Country Clothing – Breeks, Trousers and Braces
For fieldsports wear, my preference is for breeks, in either tweed or moleskin. They are just so comfortable, especially when wearing Wellington boots. (Although I think it has more to do with the fact that I wore short trousers for the first 11 years of my life.) Trousers are good for winter wear, though you can't really beat breeks or Plus Fours for making a proper 'statement'.
If you’ve not worn breeks before then I suggest that you first wear them in safe company. They are not an everyday item of clothing and can be perceived as ‘over the top’ by less sympathetic friends. (One of my friends is so conscientious of wearing breeks that he changes them for trousers whenever he drives anywhere, in case he has to stop for petrol.)
Trousers are better at protecting one’s legs against nettles, and are warmer. Olive green or khaki moleskins are my favourites, although cords are also traditional. I find the moleskins and cords from John Norris of Penrith to be the best value. (Tweed trousers, if they are part of a suit, look very appealing, but in practice I’ve found them to be a little rough textured and therefore less comfortable than moleskins and cords.)
For heavy gardening I wear dark brown or black jeans. I’m less concerned with fashion when I’m covered in mud. Heavy denim lasts longer than any other trouser material (even so, I wear through a pair of heavy jeans every three months) and these trousers can be purchased really cheaply at supermarkets and budget stores.
The very best vintage-style trousers are ‘high rise’ trousers with a fishtail back, worn with traditional button-fastened braces. If you’ve seen Monty Don on the television then you know what I mean. You can buy high-rise trousers from Old Town Clothing, along with other perfectly styled vintage country clothing. Just get in line first, as I need to place an order.
The best quality braces are made by Albert Thurston. I have two pairs of tweed braces that are super.
If you like this blog, then you might like Fine Things, Fennel's Journal No. 8
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