 There are some styles that never really disappear. They may change a little with the seasons, but the feeling remains. A well-cut jacket, a beautiful piece of tartan, a waxed cotton coat, sturdy leather boots or a warm tweed waistcoat can look just as wonderful today as they did decades ago. For me, that feeling has always been strongly connected with British style. I have to admit it: I am a little bit obsessed with the English way of dressing. I absolutely loved Downton Abbey, not only for the wonderful story and beautiful costumes, but also because of the atmosphere. The fabrics, the tailoring, the countryside clothes, the riding jackets and those wonderfully elegant silhouettes — I could watch it for hours. And my love for British style goes much further than television. For many years, I had Welsh Cobs as my ponies. And calling them "ponies" sometimes felt rather generous! Welsh Cobs are magnificent, strong and sometimes rather hot-tempered animals. They are beautiful English and Welsh giants with an enormous personality. Their names, however, were sometimes almost impossible to pronounce. But that was part of the charm. Those years around horses, countryside life and outdoor clothing definitely influenced my own taste. I still love that old British and Welsh style: practical, durable, elegant and never too concerned with following the latest fashion trend. And yes, I have made quilts from tartan fabrics too. Because apparently, my love for tartan was not satisfied with wearing it! Today, I still have a very British-looking side to my wardrobe. Wax jackets, sturdy outdoor boots, wool, tweed and practical country-style clothing are things I can never resist. I suppose you could call it British Marga. What makes British style so special? British fashion has had an enormous influence on clothing around the world. What I find particularly appealing is the way it combines three things that do not always seem to belong together: tradition, practicality and elegance. British clothing often has a very clear purpose. A riding jacket is made for riding. A waxed jacket is designed to protect you from rain and wind. Tweed was made for outdoor life. A good pair of boots needs to survive muddy paths and long days outside. Yet somehow, these practical clothes became beautiful in their own right. That is perhaps one of the reasons I love British style so much. It does not need to be overly decorated. The beauty is often in the cut, the fabric, the workmanship and the little details. 1. A classic and tailored silhouette Traditional British clothing often has a structured and elegant shape. Think of beautifully fitted blazers, tailored trousers, riding jackets, trench coats and crisp shirts. The shoulders may be structured, the waist defined and the jacket carefully shaped to the body. Good tailoring is important here. A British-inspired jacket should look as though it has a purpose. It should sit properly on the shoulders, have a good balance and keep its shape. This is also what makes British style so interesting for someone who loves sewing. There is so much to learn from a well-made jacket. The construction, the interfacing, the collar, the pockets, the buttons and the way the fabric behaves all matter. 2. Country life and British heritage For me, this is perhaps the most charming part of British style. British fashion has deep roots in country life, hunting, riding, walking and outdoor sports. This is where many of the fabrics and garments we now consider fashionable originally came from. Tweed, tartan, corduroy, waxed cotton, sturdy wool and leather were not originally chosen simply because they looked beautiful. They were practical materials designed to withstand the weather and hard use. That history is still visible today. A tweed jacket with a pair of boots can look wonderfully elegant, but it can also feel completely at home on a country walk. That combination of beauty and usefulness is something I greatly appreciate. 3. Tartan, tweed and timeless patterns If there is one fabric that immediately makes me think of Britain, it is tartan. I have always loved it. I have used tartan in clothing, and I have even made quilts from different tartans. Tartan has such a strong character that you do not need much else. A beautiful tartan fabric can become the main feature of a jacket, skirt, waistcoat or coat. And then there is tweed. Herringbone, checks, subtle flecks and rich woven textures make tweed almost irresistible to a fabric lover. It has depth and character, and it often becomes even more beautiful with age. Other classic British patterns include:
These fabrics are perfect for sewing projects that are meant to last. 4. British style and sport Some of the most recognisable British garments began as sportswear or outdoor clothing. Horse riding gave us fitted riding jackets, tall boots and close-fitting trousers. Polo influenced shirts with collars and practical, sporty clothing. Hunting and country sports brought us tweed jackets, waistcoats, capes and sturdy outdoor garments. Walking and hiking helped popularise waxed cotton jackets and warm wool clothing. And this is another reason British style feels so natural to me. It was never only about looking elegant. It was about being able to do something while wearing the clothes. You could ride a horse, walk through the countryside, stand outside in the rain or spend a day at a country estate — and still look beautifully dressed. My favourite British colours The traditional British colour palette is one of the things I find particularly easy to wear. Think of warm and earthy colours such as:
Then add richer classic colours such as:
These colours work beautifully with natural fabrics and are particularly lovely in autumn and winter. Fabrics that create the British look If you want to bring a little British character into your own sewing room, fabric is a wonderful place to start. Look for:
A beautiful natural fabric can make even a relatively simple pattern look special. Essential pieces for a British-inspired wardrobe You do not need an entire new wardrobe to create this look. A few carefully chosen pieces can be enough. A double-breasted blazer is a classic. Look for strong buttons, perhaps brass, leather or another traditional-looking finish. A fitted jacket is another wonderful sewing project. A defined waist and structured shoulders create that unmistakable tailored silhouette. Layering also works beautifully. Try a crisp white shirt underneath a tweed waistcoat, or a warm roll-neck sweater under a longer blazer. Then add a pair of sturdy riding or outdoor boots. A leather crossbody bag, a tweed shoulder bag or a simple silk scarf can complete the outfit. The secret is not to overdo it. British style often looks best when it feels natural. English blazers and European blazers There are some differences between the traditional English blazer and the more modern European blazer. An English-inspired blazer is usually more structured and tailored. It may have stronger shoulders, a more defined waist, a double-breasted front, patch pockets and traditional buttons. A contemporary European blazer is often softer and more relaxed, with a less formal silhouette and fewer traditional details. Neither is better. They simply tell a different story. For me, the charm of the English blazer is precisely that little touch of history. It looks as though it has a story behind it. And now… a little British sewing project is coming! My love for British outdoor style is not staying in my wardrobe.  I am very happy to share that I will be making a few tutorials for the BERNINA blog with British Outdoor Style as the inspiration. For these projects, I will be using the Bernette 08 Straight Stitch, and I am going to make a few beautiful British-inspired classics. What exactly will I be making? That is still a little secret! But I can already give you a small preview. I have included a moodboard with some of the inspiration behind the projects. Think practical. Think traditional. Think countryside. Think beautiful fabrics and classic details. And, of course, think very British. I am really looking forward to getting started. Fashion changes incredibly quickly. Every season brings new colours, new silhouettes and new trends. But some things simply stay beautiful. A good wool jacket. A piece of tartan. A waxed cotton coat. A pair of well-made boots. A beautifully tailored blazer. These are garments with history. Perhaps that is why I keep coming back to British style. It reminds me of the things I have always loved: craftsmanship, natural fabrics, beautiful animals, the countryside, good tailoring and clothes that are made to be worn rather than simply displayed. So yes, even in the middle of summer, when everyone is thinking about light dresses and sandals, I can still find myself dreaming about tweed, wax jackets and riding boots. And somewhere in my sewing room, there is probably another piece of tartan waiting for me. British Marga strikes again. Comments are closed.
|
Sewing Chanel-Style is all about sharing information, sewing pattern-reviews, book-reviews and lots of sewing guides for sewing-beginners and advanced seamstress.
Marga van der Vet
|
