The tweed sports coat is associated with a classic and sophisticated aesthetic yet is completely suitable for most casual settings. Huntsman’s Head Cutter, Campbell Carey, explains how to wear it.…
Style & Fashion
The unparalleled joy of writing with a fountain pen – and five beautiful pens to inspire you
Elegant, ornate and adaptable to each individual hand, nothing beats writing with a fountain pen, says Flora Watkins, who also picks out five favourites.
‘Permission to marry your daughter, sir?’ – Why you still need to ask for her father’s blessing to get married
Asking the father's permission to marry his daughter is hopelessly outdated yet remains an absolute essential part of the rituals of marriage, says Rupert Uloth.
The five golden rules of wearing a hat to a wedding
If you've a wedding or two (or three) coming up this year, Emma Hughes steps forward with advice for an essential of a lady's wardrobe: the hat.
The Florist: ‘What I do is like good cooking – if you have beautiful ingredients, you can’t go wrong’
This week's Living National Treasure is royal florist Shane Connolly – and while he might be based in Britain, he's in demand around the world. He spoke to Tessa Waugh;…
Choosing perfect wedding presents: A guide for brides, grooms and guests
Getting just the right thing for the happy couple can be a minefield for guests – how do you choose something they'll actually want, without resorting to cold, hard cash? Flora…
The wedding traditions we need to keep hold of – and the five that need consigning to history
Times change, things move on... but some things are always worth cherishing. Here's Country Life's advice on the wedding traditions that still have a place, and those that you can…
Living without plastic | Part 5: When beauty goes green
Each year, Country Life's Rosie Paterson issues herself a challenge for Lent. This year she's attempting to give up plastic and plastic packaging for the whole 40 days.
Living without plastic | Part 4: going global and fighting plastic fashion
Nearly three weeks in to Rosie Paterson's plastic-free life, she's realising that the challenge will have consequences that reach far beyond the fridge.
How to choose a classic gentleman’s overcoat which will last you a lifetime
When temperatures drop, the only acceptable outerwear with a suit is an overcoat. Huntsman’s Head Cutter, Dario Carnera, explains how to keep warm yet retain one’s sartorial cool.
Designing your own engagement ring – the dos and the don’ts
Designing a bespoke engagement ring for the love of your life is a daunting prospect. Luckily, there’s expert help at hand, says Emma Hughes.
The gold stamper: ‘The younger generation is very appreciative of artisan work – they’re the ones driving the trend’
This week's Living National Treasure is John Timms, the man who leads the team that stamps gold lettering into thousands of Smythson items each year. He spoke to Tessa Waugh.
Orthopaedic shoe-making: The bridge between architecture and podiatry
John Goodall meets Bill Bird, who, having studied architecture at the Bartlett, now makes orthopaedic shoes.
The last bicycle maker in the Midlands: ‘Our founder wanted small numbers and high quality. We’ve stuck rigidly to that.’
Tessa Waugh discovers why the company has stayed faithful to the first designs.
Country Life and Huntsman’s guide to wearing Black Tie
Black Tie remains the gold standard in formal dressing. Huntsman’s Creative Director Campbell Carey explains how to stand out in your dinner suit for all the right reasons.
How to choose the perfect Mother of the Bride dress, shoes, hat and accessories
Sarah Jane Lewis, former Fashion Editor of Brides magazine, shares her tips for bewildered mothers in the run up to a wedding day.
Everything you should know before getting a double-barrelled name
Once the preserve of the upper levels of society, double-barrelled names have proliferated in recent years. Flora Watkins considers the reasons why.
11 things you must know before commissioning a bespoke suit
A bespoke suit will last you years, perhaps even decades, so it’s important to get it right. Jonathan Self offers his advice on how to get one that’s just right.…
The regional bespoke tailors who offer a proper alternative to Savile Row
Jonathan Self has spent years wearing Savile Row suits, but for the latest addition to his wardrobe decided to look further afield. He was delighted with what he found.
Why socks are the new ties – and what yours say about you
Two years ago, Country Life decried the wearing of lilac socks. But times change, and so do we: it's time to acknowledge that socks are the new ties, as Katy…