What To Wear For Game Shooting

Whether you're a seasoned gun or new to the field, dressing the part is important for etiquette and comfort. 

Discover why specific shooting clothes matter as we take you through everything you need to look and perform your best on every drive.

Brocklehurst’s commitment to creating quality shooting clothes

Our clothing collection boasts 50 years of heritage and has come a long way since those early days.

But we still maintain the same dedication to high-quality materials, innovative style, and classic British charm for which we are renowned. 

What is game shooting?

 Game shooting in the UK typically involves the pursuit of game birds, including pheasants, partridges and grouse.  

Formal-driven shooting and walked-up shooting are two distinct methods of game shooting, each with its own style, technique, and attire requirements.

Formal driven shoot

On traditional, formal-driven shoots, a team of guns line up on numbered pegs. Beaters and their dogs walk ahead to flush out the game and encourage it to fly high over the line of guns. 

Attire for these shoots tends to be more formal, where men and women wear traditional tweeds. This can include a waterproof coat, shooting gilet and breeks, or trousers.

Formal driven shoot

For rough or walked-up shooting, guns use trained dogs to flush game out of cover as they walk along. This type of shooting requires expert knowledge and hunting skills. 

While tweed can still be worn on these shoots, a shirt and tie are not typically necessary. Guns may just wear a shooting waistcoat, gilet, or fleece jacket instead of a tweed coat, especially if it's a warmer day. Moleskin trousers or cotton breeks are acceptable.

What is shooting attire?

Shooting attire refers to a range of garments designed specifically for game shooting. These garments are created with functionality, performance, and style in mind, catering to the unique demands of shooting in varying weather conditions and terrains.

Tweeds are frequently used due to their muted colours. Tweed provides warmth and excellent wearability, as well as longevity, often being passed down through generations.

Shooting clothing is essential for safety and performance on the field, from coats with reinforced padding to breeks offering freedom of movement.

Shooting Coats

As the game shooting season occurs in autumn and winter, your shooting coat should be waterproof and warm without sacrificing ease of movement. Choose coats with a breathable, waterproof lining and cuffed sleeves to keep you dry and prevent drips or draughts from running down your sleeves.

The length of the coat is also important; longer coats provide greater coverage against wind and rain, while shorter ones offer increased mobility. Your shooting coat should allow free movement, particularly in the shoulders and arms, facilitating a smooth gun mount.  

Ensure your shooting coat has an adequate number and placement of pockets for storing cartridges, accessories, and other essentials required during shooting.

Breeks

Breeks are traditional garments that are both practical and stylish. They cut off below the knee and are worn with full-length shooting stockings. Learn more in our guide to breeks, plus-twos and plus-fours.

These types of trousers are usually made of durable materials like tweed or moleskin to withstand the rigours of the activity and to protect against thorns, bushes, and adverse weather conditions.  

Good quality breeks should have several pockets and don't necessarily have to match your coat, but they should be in a similar coloured tweed.

If you're interested in purchasing men's breeks, you can find them in our collection from top country brands, including Laksen, Schoffel, Harkila and our very own Brocklehursts.

SHIRTS

Stay comfortable with our cotton, breathable shirts. Many are designed with a hint of stretch for a non-restricted range of movement.

 Choose colours that match your shooting coat and breeks. Usually, a checked shirt in country colours is the shirt of choice.

Waistcoats and vests

Shooting waistcoats and vests can be functional layers under your shooting coat. Find designs with spacious pockets for cartridges

Shooting Footwear

Choosing the right footwear for game shooting is essential to ensure comfort, safety, and performance in the field.

Boots

Boots are a popular choice due to their excellent ankle support, which is crucial for walking across uneven terrain. The terrain can be unpredictable, requiring sturdy, reliable, and weather-appropriate shoes.

When selecting boots, prioritise those made with waterproof yet breathable materials. This combination keeps your feet dry and comfortable, preventing overheating. Additionally, thick soles offer a stable base on varying terrains, while higher-collar boots protect against briars or brambles. 

Shop our collection to find sought-after brands like Meindl and Crispi.

Wellingtons

Boots are a popular choice due to their excellent ankle support, which is crucial for walking across uneven terrain. The terrain can be unpredictable, requiring sturdy, reliable, and weather-appropriate shoes.

When selecting boots, prioritise those made with waterproof yet breathable materials. This combination keeps your feet dry and comfortable, preventing overheating. Additionally, thick soles offer a stable base on varying terrains, while higher-collar boots protect against briars or brambles. 

Shop our collection to find sought-after brands like Meindl and Crispi.

Shooting Accessories

Stockings

Look for shooting stockings featuring cushioning and moisture-wicking properties to keep feet comfortable and dry. Traditionally, stockings are worn over breeks and secured in place with a garter, though some choose to wear stockings under breeks instead.

Stockings

Ties

Collared shirts and ties are expected on more formal shoots. Shooting ties, crafted from the finest materials and available in various designs, add a touch of elegance to your attire.

Ties

Caps & Hats

Usually, men wear a tweed flat cap, and ladies wear a tweed cap or fedora.

 Hats shield your eyes from the sun or keep the rain off.

Caps & Hats