The craft of warmth: fabrics built for autumn

There’s a certain moment each year when the countryside changes its tune.

The air sharpens, leaves crunch underfoot, and you realise that summer’s easy dressing just won’t cut it anymore. Out here, in fields, woods, and winding village lanes, autumn isn’t just a season – it’s a test. 

At Walker and Hawkes, we’ve always believed the answer lies not just in the cut of a jacket or the shape of a cap, but in the very fabric itself. Because when the skies darken and the wind whips across the hills, it’s the cloth that does the heavy lifting – keeping you warm, dry, and comfortable, while still looking the part. 

That’s why we return season, after season, to the classics. Waxed cotton that shrugs off drizzle as if it were nothing. Tweed that has stood the test of time on moors and in markets, Merino wool that balances warmth with breathability, a quiet kind of luxury you’ll notice only when you need it most.

This autumn, let’s take a close look at the fabrics that have earned their place in your wardrobe. Because in the countryside, it’s not just about style – it’s about clothing crafted to work as hard as you do. 

Why fabric matters in autumn

There’s a certain magic in autumn that no other season can quite match. The air sharpens, leaves crunch underfoot, and the countryside takes on that golden glow that makes you want to stay just a little longer. But as any seasoned rambler or dog walker will tell you, autumn can be unpredictable. One moment you’re basking in low afternoon sun, the next you’re pulling your collar tight against a sudden chill. 

That’s where fabric becomes everything. The right cloth isn’t just about keeping warm – it’s about keeping pace with the season. A wax jacket shrugs off a passing shower, a tweed blazer that cuts the wind while still looking sharp in town, a wool jumper that feels like a hug on  brisk mornings. 

At Walker and Hawkes, we’ve always believed fabric tells the story. It’s not just what a garment looks like, it’s how it weathers with you, how it carries you from one season to the next. In autumn, it’s the cloth that makes the difference between cutting your walk short and staying out until the last light fades. 

Waxed cotton: weatherproof heritage

There’s something almost romantic about waxed cotton, a fabric that has stood its ground for centuries against the British weather. Born on the backs of hardy Scottish fisherman, who treated their sails and capes with oils to fight off sea spray, waxed cotton quickly became the fabric of choice for anyone who needed to stay dry without sacrificing movement. From the open waters to the muddy fields, it’s always been a trusted companion.

Today, not much has changed – and that’s the beauty of it. Our wax jackets still carry that same promise: protection without pretense. A light shower, a biting wind, the kind of sideways rain only Britain can throw at you – wax takes it all in its stride. The fabric moulds to its wearer over time, picking up the marks and creases of your adventures,  until it feels less like a jacket and more like an old friend. 

At Walker and Hawkes, we’ve spent over 40 years shaping wax into jackets and gilets that carry this heritage forward. Every stitch, every corduroy collar, every tartan lining is a nod to tradition, and a promise that you’ll stay dry and comfortable, wherever autumn takes you. 

Tweed: rugged elegance

Tweed has always been more than just a fabric, it’s a symbol of the countryside itself. Sturdy yet refined, practical yet unmistakably stylish, it was born on the windswept moors of Scotland and quickly became the uniform of gamekeepers, riders, and gentlemen who knew the value of both resilience and elegance. Each check and stripe tells a story of the land, inspired by heathered hillsides, misty lochs and rolling fields. 

Pull on a tweed jacket and you feel it immediately, that quiet strength woven into every fibre. It’s warm without being stifling, durable without being coarse, and versatile enough to take you from muddy fields to town streets without missing a step. It’s the rare fabric that looks as good layered over a chunky jumper as it does paired with a crisp shirt and tie.

For us at Walker and Hawkes, tweed is a labour of love. We’ve spent decades working with mills steeped in tradition, ensuring every blazer, coat, and cap carries the rugged charm that’s kept tweed relevant for generations. In autumn, when the leaves turn and the air sharpens, tweed comes into its own – a fabric that doesn’t just keep you warm, but connects you to the landscape itself. 

Knitwear: the countryside essential 

There’s something about autumn that makes you reach instinctively for knitwear. Maybe it’s the memory of slipping on a favourite jumper before heading out for a Sunday walk, or the way the soft weight of wool feels like a quiet comfort as the days draw shorter. 

Knitwear has always been the beating heart of country style. From the fisherman of the Aran Islands, whose cable stitches symbolised ropes and safety at ease, to the shepherds of the dales wrapped in wool to guard against biting winds – these garments are stitched with history as much as with yarn. 

What makes it truly essential, though, is its adaptability. A beautifully made Merino Wool jumper layered under a wax jacket keeps you toasty on frosty mornings, while a sleeveless pullover worn with a checked shirt is perfect for those gentler, golden afternoons. Breathable, insulating, and always effortlessly stylish, knitwear gives you that sense of being wrapped in the countryside itself.

At Walker and Hawkes, our knitwear is designed with that spirit in mind – practical, comfortable and timeless. These are the pieces you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again, whether you’re walking the dogs, chopping wood, or simply sitting by the fire as the first log crackles to life. Knitwear doesn’t just keep out the cold – it makes autumn feel like home. 

Accessories: the finishing touches

It’s often the smallest details that make the biggest difference. In the countryside, where practicality is every bit as important as style, accessories aren’t just an afterthought – they’re the finishing touches that carry you comfortably through autumn. 

Think of the flat cap, forever tied to the rolling hills and market towns of Britain. Or the wide-brimmed hat, a quiet shield against sudden showers and low autumn sun. A scarf in soft lambswool adds not just warmth, but a dash of colour to an earthy outfit, while a sturdy pair of gloves make frosty morning feel less like a chore and more like a ritual. 

These little touches have long been part of the British countryside uniform. They’re the pieces that slip easily into your life, ready at the door before you head out to walk the dogs, or tucked into a pocket until the wind sharpens. 

At Walker and Hawkes, we see accessories as more than just additions – they’re the threads that tie your outfit together, giving it character and personality. They remind us that dressing for the outdoors isn’t only about function; it’s about embracing the rhythm of the season with style, comfort, and a little flourish of individuality. 

Embracing autumn, the Walker and Hawkes way

As the countryside changes its colours and the days draw shorter, autumn calls us back to the classics – the jackets that keep out of the rain, the gilets that free your arms , the jumpers that feel like  second skin, and the accessories that finish the story. 

These aren’t just clothes. They’re companions for dog walks at dusk, for weekends spent in the fields, for market trips and fireside evenings. Each piece is crafted with care, rooted in tradition but ready for today – garments that let you step out into the season with confidence, comfort, and unmistakable style. 

At Walker and Hawkes, we believe in making clothing that lasts – through weather, through wear, and through the years. This autumn, we invite you to discover (or rediscover) the pieces that will become your favorites, season after season. 

Because the countryside isn’t just where we find inspiration. It’s where our clothing belongs, with you, out there, making memories in the crisp autumn air.