What to wear on your first shoot

Game bird, waterfowl and clay pigeon shooting are all highly thrilling, accessible and enjoyable outdoor experiences. However, if you have not yet experienced the joys of shooting days then it can seem daunting upon first venturing into the protocols and etiquette that surround appropriate shooting attire. After all, as seasoned countryside clothing designer Nigel Musto states;

“The fashion in shooting is to avoid looking like the keeper yet appear as though you’ve been doing it for years. It’s very difficult to get right”.

At Eden Private Staff we recognise this designer dilemma and as such have created the following guide on appropriate shooting attire. So without further ado, here are some exclusive insights and fashion tips from seasoned shooters and clothing designers to ensure you look stylish and sophisticated throughout your first shoot;

How to choose stylish shooting shirts and ties

Upon attending a formal shoot, green or brown check shirts are the traditional fashion choice for both men and women. Upon choosing a shooting shirt, it is advised that you opt for muted, darker colours which will reduce your chances of being spotted by the birds you intend to shoot. With regards to suitable shirt fabrics,  natural fibre varieties such as tattersall, fine merino wool and brushed cotton are all excellent choices because of their lightweight and breathable composition.

If you plan to attend a formal shoot then you will need to pair your shooting shirt with a woven or printed silk tie. Rough textured ties that have been secured with a discreet silver pin are appropriate for formal shoots because they will not catch the light and draw the attention of the birds. Although it is not mandatory for women to wear ties on a formal shoot, many choose to do so, or to pair their shirts with a smart cravat or scarf to ward against the cold weather. Fortunately, many countryside clothing stores stock a wide range of ties in a variety of colours; all of which will liven up a tweed jacket and ensure you appear stylish and sophisticated on your first shoot.

Selecting suitable shooting vests and knitwear

On a formal shoot, it is traditional for men to wear a three piece tweed suit with matching breeks or trousers, a shooting vest and a jacket. When it comes to choosing your shooting vest, you should make sure that it has been fitted with four buttons and large pockets which will comfortably hold a box of cartridges and shooting patches. Depending upon the formality of your shoot and the weather conditions on the day in question, you can choose to pair your shooting vest with a fine merino wool or cashmere knitwear.

Women should also wear a tweed shooting vest to a formal shoot. If you purchase your shooting vest in a dark brown or green hue then it will compliment your shooting shirts and additional tweed attire. Alternatively, in recent years many women have chosen to wear fashionable waistcoats instead of conventional shooting vests. If you plan on doing so, you should opt for muted tones and check that your waistcoats can facilitate a wide range of motion in order to aid your gun fit and gun mount throughout the day. Similarly to men’s shooting attire, it is recommended that you layer your outfit with a merino wool knitwear or cashmere vest on a cold weather shoot.

How to find your ideal pair of breeks or trousers

When attending a formal shoot it is advised you wear tweed trousers or breeks; traditional shooting trousers that have been designed with a neater fit and an extra few inches of material to fold over the knee. Both men and women are advised to invest in a matching pair of breeks and shooting vest in order to achieve flawless formal shooting attire. However, if you intend to participate in a less formal shooting event then a pair of moleskin trousers in an olive, lovat or dark brown colour would also be acceptable.

Women have a broader spectrum of choice with regards to lower body shooting attire. Although it is traditional for women to wear tweed breeks or trousers, many shooting stores now stock a variety of women’s shooting trousers in a selection of moleskin, loden and corduroy fabrics which will enable you to achieve a less formal yet eminently sophisticated look.

Invest in a high quality shooting jacket

A sophisticated shooting jacket or coat is a staple fixture of any formal shooting outfit. As a rule, both men and women should invest in a jacket that is warm, comfortable and 100% waterproof. When choosing a shooting jacket, its colour and style will be largely dependent upon the type of shoot you plan to attend. For example, green and brown hues are primarily worn for pheasant and partridge shoots whereas darker blue and heather tones are more appropriate for grouse shoots. Shooting jackets, or field coats as they are often known, are primarily made from tweed with a Gortex lining.

Before purchasing your shooting jacket, check that it allows for a wide range of motion for gun manoeuvrability. A high quality shooting jacket should have deep pockets for housing a box of cartridges, popper fastenings to hold the pockets open, and lamb’s wool lining to keep your hands warm in between shots.

Alternatively, many women choose to wear fleece waistcoats and quilted gilets on cold weather shoots. If you intend to wear this type of fashionable country attire, ensure that it has been sufficiently waterproofed and that it will not restrict your range of motion whilst shooting. Whatever you decide upon, just ensure that you bring 100% waterproof rainwear along should the weather take a turn for the worse!

Finding appropriate shooting hats

On a formal shoot it is customary for both men and women to wear a shooting hat. As a rule, it is recommended men purchase a peaked tweed cap so that your eyes will be shielded from the elements whilst taking aim. Even if you plan to attend an informal shoot, it is suggested that you wear a hat that has been designed with a muted colour and pattern so as not to draw the birds’ attention!

Many women often choose to invest in a fedora hat for a relaxed shooting event and men also have the option of wearing a stylish baseball cap. As long as you stick to the rule of muted colours, and that men choose a baseball cap with a traditional garforth shape, you will look stylish and remain protected against any adverse weather conditions.

Invest in comfortable yet resilient footwear

One of the most important aspects of your shooting attire will be selecting comfortable, durable and highly functional footwear. A sturdy, waterproof pair of walking boots or wellington boots are a must. Before purchasing footwear for your first shoot, always double check that they provide sufficient grip, that they will support your ankles on uneven ground as well as flat earth, and that they have been fitted with a high quality lining that will keep your feet warm, dry and comfortable throughout any shoot.

Walking boots or wellington boots that have been fitted with an insulated, highly durable neoprene or full-grained leather lining are both excellent choices. In recent years, many women also have started purchasing faux fur or real fleece lined shooting boots. These luxurious, highly comfortable options are great investments due to their insulating properties and sumptuous soft nature. Just bear in mind that they will not retain these qualities for as long as the neoprene lined boots.

Furthermore, both men and women should always pair their comfortable footwear with long, preferably knee high, socks. You should also wear stockings that have been tied with garters to prevent them from falling down during your shoot. Throughout the harsh winter months it is recommended you wear two pairs of thick thermal socks to keep your feet warm, dry and comfortable.

Due to the fact that your socks will not be visible to the birds you intend to shoot, shooting socks are a great way to inject some colour or a vibrant design into your shooting attire. Many shooting fashion stores stock a variety of brightly coloured choices in eye-catching designs so you are only limited by their stock availability and your own personal preferences!

Never overlook sufficient ear and eye protection

Whilst shooting it is important that you invest in high quality ear protection. Fortunately, shooting stores have catered for these needs and stock a variety of ear defenders, moulded earplugs, disposable plugs and high quality digital headphones. It is recommended that you sample several of these options to find a pair that feel comfortable, will keep your ears warm, and will remain in place whilst shooting.

In this same manner, it is also recommended that you invest in sufficient eye protection; particularly if you plan to go clay shooting. A pair of specialist prescription shooting glasses can serve as a great long term investment for all manner of clay, game bird and waterfowl shooting. Shield lenses that have been made without a frame are ideal because they will provide comprehensive protection against wind, dust and shocks, they will facilitate minimal frame distraction by providing an uninterrupted field of vision, and you can depend upon them to remain comfortable and in place throughout the shoot.

Remember to pack additional shooting supplies

In addition to your fundamental shooting attire, there are several useful accessories which you can bring to your first shoot. Any seasoned shooter will inform you that a sturdy waterproof holdall, cartridge bag or belt with a resilient strap is a useful addition to a long day of shooting. Choose a waterproof material such as leather to ensure your cartridges and chokes remain dry and easily accessible throughout your shoot. It is also advisable to pack this cartridge bag with a small hip flask, proof of insurance/ license for your gun and a cloth to keep your hands clean.

You may also wish to purchase a pair of shooting gloves to keep your hands warm and steady during cold weather shoots. Upon purchasing gloves for a shoot, you should select a pair that have been made from a thin insulating fabric so that you will be able to reload and feel the trigger with ease. In fact, many country retail stores now stock specialty shooting gloves which have a cut-away finger to facilitate hassle-free handling as well as warmth and comfort.

Preparing for your first shoot alongside a seasoned gamekeeper

If you intend to take up shooting on your own estate then why not consider investing in an Eden Private Staff approved gamekeeper? Whether you have recently acquired a luxurious country manor with extensive grounds, or if you have decided to convert a portion of your existing estate into a shooting grounds for leisure or business purposes, then a gamekeeper can be relied upon to manage this area of countryside in a professional and efficient manner.

A professional gamekeeper will immaculately prepare your land for shooting events by implementing targeted measures to ensure there is enough game for shooting across your designated area of woodland, moorland or farmland. The academic credentials and extensive career experience of our Eden Private Staff approved gamekeeper’s means that they can also be depended upon to prevent poaching on your land. They will also exercise sufficient pest control measures throughout the year as well as rearing and releasing specific game birds such as pheasants and partridges in accordance with your individual preferences.

Should you have any enquiries regarding the candidate selection process for hiring one of our seasoned gamekeepers, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our dedicated Eden Private Staff customer service team today. Above all else, we hope that you have a happy and successful first shoot!