The Glorious Twelfth is fast approaching, your gun is (hopefully) cleaned, serviced and ready to shoot, now all that’s left to do is make sure your kit is in order. Though well-worn attire may be a trope of old hands when it comes to shooting, the modern Gun knows that to be smartly dressed is part and parcel of good etiquette. “I think that one should look the part, rather than be the part, that’s always been my motto,” says editor-in-chief of The Rake and shooting enthusiast Tom Chamberlin.
The central part of any shooting outfit is the breeks, he explains. Breeks stop at the knee, though you may see gamekeepers distinguishing themselves by wearing ‘plus fours’ or ‘plus twos’ – referring to the amount of times the fabric is folded over at the knee. They should be tweed, and in a colour palette that blends into the shooting environment, so you’re less easily spotted by the birds overhead.
Breeks should be worn with long, thick shooting socks; Purdey has a great selection made from cashmere and merino wool that go right up to the knee. Another shooting-wear signature are the garters on the side of the socks – traditionally these would have been a practical essential to hold them up, but of course today’s socks will stay up by themselves, so this detail is more of a nod to style.
“Wherever you’re going, whoever you’re shooting with, your breeks and long socks are your constant. The rest you can play with a little bit,” Chamberlin continues. He mentions the classic Purdey Field Coat, a style that inspires every new collection, with Autumn / Winter 2024 no exception. Outerwear fabrics make the most of technical innovation while keeping the look traditional, for pieces that are more waterproof, breathable, comfortable and durable than ever before. Chamberlin makes particular note of the roomy and deep bellows pockets, another simple but important note when it comes to wearability.
“Underneath the jacket, I would say you should wear a shirt and tie, but that is one of my personal rules. There are a lot of people I know who have been shooting for decades who wouldn’t necessarily do that, they might wear a roll neck instead, for example. But I quite like the small amount of formality that can be added to a shooting outfit.” He also favours a shooting vest: “I often wear one when it’s cold, so I have the option of removing my jacket when it’s not raining to give a little more room to manoeuvre.”
Then it’s on to accessories. “One thing you should always have when you are shooting is a hat – a flat cap, or if you want to be a little more adventurous, I once saw a dashing American wearing a deer-stalker, which looked terrific. For the feet, Wellington boots are the go-to, or Purdey Twin Strap Boots; when you look at original images of shooting, this is the kind of thing they wore, so they are very much the traditional shooting footwear. Ultimately you’ll be trudging through a lot of mud, grass and wet ground, so it’s important to be wearing something you don’t mind getting dirty. My tip is to always have a spare pair of shoes with you in the car, so when you go for lunch, you have something to change into.”
“The only accessory you really need apart from the gun itself is the cartridge bag,” he adds. “Speak to the estate owner before the shoot to check you are carrying the correct cartridges, as lead is being phased out. And finally, it’s a little bit frivolous but highly recommended for walking through the fields: a Purdey walking stick. As an investment, I know it’s one that will see me to old age.”
Dressing appropriately is, of course, a Purdey speciality. We have everything you need to build the perfect sporting wardrobe, whether your breeks or boots are simply in need of a refresh, you’re looking for the necessary field accessories, or you require a completely new outfit. Our team at Audley House are always on hand to advise, both in-person or via a virtual appointment, bookable on our website (just click the link in the top left-hand corner).
Our latest collection is sporting classics through and through, inspired by the heritage of Purdey clothing and accessories – grounded in British tradition, driven by innovation and made by and for those who love the great outdoors. It’s made to adapt to every environment and wearer, and will see you comfortably and stylishly through the months ahead, and for many seasons to come.
Shop the new Autumn / Winter 2024 collection, here.