Discover Contemporary Country-Chic For Fall From Purdey
Fusing its heritage credentials with considered silhouettes, Purdey’s latest collection adds a sporting spin to quiet-luxury closets
British brand Purdey is truly a heritage house. Founded in 1814 as a rifle- and gun-making business, the storied name remains family-owned to this day, with an offering that has grown to encompass multiple elements of a luxury lifestyle, including a sleek ready-to-wear collection. Drawing on two centuries of sporting history, designs are intended to segue neatly from countryside escapes to elegant city occasions – with a sprinkling of nostalgia conjuring the Brideshead Revisited era thrown in for good measure.
Passed down through seven generations of the Purdey family, craftsmanship and provenance have long been weaved into the brand’s DNA. Think carefully sourced fabrics (lambswool, soft cashmere and crisp cotton-flannel), considered details (buttons are subtly rubber coated for outdoor pursuits), and masterful cutting – an approach that chimes perfectly with the current appetite for discreet, modern luxury.
Indeed, tradition is ingrained in Purdey’s ethos, born out in timeless silhouettes and a lineup of house-designed tweeds that are integral to the collection, and woven by the internationally renowned Lovat Mill in Hawick. But archival inspiration never comes at the expense of innovation; technical details (waterproof coatings and extra-warm pockets are ready for the elements) and precision finishing are central to the brand’s approach.
“Drawing on two centuries of sporting history, designs are intended to segue neatly from countryside escapes to elegant city occasions
”
The FW23 collection is no exception, with iconic pieces rooted in Purdey’s rich history. Indeed, when the brand opened its first clothing outfitters on Mount Street, London, in the 1970s, it was dedicated to ‘apparel for the field’. This season’s offering retains that spirit, albeit updated with sharp tailoring and sophisticated details that ensure pieces look at home on and off the field, and will slot neatly into your day-to-day closet. The ‘Trench’ cape is a case in point: cut in a classic wool cashmere blend, the style is trimmed in leather – a further nod to the house’s leather-luggage heritage – to cement its urban credentials.
Tailored separates also look to the brand’s sporting history, with a sharply cut double-breasted blazer in a green-and-navy tweed standing out as the collection’s day-to-night dream piece – and an excellent example of the line’s versatility. Elsewhere, tapered pants in gray wool deliver understated chic; pair with penny loafers and a slim-fit tank now, then layer on a chunky knit when the weather cools.
“By updating its rich heritage with a deft, contemporary approach to design, Purdey creates covetable pieces with closet longevity
”
Be sure to try Purdey’s knitwear, too, which is crafted in the UK using traditional methods. Balancing style with substance, the brand’s premium cashmere yarns are both soft and warm, with original patterns delivering timeless style, and modern design tweaks securing contemporary appeal. The ‘Fair Isle Falcon’ sweater, for example, is Wish-List worthy – knitted in a classic intarsia with an oversized silhouette, it’s the ultimate autumn-layering piece that will also protect you against the elements; each piece is thoughtfully considered, then carefully executed.
And when it comes to after-dark dressing? Look to Purdey’s Estate Evening capsule, which boasts casual iterations of black-tie attire, and is perfectly placed for an elegant dinner or nighttime event. Here, tweeds are a little finer, silhouettes a little sharper, with the addition of evening-ready velvet and a color palette that instantly evokes sophisticated soirées. By updating its rich heritage with a deft, contemporary approach to design, Purdey creates covetable pieces with closet longevity. In short, expect sartorial nectar.