When the hustle and bustle of city life feels too much, seek solace in the fashion gang’s latest rural pursuit.

And with this year’s fashion focus on the Royal Family, it was only a matter of time before designers took their cue from the Queen and co.

From equestrian show ponies to tartan armies, the heritage look stalked the catwalks this year as Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Fendi all worked countryside glamour, turning traditional plaids and checks into today’s top trend.

Both relaxed and formal, this rustic look, with its focus on traditional plaids and checks, is all about cosy, winter-friendly daywear. And whether you want to channel traditional heritage or an urban edge, there’s more than one way to mount the trend.

Highland fling

You don’t need a country pile – or a palace – to dress up in heritage checks. Become the baroness of your own front garden with tartan, houndstooth and Prince of Wales checks.

These plaids can look subtle and serious in a neutral or earthy colour palette, or fun and irreverent in bright shades and bolder prints.

Checks are adorning just about every separate this season, so either smarten up in a tailored suit or keep things light-hearted with a flippy kilt-inspired skirt or minimalist shift dress.

If you really want to play on the posh totty look, accessorise with pearls and heeled loafers. Avoid stick-in-the-mud stilettos at all costs.

Equestrian adventure

From stables to streetwear, the equestrian look has galloped ahead of autumnal trends. Even horsey prints and accessories are riding high in the style stakes.

This look is all about the legs – if they’re one of your best assets, swap the leggings for skinny jodhpur trousers. Opt for camel for a true stable girl look or, for a more flattering effect, stick to deep wine tones.

For a head-to-toe horsey effect, team your jodhpurs with a fitted blazer in navy or tweed. Cord and velvet trims will really boost your dressage skills.

Whether you want to go all out or simply add an equestrian edge, riding boots are your key accessory to instantly make everything countrified. They should always be flat, leather and black or brown – just add muck for authenticity. Just remember a riding hat is going a touch too far…

Local yokel

If you’re a great outdoors addict, an overcoat is an essential purchase. Think Barbour-inspired styles with quilted fabric, contrast trims and even elbow patches.

An instantly recognisable heritage cover-up is the easiest way to nail this trend. There’s no shortage of options for the outerwear-inclined and with woolly tartan, wax jackets and padded coats on the country market, one thing you won’t be is cold or wet this winter.

Farmer Giles may be your fashion inspiration but tweed flat caps are a no-go scarecrow area. Keep things glam by teaming your country coat with a felt fedora in a statement autumnal hue such as claret, berry or rust.

Your look should say British style icon rather than Emmerdale old timer.

If wellies are your footwear of choice, invest in a plain, versatile pair that will work with dresses and trousers alike.

Made in Chelsea

If you’re a city girl through and through, you don’t have to get your feet muddy to put your stamp on this look.

No longer reserved for farmers and OAPs, fabulous tweeds should be your country uniform of choice.

Aim for a preppy look by working tweed into heritage style separates such as skirts, blazers and dresses in the classic earthy beige colourway.

As a country fraud, go wild pulling together mixed fabrics. A combination of tweeds, vintage florals, lace and velvet will give your look a modern eclectic touch.

For footwear fanatics, Chelsea boots should be ideal for your stomping ground (the shops). Pick a pair of classic ankle flats for maximum comfort.

Get the look

Give your cardigan collection some X Factor appeal. Make like judge Kelly Rowland and be top dog in Topshop’s knitted Dalmatian cardigan, £65 (www.topshop.com).

Buy it now

Not content with dominating our TV screens, Gok Wan is back at Sainsbury’s with his second collection for Tu. Think tuxedos, sequins and sexy wrap dresses for the party season. Gok for TU is available at more than 200 stores nationwide from November 17. For more information visit www.sainsburys.co.uk/gok or call 0800 636 262.

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