are probably doing is stud earrings and swingy hair, short natural looked after nails etc, a bit of good or interesting jewellery. Nice leather belt. Liking this thread as I don't often feel qualified for fashion advice but I think I know this. I get my wool jumpers from charity shops too

Where I live, all the men wear a schoeffel. Or 'shuffle' as the kids call it.