In our little corner of Wales, we’ve had a largely cool and wet spring so far, and that’s come after a long and cold winter! Whilst we don’t believe in letting the weather get you down (our fedoras are showerproof for a reason), it’s safe to say we’re looking forward to some warm and sunny weather when it finally makes an appearance. Point-to-points in the glorious spring sunshine, race days, balmy summer evenings in the garden of country pubs and BBQs, picnics and weddings galore! As we write this blog there is finally some warmer weather in the forecast, and while we’re still a little way off a spring heatwave, it’s the perfect excuse to start thinking about summer style.
We think that dressing for countryside events and days out is a little easier in the cooler months of the year. Tweed jackets and skirts, cashmere sweaters, leather boots and felt fedoras are staples of rural fashion! But of course, when the weather starts to heat up, those items get packed away until autumn in favour of cooler clothing. After all, tweed, wool and leather boots are a tad too warm, even for our most British of summer days! So how can you stay cool and stylish in summer and still fly the flag for countryside fashion?
The right fabrics!
Cast your mind back to last summer and that boiling heatwave - did you still step out in denim shorts or even jeans?! Heavy fabrics won’t help you stay as cool and there are much better options on the market. We’re thinking lightweight cotton chinos, breathable bamboo fabric shorts or linen skirts when the mercury rises, and you need to stay cool. Think about the fabrics you’re wearing up top too. Thick cotton polo shirts, loved by lots of country ladies, are warm compared to a floaty cami or smart linen vest.
Choose cool footwear
There’s a time for wellies and long leather boots, and there’s also a time for comfy flat espadrilles, smart moccasins and driving shoes, open sandals in natural fibres and breathable trainers! While it’s tempting to wear the most stylish shoes when winter’s mud finally dries up, remember that our feet swell when we’re hot and even natural materials like leather will make your feet sweaty… We recommend a very thin bamboo sock liner in closed shoes to help your feet stay dry and consider popping a pair of flats in your car if you're wearing heels for a country wedding or event!
Accessorise with a hat and sunglasses
When the heat of the midday sun is beating down, you need to protect your face and your eyes. The sun’s rays not only cause damage to the delicate skin on our face and accelerate ageing, but they can also cause corneal damage, cataracts and macular degeneration that can seriously impact your vision. A hat with a brim to shade your face and a pair of sunglasses with UVA and UVB is the perfect combination, and we have the ideal hat to make sure you always look stylish.
Our Henley summer fedora is crafted from a lightweight yet robust paper straw that allows air to ventilate through, keeping you cool and shaded on those hot summer days. It’s available in five colours - cream, navy, stone, lilac and pistachio - and can be finished with contrasting ribbons or beautiful feather wraps, both with and without a feather pin! The Henley summer fedora is so versatile, working equally well for dog walking and relaxing in the garden or posh summer days out! Take a closer look at the Henley in all its glorious shades and styles here.
