How to Build an Autumn Country Outfit From the Boots Up
It’s autumn and matching the autumn palette is a swift and easy opportunity to make a real impression while maintaining best appearance. Your footwear will affect where you can go, and the ground, distance and end destination will determine your choices. Your trousers must fit with the footwear practically and aesthetically and upper layers need to help regulate your temperature.
Here’s how you can build an Autumn country outfit from the boots up.
Begin with the ground underfoot
Whatever is underfoot should determine your footwear choice. If it’s wet fields, this is ideal for proper walking boots or wellingtons, if it’s middle ground like a walk to the shops, lunch or mixed lanes then a waterproof Chelsea boot is the best choice. If your plans involve indoors or mostly paved surfaces, this will allow for a smarter, well-soled leather boot. Once you’ve chosen your boot, it’s time to prioritise the best fit, comfort and colours to connect the outfit.
You need to make your selection with the whole day in mind – not just the first hour. So what does this involve? You need to allow toe room in the boot and ensure there’s a secure heel with no pinching at the instep – walk in the boot first to try out before deciding. An autumnal palette works well, colours like brown leather, olive, navy, stone and burgundy. You can consider going with a check or textured knit to add interest without creating a separate colour scheme. Once you’ve made up your mind, you can think about how the trousers fit over the boot.
Men’s County Footwear | Women’s Country Footwear
Let the boots set the trousers
Now that you have your chosen boot, you need to consider what trouser shape fits around it. A substantial walking boot needs a hem that falls cleanly without catching around the ankle, and if you want to wear your trousers inside wellingtons, they need to be close enough to tuck. No one likes that sensation of excess fabric bunching to chafe. If you’re wearing Chelsea boots, these can work very well with straight or tapered cords – as well as moleskins and stretch cotton trousers. If the route is likely to be wet or tough, performance trousers will be best. After you’ve chosen a broad shape you’ll need a movement test in front of a mirror as it's best to judge the fit with action.
Don’t just swivel your leg in the air – sit, bend and take a long stride, then check the hem again over the boot. The waistband should sit comfortably and the fabric of the trousers should not pull across the knee – it’s paramount that you feel comfortable before purchase. It’s also important to remember that quality country clothes straddle comfort and fashion with ease.
Build warmth without bulk
Moving up from the trouser finds us in the mid-layers. To start, a cotton shirt that comes across well on its own indoors is the baseline. Tattersall checks, soft stripes and small country checks are excellent pattern options with a clean collar to keep the outfit considered. The mid-layer could easily be a lambswool jumper, quarter zip or fleece gilet, building a consistent look that flows from garment to garment. If you’re set on a gilet, this will keep your core warm and arms free – knitwear, however, will give a smarter line. You’re looking for adjustment and adaptability – not maximum thickness.
We stock the highest-quality fleeces and gilets and these garments are an excellent addition to an autumnal outfit. They present as layers that complement the set, and regulate temperature flexibly, whether sitting on a shirt in the mid-afternoon or beneath a coat when the temperature drops. The Marlow Fleece Gilet for men and the Melrose II Fleece Gilet for women are great solutions and both products feature a two way zip, a practical feature for use when driving or sitting.
Moving to the outer layer, it’s important to understand what the environment actually requires. You can consider a waxed jacket for general country use – providing real versatility. A quilted jacket will be perfect for cooler and drier days and for days with sustained rain, a technical waterproof will be best. Make sure you try the coat over your selected layers to check the fit – when you’re doing the movement test, be sure to zip the coat all the way up, reach forwards and sit down – the jacket or coat will need room to move without losing its shape.
For the fuller, wet-weather route, have a look at our Guide to Dressing for a Horse Trial to be better informed.
One men's outfit three ways
A versatile men’s country outfit can consist of brown Chelsea boots, straight moleskin or stretch cotton trousers with a checked shirt, an olive or navy gilet and a waxed or quilted jacket. For the dog walk, make sure to use performance trousers if it's wet and to keep the layers practical. If it’s a planned day in town, a combination of boots, moleskins and a shirt with the gilet as the outer layer. If you’re planning a smarter afternoon, boots that have been outdoors can be cleaned, outerwear removed and fleeces can be swapped for a fine crew neck or a quarter-zip. Remember to use a simple leather belt.
The men’s country clothing collection covers these requirements excellently.
One women's outfit three ways
The women’s outfit follows the same basic formula. For the bottom up, it’s Chelsea or knee-high boots, with stretch trousers or fine cords and then for the mid-layer, a cotton shirt with a shaped gilet or light knit. The outer layer can be a waxed, quilted or waterproof coat. For a dog walk, you can choose technical trousers with your gilet under the coat – following this, on a general day out, you can try out the Chelsea boots with cords, shirt and gilet – keep the coat ready for a cooler spell. For a smarter afternoon, keep the clean boots and look for a finer knit, you can add a scarf that uses an existing outfit colour.
All these options and more can be found in the women’s clothing collection.
Try the whole outfit together
It’s time to put the whole outfit together. It’s important to try on the combination before deciding, really get a feel for it and see how it looks in the mirror. You’ll need to check that the shirt cuffs and collar sit cleanly, make sure the mid-layer doesn’t bunch up under the coat and that the pockets are easy to reach. Try removing the outer layer and confirm that the outfit underneath feels complete. Once you’ve made up your mind, it’s time to keep the care of the pieces in check so they really earn their place in the wardrobe.
Buy well and look after it
Routines for maintenance and the upkeep of the clothing and footwear are important. Make sure to clean footwear that’s been used and any clinging mud from local strolls and general field use. Once the leather is wet and needs to dry, make sure it dries naturally away from direct heat. You should check and follow the care label on every garment for advice on washing and drying. If you want to maintain that glossy finish on your wax or waterproof jacket or coat, make sure you use the appropriate cleaning products. This will extend their useful life and readiness for changing weather.
Have a look at our collection for cleaning care to be best prepared.
If you’d like advice on how to build and sustain your autumn outfit, you can always visit our Bakewell stores for practical advice on footwear, fit and layering.
