Tweed jackets, ties and shotguns

[creampuff]

I've got the buying urge for a shotgun to shoot at some clay targets. I'm also not British by birth and didn't grow up here.

Can somebody please explain to me why shotguns in the UK seem to go hand in hand with people wearing tweed jackets/Barbour coats/ties and hats?

[randlemarcus]

Because both tweed and waxed cotton resists both thorns and mild rain. Which are useful things.

Going to a shoot in Goretex and black boots is a bit of a no.

Rough shoots and clays, wear what's comfortable

[creampuff]

randlemarcus said:

Because both tweed and waxed cotton resists both thorns and mild rain. Which are useful things.

Going to a shoot in Goretex and black boots is a bit of a no.

OK that may provide some explanation for the tweed, though I'd still prefer black walking boots and a Goretex jacket. But what about the tie?

[WindyCommon]

Take away the guns and the picture could be the car park at Twickenham on match day. Now, if someone could explain this to me I'd be most grateful...

[Smollet]

WindyCommon said:

Take away the guns and the picture could be the car park at Twickenham on match day. Now, if someone could explain this to me I'd be most grateful...

My dear fellow if it needs to be explained to you then I'm afraid you're just the wrong sort.

[battered]

creampuff said:

Can somebody please explain to me why shotguns in the UK seem to go hand in hand with people wearing tweed jackets/Barbour coats/ties and hats?

Because, dear chap, that's how a gentleman dresses in the country. As for the tie, the last thing you want to happen is to be mistaken for one of the beaters.

A hat is just jolly good sense. It rains in this country, after all.

[jinkster]

The tweed apart from being hard wearing also blends in with the countryside and moorlands hence camouflage against those pesky birds.

[popeyewhite]

From memory some Barbour jackets have an elongated 'pocket' in the back you can stuff a pheasant in. Not sure any of those hats are Barbour. Maybe one. Barbour doesn't sell ties AFAIA.

[aeropilot]

battered said:

creampuff said:

Can somebody please explain to me why shotguns in the UK seem to go hand in hand with people wearing tweed jackets/Barbour coats/ties and hats?

Because, dear chap, that's how a gentleman dresses in the country. As for the tie, the last thing you want to happen is to be mistaken for one of the beaters.

Former Battle of Britain foes, Adolf Galland (on left) and Bob Stanford-Tuck enjoying a post-war 'old fighter pilot bonding' session, probably taken in the 1960's.
Early in the war, Galland had his Luftwaffe pilots out shooting on a regular basis whenever possible as it was seen as a good skill in learning the art of deflection shooting.

Edited by aeropilot on Monday 8th May 09:47

[DJFish]

In the beginning people shot birds, generally the sort of people who went on organised shoots were pretty well off so dressing for the occasion was the done thing (think Downton Abbey....) there was a fair bit of etiquette involved and it remains today, one doesn't turn up to an organised shoot with a pump action & a shell suit.

Generally the sort of gear available to the modern shooting gentleman is actually pretty fit for purpose being waterproof, warm, breathable etc so people tend to use it for other types of shooting (rough shoots and sporting clays etc....) or maybe people just like wearing tweed?
Of course if you spend hundreds on a shooting jacket you're going to want to get your money's worth.

For breaking clays, people generally just wear a shooting vest/waistcoat/gilet over normal clothes, these are usually fairly subdued colours as you don't want to scare the clays, although some people do like to clash....

The other end of the scale is competitive clay shooting which is more trainers, personalised & sponsored vests & lairy sunglasses....