Dressed for the Occasion: Humes and the Enduring Style of the Country

Menswear, Rachel notes, moves at a different pace to womenswear, but even within ladies fashion, the trends within a country wardrobe change far more slowly than typical High Street, fast fashion.  

“A gilet, a good coat, a quality piece of tweed tailoring; these all used to be seen as older, middle-aged staples. Now they appeal right across the age spectrum with each generation bringing a different aesthetic and style to individual items. I think, too, that people are dressing younger than they ever have, and timeless country classics lend themselves perfectly to that.”

That classic-for-a-reason philosophy extends to Humes' own label, Taylor & Twill, designed in-house for both men's and women's tailoring and sold alongside a well-chosen roster of British and Irish country names — among them Barbour, RM Williams, Schoffel, and Holland Cooper. 

Of course, among the brands Humes is proudest to carry is William Lockie knitwear, made a short drive away in Hawick, and still under the stewardship of David. Specialising in natural fibres such as Cashmere, merino, and lambswool, the brand is known for its handmade quality using traditional techniques that have been passed down for generations. Barbour, too, is an enduring British-made favourite, and their signature wax jackets remain a constant bestseller. “These fabrics were originally designed for the British climate,” Rachel says. “Warm without overheating, practical, and smart. That's one o the main reasons they've stood the test of time.”

When asked why she thought the appeal of these items has remained so timeless, Rachel had a simple, one word answer. 

“Quality. Quality matters more than anything when putting together a timeless wardrobe.” Rachel says. “It doesn't matter what the piece is, if it's well made, it will last more than one or two seasons, and that's what people are looking for now. They want to know where things are made, how they are made and the ethics behind the brand.” 

Humes prides itself on stocking a wide choice of garments that embody that strict quality criteria. Tweeds made from British wool, cut to suit a genuine range of body shapes rather than a single standard fit is just one the reasons loyal customers continue to return season after season. “We've spent a long time curating our range and it’s something we continue to work on day after day. Cheaper pieces are made for the mass market; we like to do things differently.”

Asked what a woman building a wardrobe for equestrian events, horse trials and countryside weekends should invest in first, Rachel keeps to the same advice: quality and simplicity. “A genuinely good pair of boots that work as well for walking as they do day-to-day, a smart outer layer in tweed or waxed cotton, and one statement accessory such as a bright fedora hat or well-made bag to finish the look.”

Both tweed and the waxed jacket are having a style moment, she adds, without losing their practicality. The waxed jacket in particular has seen a fashionable resurgence of late, worn by style-conscious public figures — the Princess of Wales among them — in ways that have brought it firmly back into the mainstream. “The appeal of tweed and wax has spread well beyond both the country set and the UK borders. Americans in particular love the countryside aesthetic.” 

“Tweed has made just as strong a comeback,” Rachel says. “A smarter look, but still easy to wear, whether that's with jeans or smart trousers, a jumper, blouse or shirt. It suits everyone.” The trick to keeping classic pieces feeling current rather than costume-y, she suggests, lies less in reinvention and more in styling. “The same tweed jacket can read as country-house formal or off-duty weekend wear depending on what it's paired with. Truly an investment piece that will last for years to come.”

A Scottish Icon of Country Style

Being based in Scotland shapes how Humes buys throughout the year. “We do buy differently, particularly for spring and summer. We don't get the same summer as further south, so we keep lighter fabrics like linen a smaller part of the range. Scottish winters call for pieces that work across seasons, so transitional clothing is always a priority for us.” 

Even so, a large part of Humes' customer base comes from further afield, with the south of England a consistently popular market for the shop. The business has grown its footprint too, opening a new store in St Andrews last June.

What ties it all together, Rachel says, is a belief that good country clothing should improve with age rather than fade. “Waxed cotton looks better after a few years of wear. Tweed does too, if you look after it; you simply don't get that from the high street. And because the best pieces are timeless you can continue to wear them as you go through life. They suit a student and busy mother and a woman enjoying lunches with friends in her retirement. You can bring a very individual look to a beautiful classic. It just depends how you style them.”

Style Meets Sport at Scone

That same ethos of durable quality sits naturally alongside the world of eventing, where practicality and presentation have always gone hand in hand. As Scone Palace International Horse Trials welcomes elite riders, grassroots competitors and tens of thousands of spectators back to Perth this August, exhibitors like Humes are a reminder that the event's shopping village offers far more than a passing browse: it is a showcase for the same craft, heritage and quality that define the sport itself.

View The Shopping Village at SPIHT26