Comfortable winter wear from moloh, Esk and Rae Feather
Easy classics for cosying up with a box set or country weekends
JANUARY 03 2014
LUCIA VAN DER POST
LUCIA VAN DER POST
I never think January is quite the bleakest month. There’s something brilliantly British about embracing the great outdoors and then cosying up with a thrilling box set. As for the best props for these wintry pleasures, several British companies are doing their best to provide them, for indoors and out. Take Rae Feather: she launched her online company last autumn with the notion of offering easy classics, or what she calls “keepers”, that you reach for on days when you don’t need to dress up. Everything is made in the finest cashmere, wool, cotton or silk and comes in black, navy or just the right shade of grey or oatmeal. Among the bestsellers is the capacious, pure wool rollneck cable-knit poncho (£150, second picture), perfect for draughty country houses, and a long-line cardigan with pockets (£160, third picture). There are also three sorts of trouser: the Palazzo in soft jersey; the Easy Pleat Front, with a tapered leg and comfortable elasticated flat waistband that is great for travelling; and a pair with cuffs at the ankles (all £65), which look good tucked into the Daisy wedge ankle boots (£250, by The Jacksons of Notting Hill, third picture).
Then there’s Moloh, which has a great selection of pieces for weekends in the country. Until now it’s been something of a cult label in the smart Cotswolds environs of Tetbury (where its first shop opened), but this year the sorts of classics it provides – gorgeous tweed jackets, coats and knits, often with a slight bohemian touch – are in tune with the mood of fashion (Kate Middleton being photographed in its tartan Workers coat didn’t do its reputation any harm). Everything it sells is made in short runs in British factories from British fabrics. The Harris tweed Dodger jacket (£565) looks great glammed up with a raccoon collar (£295, both in first picture), while its quirkier takes on classics such as the gold-button Military cream jacket (£495) or the Union Frock jacket in a patchwork of tweeds with blue tab fasteners (£745) are popular with the young fashionable Gloucestershire set. As for knits, its cream poncho with a grey Fair Isle pattern (£215) is perfect fireside-wear.
For more real Scottish knitwear there’s Annan-based Esk. Nothing could be cosier that its 100 per cent cashmere asymmetrical cowl-necked Isla sweater (£425). Team it with leggings and curl up with a book. It also does beanies (£65), scarves (£195) and waistcoats (£225).
