Clementine’s Country Fashion: Do’s and Don’ts

DO invest in a pair of Hunter wellies. Traditional green is the preferred choice but if one feels like throwing caution to the wind, dark blue is desirable. Avoid the polka dot and floral ones from those dreadful high street chain shops. They are vulgar, impractical and clearly mark you out as an outsider.

DON’T ever put on the aforementioned wellingtons without shaking them upside down first. All manner of insects and creatures can crawl in unannounced. Fenella Washington-Crewe pulled her Hunters on once without thinking, only to find a hedgehog had chosen to hibernate in one for the winter. Fenella was housebound for weeks and missed that year’s hunting season.

DO make headscarves an essential part of your wardrobe. They make a wonderful accompaniment to an outfit and, of course, protect one’s hairstyle on a windy day. For versatility, they can also be knotted around one’s neck.

DO invest in a pair of sensible, hardwearing brogues. For a more formal occasion or evening, a pair of court shoes with a two-inch heel is more than adequate.

NEVER, EVER been seen to wear shorts. No matter how high the temperature, a cotton summer dress is far more elegant and will keep one’s dignity intact.

DO buy a good quality waxed jacket. Barbour may be more expensive than other manufacturers but they are well cut and marvellously warm. Like the Queen, I prefer Barbour’s Beaufort model. The corduroy collars and cuffs add a nice touch without being too ‘in-one’s-face’.

DO go for well-established British labels. My favourites are Aquascutum, Country Casuals and Pringle for their wonderful cashmere twin sets. There seems to be a need to replace one’s wardrobe every five minutes nowadays (ask my granddaughter Calypso!) but one should ideally invest less frequently in classic, timeless pieces. ‘A good suit goes on forever,’ says Princess Anne. She is quite right of course; I bought a wool Jaeger suit from a boutique in Cheltenham over thirty years ago and it still looks as good as new.

DON’T wear fur, unless it has been in the family for at least two generations. Foxes may well be a blasted nuisance, but it’s just not the done thing to have one draped round one’s neck at the St Bartholomew’s annual sherry evening these days.

DO make sure you have at least three pairs of good quality gloves for driving, walking the dog and gardening.

DO invest in a shooting stick. They are a lifesaver at country fairs, flower shows and any equestrian events. My own has also come in handy several times on the 4.45pm out of Paddington when one is packed in like a wretched sardine and unable to find a seat.

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