When you live in the beautiful countryside there really is no excuse to not get out and explore it. Since becoming a dog-mummy I go out walking for between 45-60mins twice a day to keep my rambunctious labradors exercised and happy, usually with my mum and her two Labradors; we make quite a pack!
I have to admit that I don’t really dress up much when I am exploring the countryside with my dogs. At the end of the walk the dogs can be pretty muddy and/or wet so wearing nice clothes isn’t really a good idea, however, this fact doesn’t stop me admiring the beautiful heritage fashion that the country-style is known for so when I was offered the chance to review some pieces from the Walker & Hawkes range of gilets and hats I jumped at the chance to add a little style to my dog-walking wardrobe.
When you think of the countryside you probably picture farmers in their fields or maybe shooting parties seeking out pheasants and what are they wearing? Probably tweed! This fabric has been a countryside staple worn by rural workers and landowners for decades due to it’s naturally waterproof and hardy properties which come from the wool from which it is made. These days you are just as likely to see Tweed worn in cities as in the fields representing the quintessential look of Britain as the industry has seen a revival in demand for higher-quality craftsmanship garments.
So, what did I pick out?
Walker & Hawkes Ladies’ Derby Tweed Waistcoat
I really loved the look of this gilet/waistcoat when I first spotted it due to its flatting shape, practical pockets and 2-way heavy duty zip/popper fastening combination. Of course, one of the biggest attractions for me was that it came in sage with purple stripe (purple is my favourite colour), with a fabulous purple diamond-quilted lining which makes the waistcoat feel particularly luxurious. The outer jacket is made from 60% wool, 25% polyester, 11% acrylic, and 4% other fibres which gives the waistcoat excellent structure and durability.
This is an easy to wear waistcoat which offers buckets of style as well as practical perks. It’s always handy to have plenty of pocket space when you’re out walking the dogs for mobile phones, dog biscuits or emergency poo bags (in case I forget my handy doggie bag I carry with me). Despite being a little tight on me (I am still focusing on losing weight), I found it comfortable to wear and a very dapper addition to my usual dog walking attire.
I still need to work on exactly how to style this Derby Tweed beaut for being out and about without my canine companions but I can see it easily working for a casual look paired with jeans and a t-shirt to keep me warm on more typical British Summer days!
Walker & Hawkes Ladies’ Traditional Bakerboy Tweed Cap
I have a thing for hats. Usually, trilby style hats which add a little personality to my otherwise usually tame fashion choices. I often wear a hat when I am out with the dogs, especially when it is sunny and I need a bit of protection from the bright light. I was excited to try out something a bit different and picked out the Bakerboy tweed cap which matched my lovely waistcoat as it too came with a purple stripe option!
This is a traditional ladies Bakerboy cap which really adds some countryside character to any outfit. This is a casual cap which is not as formal as a wide-brimmed hat but adds a bit more interest than a flat cap and can be worn to almost any occasion. I discovered that it is perfect for keeping unruly hair under control; simply create a messy bun and put the cap on top to hold it in place to keep your hair from flying all over the place.
With its short brim, gently pleated fabric, button detail on top and a choice of two classy yet upbeat colours: pink or purple stripe; you can’t go wrong with this baker boy cap whether worn on it’s own or in combination with the waistcoat for a thoroughly rural look.
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