The British Countryside Look

Julie Diana
Oct 19
3 min read

Updated: Oct 23

Hat: Borsalino, similar here in 4 sizes / Turtleneck bodysuit: Quince / Vest: Halogen / Skirt: Halogen / Boots: Naturalizer

No matter where on Earth you live, the British countryside aesthetic is right at home.

Its key elements? Earth tones, tweeds, wool, and suede.

All of these are united with a heritage of fine tailoring.

Most of the time, such an ensemble will cost you thousands.

As a savvy shopper and an experienced dressmaker, I'm here to bring you a selection of country casuals for gals who dress (and spend!) modestly.

You'll find the details of my latest countryside-inspired outfit. Then we'll explore some similar pieces from my favorite brands.

Let's go!

First, the headwear

We'll start with with hat, since headwear is my favorite part of any outfit.

I snapped up this open crown fedora on clearance. It's made of smooth rabbit fur felt.

While it's by Italian hatmaker Borsalino, its deep earthy color and raw edge have the quintessential British country vibe.

While it's now sold out, you can find similar hats below.

Next, the vest (aka waistcoat)

Tailoring is what gives this outfit a heritage look.

I snapped up this tweed knit vest the moment I discovered it on the Nordstrom website. It's by their in-house label Caslon.

The vest has a smooth, stretchy lining and front welt pockets.

Since the vest was a bit loose on me, I did a simple adjustment to make it more fitted.

After taking up the hem on the matching skirt, I used the excess skirt fabric to make waist ties. I stitched them to the side seams, and tied them together at the back of the vest.

This is a quick way to give a vest (or any top!) more definition at the waist, without having to do complicated alterations.

Browse more country-inspired vests below!

The turtleneck layering piece

This turtleneck is my best discovery of the season!

It's made of a ribbed cotton-cashmere blend, and it's a bodysuit so it stays. tucked. in!

While I chose the oatmeal color, it also comes in black and charcoal heather.

No surprise, it's from Quince, one of my favorite brands for upscale clothing, shoes, and bags. I love the normal prices, and free shipping on literally everything.

The following pieces would also serve as a smooth layer under a vest.

The tweed skirt

This tweed knit skirt is by Nordstrom in-house brand Caslon, in the same fabric as the vest. I took up the hem about 11 inches so it hits just below the knee.

You can see the original length below, plus similar tweed-look separates.

Last, the leather riding boots