Classic English Country Clothes for Him - Gifts with English Country Style

English country houses and country house hotels always have spare Wellington boots - Wellies - lined up at the back door for wet weather walks. Most people who get out to the country have a pair or two in the boot (trunk) of their cars. Classic wellies are dark green, molded rubber water proof boots that allow you to hike through the ankle deep puddles and squidgy mud that are a natural part of English spring and fall. These are the originals - made by Hunter the company that invented the Wellington back in the 1800s. They've got an adjustable strap and the distinctive Hunter logo on the front. And they come in any color you'd like...as long as it's green.

The Irish and the Scots claim the tweed flat cap as their own. So do Yorkshiremen. In fact, the "flat cap man" is a regular fixture at the market in the center of the city of York. The tweed flat cap, sturdy, warm and waterproof is one of those items of English country clothing popular with men - and sometimes women - throughout the British Isles. There are flashy tweeds for golfers, subtle tweeds for drivers, sturdy tweeds for outdoor workers. It's a democratic style as well, worn by working men, anglers and country lairds.

The Barbour, a waxed and waterproof, heavy canvas jacket is the definitive item of traditional English country clothing. Worn by both men and women, it's an investment item that not only lasts for years but gets better and better with the wearing. Though long popular with the horsey set - worn for point-to-points and other equine eventing occasions - it has become a kind of universal garment for mucking about in cold, wet weather. A must for the real anglophile on your holiday gift list.

The styling of this traditional English country sweater for men dates back more than 100 years. Made in the UK of mountain sheep wools, with suede shoulder and elbow patches, its heather greys and browns come from the natural wools. It's durable and suitable for fast changing weather. A nice modern touch is that it is machine washable.

Stewarton, in the west of Scotland, has been a historic wool district in its day. A few mills still process the lanolin-rich wool of local sheep. It knits up into sweaters that are naturally insulating and water-resistant - a good choice for cold and misty North Atlantic coasts or anywhere chilly and wet. This Scottish made, Stewarton wool, cable knit pullover from National Geographic, has a quarter-zip collar and comes in men's sizes.