OPINION

WHY I’M ESCAPING TO THE COUNTRY THIS AUTUMN

By Flo Bellinger, 29 September 2025

Self-confessed city girl coming at you with breaking news: I think I have London fatigue. As you pause with an inevitable gasp, let me explain why. Summer was all balmy evenings and people watching, sipping pale beverages and tapping my ballerina-clad toes on the sun-kissed pavement. I read, I danced, I ate a bevy of small plates. Life was good. But with darker evenings and cooler mornings, these outdoor excursions have been relegated to the soft edges of my memory. The same urban activities I once embraced are now burdened by wardrobe conundrums and rain-soaked sensory overload. Put shortly: I want to escape to the country.

Woman wearing barn jacket and scrunchie | ASOS Style Feed

Picture: Getty

I’m not the only one with a sudden yearning for England’s green and pleasant lands. Autumn is the apéritif before we fully gorge ourselves on winter’s fisherman knits and fur-lined coats – and with suitably in-between weather, this makes it the perfect time to get outside before the cold drives us under the duvet. Dining roadside al-fresco might have been appetising in June, July and August, but these crisp ‘ber months require a little more exploratory thinking – I’m talking hillside walks, crunchy leaves and enough barn jackets to fill a rural village.

Woman wearing barn jacket and head scarf | ASOS Style Feed

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HOW TO STYLE THE TREND

Luckily, fashion got the memo. This season is all about embracing a countryside aesthetic with plaid-lined arms wide open. From Burberry’s big comeback to the rugby-shirt revival, our wardrobes are one Barbour jacket away from a full-blown Balmoral bonanza. So, in honour of my daydreams about a fashionable Cotswolds getaway, I’ve collated all the pieces I’ll be escaping to the country in this autumn. Keep scrolling if you fancy joining me.

BARN JACKETS

Collage of woman wearing ASOS | ASOS Style Feed

Pictures: ASOS

No grand autumnal escape is complete without a good jacket. This year those of the barn variety are enjoying a second wave. 2024 saw them initiated into every it-girl’s wardrobe, and now – thanks to British brands like Burberry and Barbour, collared and corduroy-lined layers are back in business. Bonus points if your rural finery comes in an earthy colour palette. Think hunter green, navy and more browns than a box of Bourbons.

GET THE LOOK:

ASOS DESIGN oversized washed jacket with leather look collar in stone, £65
Topshop barn jacket with buckle detail in tan, £75
Noisy May barn jacket with faux leather collar detail in brown, £50
Barbour Milby Quilt jacket in olive/ancient, £199

WELLY BOOTS

Picture: Getty

Kate Moss at Glastonbury in 2005.

Pictures: ASOS

It’d be remiss not to mention a welly at some point. A cornerstone of British culture and an autumnal staple you can truly sink your feet into, these weather-proof shoes have become an unexpected fashion statement in their own right. Whether you opt for cute Chelsea boots or classic knee-highs, no stomp around the country is complete without a pair of these at hand. And with their no-frills design, a good Wellington is the perfect finishing flourish to more feminine ensembles. (Kate Moss knew what she was doing with that sparkly mini dress).

GET THE LOOK:

Barbour Halton chunky Chelsea wellington boots in olive, £70
SEQWL wellies in black, £26
Hunter Downpour tall wellington boots in dark olive, £100
Barbour Mallow chelsea welly in black/vicuna, £60

RUGBY SHIRTS

Pictures: ASOS

You’ve been ducking for cover if the rugby shirt roundups have missed you. Striped silhouettes and collared pullovers have been trending since the first post-summer cloud was forecast – and just as the welly brings a tough edge to your usual roster, these sporty tops are a fun way to mix up more formal pieces. The old-school varsity aesthetic is also an apt nod to British heritage, making them worthy of my countryside packing list. I particularly love when a crisp white T-shirt pokes out from underneath a colourful rugby print; proof that autumnal layering is really the gift that keeps on giving.

GET THE LOOK:

Reclaimed Vintage stripe rugby long sleeve polo in green and brown, £35.99
South Beach stripe knitted rubgy tee in navy, £38
ASOS DESIGN knitted rugby top in beige stripe, £32
ASOS DESIGN fluffy knitted polo top in pink stripe, £32

TONS OF TARTAN

Pictures: ASOS

I mentioned Balmoral, and this particularly trend is where your Highland fantasies really come into their own. Queen Lizzie and her beloved corgis were no stranger to tartan, often seen striding the Scottish mountains in suitably chic checked pieces. These structured lines and warming colour palettes can instantly perk up a drizzly day and bring some pomp and circumstance to your comfy layers. So no matter how muddy your steps, you’ll always look put-together.

GET THE LOOK:

Barbour Tartan mini umbrella in classic, £38
Never Fully Dressed relaxed tartan trouser in blue and green, £129
Reclaimed Vintage hair clip 2 pack in brown tartan print, £9.99
Native Youth brushed check midaxi dress in tartan, £48

OLD-SCHOOL KNITS

Pictures: ASOS

This last seasonal staple is probably already on your wishlist. As we pack away the linen shirts and camisoles, attention dutifully turns to the knitwear roster – arguably the most important aspect of autumn’s wardrobe. The countryside aesthetic has made thick, old-school knitwear the darling of AW25 – think ribbed styles, rollnecks and even the odd bit of argyle. I’ll be the first to admit the annual jumper hunt can get a bit tiring, so it’s nice to see 2025 embracing more daring varieties. Best believe I’ll be packing a few grandpa-friendly knits next to my Earl Grey tea and digestives.

GET THE LOOK:

ASOS DESIGN argyle brushed boyfriend cardigan in red, £50
ONLY brushed knitted jumper in brown argyle, £35
ASOS DESIGN arygle oversized boxy cardigan in chocolate and olive, £35
Topshop knitted argyle jumper in cream, £55