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What do Taylor Swift, Guy Ritchie and The King have in common? They all love a 200-year-old fabric born in Scotland’s textile mills
Lovat Mill, the last tweed producer in the Scottish Borders, has fans in Madonna, Taylor Swift and The King — and they’re releasing 15 new designs to celebrate the fabric’s 200 year anniversary.
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From the front line to the front row: A potted history of the Wellington boot and some of our favourites to buy right now
Soldiers, aristocrats, Paddington Bear and models have all donned a pair of welly boots.
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‘Live in the country (or, failing that, Kensington Square) and wear navy’: A brief history of the colour that never goes out of style
Deborah Nicholls-Lee takes a look at how the colour navy got its name — and why its still a safe bet, centuries on.
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A short history of all the must-have toys for Christmas
Today’s queues may be digital, but the fight to secure that must-have present and avoid small, disappointed faces is timeless. Tom Howells looks at the toys topping recent (and less recent) Christmas wish lists.
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Just can't get enough of the muff? The history of the furry handwarmer with the funny name
Deborah Nicholls-Lee goes diving into the history of the muff.
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'There were 900 people in the queue and I waited three hours, but it was worth it': The Christmas cracker-maker who supplies Britain's most exclusive shops
Hannah Bidmead of Nancy & Betty is the luxury Christmas cracker maker who makes the list of our heroes of Christmas.
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What do a 19th century earl, Coco Chanel and Harry Styles have in common? A love of cardigans, of course
Amie Elizabeth White takes a look back at the history of the cardigan.
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What do you get a man who already has everything?
Jeremy Langmead sets out to find the ultimate personalised gift. Illustration by Giles Deacon.
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Meet the British perfumers squeezing landscapes into scents
The nuances of modern perfumery now allow a single drop to evoke an entire landscape. Amie Elizabeth White explores the native houses hitting the right notes
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Country Life's luxury editor's gift ideas for gentlemen
Christmas gift ideas for all of the men in your life, from fathers to husbands, to boyfriends to brothers.
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Country Life's luxury editor's Christmas gift ideas for leading ladies
The Country Life Christmas gift guide is back and it's bigger than ever. Here's what to buy your mother, wife, sister or girlfriend (or all four).
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Kilt status: A history of the iconic Scottish skirt, from wartime wrap to punk protest
Everything you need to know about the kilt — apart from what to wear underneath one.
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How fashions finest would dress an Airedale, Dalmatian, corgi and more if only they had the chance
We’ve matched some much-loved breeds to the designers that share their history, temperament and vibe — because why not. Illustrations by Tug Rice.
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Savile Row might be the beating heart of bespoke men's tailoring, but it was named after a woman
Savile Row is the home of the bespoke suit, but its history is a lot more colourful than you might expect.
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The trench coat is a British fashion icon that’s been worn by everyone from brave World War soldiers to Sex and the City’s Samantha Jones
The trench coat did not originate in the trenches, says Amie Elizabeth White, but it was greatly influenced by the World Wars, and was sported by a host of film and TV stars.
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If these jackets could talk
With its new AW25 collection, Barbour has drawn upon its 130 years of classic British style to create clothing that will take you everywhere with timeless elegance and honest practicality
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What’s better than a date with Ali MacGraw? Tending to your waxed jacket, according to Steve McQueen
This is the story of the world’s most useful jacket — and a staple in Britain's countryside homes.
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Sophia Money-Coutts: A snob's guide to wellies
Wellington boots are a signifier, says Sophia Money-Coutts, of whether you are 'proper country' or not.
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Fall the right way: Country Life's shopping guide to the very best this autumn
From tweed to tartan, scented candles to sandwiches, here's how to spend your money this autumn.
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These boots were made for walking (up Mount Everest, 101 years ago): How identical twin brothers plan to test George Mallory's shoes against modern-day mountaineering kit
Shoemaker Crockett & Jones has crafted a replica pair of George Mallory's boots for one half of The Turner Twins to wear in the high-altitude Himalayas.
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The origins of the Oxford shoe and why it will never go out of style
‘Oxfords, not brogues’ are words to live by, but what do they actually mean?
