The Cotswolds set’s new uniform? Get ready for ‘farm shop chic’
The start of a new year prompts many of us to cast an eye around for a little fresh style inspiration. What might come as a surprise, however, is where that inspiration is now to be found – not on the red carpet or on the fashion industry’s most glamorous bodies but, of all places, at your local garden centre or farm shop.
Pieces geared towards the wholesome and green-fingered have been steadily finding favour in recent months, worn not just for weeding or perusing locally grown heritage carrots, but for more urban pursuits. Fair Isle knits, cotton chore jackets, whimsically ruffled shirts and practical gilets are the kind of thing you might see on regulars at Burford Garden Centre (where the Cotswolds’ smart set buy Japanese-made Niwaki tools and Sussex Trugs) – but now they have strayed onto city pavements, and they call to mind an unstudied easiness that feels just right for now.
Actress Jennifer Lawrence is in on the act: she recently paired a sleek trench coat with a pair of ergonomic Grizzly clogs from Halfinger, which look more suited to the potting shed than pounding the streets of New York.
A poster woman for this trend is Willow Crossley, a florist, who is almost as revered for her English bohemian aesthetic as she is for her wild and rambling arrangements. “My style is relaxed, colourful and erratic – a little bit gypsy and quite romantic. I’m drawn to embroidered pieces, pattern and print. A chunky jumper, ankle boot wellies and a workman’s jacket pretty much make up my everyday winter wardrobe,” she says.
Crossley favours sturdy rubber boots from Merry People, which she teams with cropped jeans from Mother (that she doesn’t mind getting muddy) and a much-loved red Acne beanie. She also shares Lawrence’s penchant for a practical clog: “I love a thick, cream sock with a shearling Birkenstock and a pair of straight-leg jeans, although people do think I’ve come out in my slippers.”
So popular is Crossley’s look that she has collaborated with British brand Brora on a range of fringed tartan blanket jackets that she wears “on rotation”. They’re warm, a little bit retro and have deep pockets – perfect for a trowel (or keys and a phone, should you be less inclined towards actual gardening). Aside from Crossley’s collection, Brora is a one-stop shop for those hoping to introduce a little pastoral insouciance to their look: think embroidered shirts, colourful cashmere and soft corduroy trousers.
Other brands to look out for include Toast, which is a favourite for thoughtfully designed classics with an artsy twist. Its drapey skirts, denim pinafores and knitted berets would be ideal to throw on if you were tending to a herbaceous border or two. Similarly, check out Poetry’s quietly unfussy linen tunics (which, to beat the chill, can be layered over tights, boots and a merino polo neck) and Navygrey, which makes the cosiest investment jumpers.
The key to making this look work outside the Cotswolds is to introduce an element of unexpected countryside style to an otherwise urban outfit. Try pairing a dress with a padded gilet, for example, or tailored trousers with a romantic pintuck blouse. Homespun knits look artfully rustic layered beneath tailored blazers (and keep you warm at the same time), while a woollen foulard in cherry red, tied nonchalantly around the neck, gives pep to a white shirt. Chunky boots – the more technical, the better – are a mainstay and can be styled with everything from a midi dress to jeans to add a dash of outdoorsy charm.
It’s an art that’s been perfected by florist Christie Leigh, whose charmingly undone displays have resulted in collaborations with high-end fashion brands from Dior to Burberry. Like Crossley, she’s partial to a pair of clogs worn with thick socks, but she doesn’t reserve them for the flower market. “They’re super practical for my job but look great with most outfits. I love to wear mine with silk dresses and a Barbour.”
It’s perhaps unsurprising that this trend, which tends towards the hardy and the homespun, is taking hold in dark, dreary January – clothes that can withstand the elements are not just stylish, but practical at this time of year. However, Leigh thinks the shift also signifies something deeper: a pushback against hustle culture, “power dressing” and the frenetic pace of city life. “It’s about dressing for the life you want,” she says.
Perhaps most enticingly, this is a look that – in stark contrast to so many other trends – is relatively simple to carry off. “A good pair of jeans and an excellent white T-shirt paired with a gardening shoe is all you need,” says Leigh. “Accessorise with secateurs popping out of your back pocket, and you’ve got ‘bucolic core’ sorted.”
Try these...
Howlin’ Scottish wool jumper, £176, Morrison; Cotton vest, £165, Toast
Mother Half pipe ankle-length jeans, £320, Trilogy Stores; Corduroy trousers, £198, Brora
Cashmere beanie, £50, Hush; Mohair socks, £18, Pairs Scotland; Waterproof clogs, £59.95, Merry People
