Shooting Season: What to wear to ring in Glorious Twelfth in style

Every year, the Glorious Twelfth marks the start of the grouse shooting season in the UK. A key date in the British countryside calendar, this is when Britain’s most affluent shots head over to the moorlands to try their hand at shooting with their loved ones. With grouse being the toughest bird to shoot, the hunt for this wild bird starts game season off with a proper bang. And as it is with every high profile sporting event, this is just as much a social call as it is a display of skill. As a result, looking the part is quite high on the list of priorities for this occasion. 

So as hunting season begins and the British countryside becomes a sea of tweed and other sartorial statements, here are a few of our favourite country staples to help you ring in Glorious Twelfth and game season in complete style. From classic luxury from trusted heritage brands to understated elegance to match the unpredictability of August British weather, you cannot go wrong with these elegantly tailored pieces in your shooting wardrobe.House check fringed cashmere scarf, Holland & Holland

Holland & Holland has unveiled its new House Tweed collection in collaboration with ‘Home of Tweed’ Lovat Mill, just in time for game season. Encapsulating the colours found in the marque’s shotguns, the House check fringed cashmere scarf is the perfect addition to your shooting style kit this Glorious Twelfth. An ideal accompaniment to the unpredictable English weather, not only is this a stylish sartorial accessory, but also the perfect thing to keep you warm in unexpected cold snaps. Crafted from the softest cashmere, it offers warmth and timeless style with its classic house check pattern. Perfect for adding a sophisticated touch to any outfit, this scarf combines comfort with elegance for every occasion.Women’s Tom Purdey tweed kit, Purdey

If you’re looking for a head-to-toe shooting outfit that is sleek, sophisticated and perfectly tailored, Purdey’s women’s Tom Purdey tweed kit has it all. Comprising a field coat, a high collar shooting vest and shooting breek, this kit is all you need to be decked out for a hunting trip. The field coat is a sophisticated take on a traditional design, crafted in Italy from luxurious 100% Scottish tweed. It’s built for warmth and protection with a Sympatex drop liner membrane and wool wadding, making it ideal for chilly winter days. The shooting vest features a traditional high collar, shooting patches for enhanced grip and shoulder protection, and adjustable back tabs for a tailored fit. Finally, the shooting breeks include traditional side waist buckle adjusters for a perfect fit, a two-pleat detail on the front, a full lining for added comfort, elegant horn buttons, and a merino single-layer knitted cuff for extra warmth and comfort.Harrow ladies tweed shooting jacket, Holland & Holland

If there is one style staple that you cannot complete your game season outfit without, it is an elegant shooting jacket. Holland & Holland’s Harrow ladies tweed shooting jacket is the perfect choice for a distinguished shot. Available in two colours – hazel and honeysuckle – this tweed three-button tailored jacket features an action back for ease of swing, horn buttons, side vents, ticket pocket, storm flaps and a zipped internal pocket. Stylish yet practical, luxurious and impeccably crafted, it truly has it all.Men’s Percy cashmere tweed kit, Purdey

Just like their women’s kit, Purdey also has a men’s cashmere tweed kit that is your one-stop-shop for all your shooting needs. It features a field coat made out of a Scottish tweed blend of 90% wool and 10% cashmere, ensuring exceptional warmth on even the chilliest winter days. Meanwhile, the shooting vest is an elegant addition to any sportsman’s wardrobe, and is designed for optimal performance in the field. Features include a traditional high collar for added protection, shooting patches for enhanced grip and shoulder support, and adjustable back tabs for a comfortable, tailored fit.Highgrove men’s shooting coat, Holland & Holland

Come rain or shine, Holland & Holland’s Highgrove men’s shooting coat can weather all storms while also providing timeless style. This fieldcoat contains a multitude of features, including an action back that allows for ease of swing and large bellow cartridge pockets with tab retainer for fast and instinctive access when on the peg. Also in the jacket is a removable fleece gilet., elasticated storm cuffs with a thumb hole, removable shoulder carry strap, fleece lined hand warmers, cartridge pocket retainers and expandable cartridge pockets, zipped game pocket, quilted sleeve lining and alcantara trims. It doesn’t get more practical than this.Men’s and women’s leather boots, Purdey

Come rain or shine, a good pair of boots can change the entire game. Purdey’s classic field sports boots – for both men and women – offer excellent protection from wind, rain and terrain. They are incredibly resistant to wet weather and are updated with a Ridgeway sole that gives fantastic grip across all terrains. Handcrafted in Northampton, the sole can be easily replaced and repaired, elongating the life of the boots. Silver bolt action rifle cufflinks, Holland & Holland

Cufflinks are one of the most underrated yet sophisticated accessories in an outfit. And depending on the type of cufflink you choose to wear, it can be a subtle way to showcase your personality. And what better way to commemorate the hunting season than by donning some silver bolt action rifle cufflinks from Holland & Holland? Inspired by the brand’s bolt action rifle, these British hallmarked sterling silver cufflinks with hinged back fitting feature H&H Emblem engraving. Fashion trends may come and go, but cufflinks will never go out of style.Bridle leather gun cover, Purdey

When out hunting, you should always have a reliable gun cover in your arsenal. Purdey’s gun cover, made out of premium bridle leather, is exactly that. Offering exceptional durability and protection, the sheepskin lining ensures a snug and secure fit, while the locking leather carry strap provides added convenience and peace of mind, ensuring that the slip stays securely closed.

Images: Purdey and Holland & Holland

Read more style stories with Tempus