Weird Life Life Digital Magazine - AW23

4 | THE OUTSIDERS

Read about our motivation behind our brand new Autumn/Winter campaign, all about getting outdoors and not always going with the flow.

6

| 30TH BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to us! We turn 30th this year and to celebrate we have released some very special limited edition Macaroni sweatshirts.

10 | OUR TOP PICKS

We have picked some of our favourite pieces to kit you out this Autumn and Winter, from warm knits to rugged shirts and cracking outerwear

16 | WEIRD FISH X DESTINATION BRITISH COLUMBIA

We are proud to have teamed up with the tourist board; Destination British Columbia on this latest campaign, and they have shared some amazing places to visit if you make it over there

24 | COMPETITON TIME

Be in with a chance to win a £5000 holiday to Canada! Plus a wardrobe full of Weird Fish clothing.

26 | DRESS TO IMPRESS

Take a look at some of our latest dresses, designed for all seasons, in a range of vibrant prints, colours and fabrics.

28 | GET SHIRTY

From smart shirts to lined lumberjack style, and toasty warm lined shackets, we have a shirt for all temperatures.

30 | TASTY RECIPES

Tantalise your tastebuds with some traditional Canadian inspired recipes, including the famous Poutine and a variation on a Bloody Mary.

38 | SEASONAL BEERS

Wash down those cheesy chips with one or all of these hand selected ales all from breweries around the UK.

40 | A DAY WITH THE RSPB

See how we got on when Weird Fish HQ volunteered at an RSPB reserve in the West Midlands.

46 | LOVE TO LOUNGE

As the nights draw in and the days get shorter you will want to get into yourself into our latest range of super comfy loungewear, from PJs to slippers, and giant cosy jumpers.

50 | NEW LIFE

Find out more about our charity partner Newlife, and how you can help disabled children too.

The Outsiders range is not only about getting outside and embracing what the world has to offer, but about you being you, ready to try new things, do things differently, swimming against the shoal and doing it the Weird Fish way ... not weird, just different.

We’ve had Canada on our radar for a long time as a place we would love to test our clothing, so when the opportunity to work with Destination British Columbia arose, we were excited to say the least!

Our new range of feel-good favourites looked right at home against the stunning mountains, lakes, forests and beaches of British Columbia, the perfect backdrop to our exciting new styles. This season look out for our exclusive new prints across the women’s range, alongside new takes on our best-selling knits, and what could be more Canadian than our range of checked shackets for him and her.

To celebrate our 30th Anniversary, we’ve also created a range of heritage heroes based on styles from when it all began, including limited edition Macaroni tops, slow-spun from our best-selling fabric.

We are thankful to the First Nations, and would like to promote the “Leave No Trace” responsible tourism message. Many thanks to Destination British Columbia for all their help and support in making this amazing adventure happen. https://leavenotrace.ca/ https://www.hellobc.com/

To celebrate our 30th Birthday, we gave our designers the challenge to create a range of limited edition Macaroni tops, with a look never seen before, and here they are! This much loved fabric has been a favourite since 1993, and this small batch run is definitely one for the collectors, so catch them while you can!

For our latest campaign we are excited to have partnered with Destination BC, to showcase our new season styles against the stunning backdrop of super, natural British Columbia, Canada.

In June this year we packed our new autumn/ winter range and headed off on an adventure. Flying from London to Vancouver, we then took the beautiful Sea-to-Sky Highway Route, Super Natural BC (hellobc.com) through Squamish to our first base in Whistler. While there we visited the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre to learn more about the First Nations, their traditions and values. It was fascinating to hear traditional songs from the Lil’wat and Squamish people, and learn about how they use the plants and nature they strive to preserve.

We then drove the beautiful and rugged Pacific Marine Circle Route - Pacific Marine Circle Route, Tourism Vancouver Island all the way through Jordan River to Port Renfrew, stopping off at many of the stunning beaches before returning to Sooke, where we based ourselves. Sooke and surrounding areas are located on traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Coast Salish peoples..

We are thankful to the First Nations, and would like to promote the “Leave No Trace” responsible tourism message. It is important to respect all areas you visit when you are travelling or on holiday, take your rubbish away, don’t disturb the wildlife or vegetation, and leave everywhere as you found it.

https://leavenotrace.ca/

Laura our Chief Product Officer has selected some favourites from this season’s women’s collection. Dan our Marketing Manager selects his top four pieces to pack on adventures this Autumn.

Our best-selling shape in a subtle micro-spot print. Spots are timeless and so versatile to dress up and down. I’ll wear to the office with a blazer or dress down with our Cabello cardigan. Top tip ... add on the Una tights in charcoal-marl and they’ll go with all the prints!

Lightweight padded jacket to grab on the move and pack with me everywhere I go. It’s lightweight but warm making it the ideal jacket to travel with.

A soft cotton jumper I’ve been waiting for. Heavy enough to feel like an extra layer without being too bulky. Garment dyed for an individual feel.

My favourite new season knit wear. It’s versatile enough to wear with any shade of denim, or dress up with the Kiruna spot skirt for an outfit to make you smile. I’ll pack this jumper with me everywhere I go.

Midweight padded gilet perfect for the transitional weather when I want to get outside before the winter comes. I layer up over my fleece, or even simply a shirt for easy to peel layers! Fresh colours I can combine easily with my wardrobe.

This knit is mainly made from recycled polyester, and inspired by classic Scandinavian design, I know it will see me through years to come!

25 liter capacity, side water bottle holders and internal zip pockets and a laptop sleeve make this my new best friend. An ideal work bag or weekend backpack it has space for everything I need.

For walks out when you don’t need a backpack or a full handbag. It’s large enough to stuff all my essential items and outdoorsy enough for a nice walk to the beach. Subtle print and easy colour combinations to match all my

PADDED BACK PANELS, STRAPS AND CARRY HANDLE

TWO SIDE POCKETS FOR BOTTLES

15” COMPACT LAPTOP SLEEVE

The easiest way to explore British Columbia’s natural beauty, small towns and amazing wildlife is by open road. Whether you’re following in the tyres of the Weird Fish team or want to branch out on your own epic adventure, here are some of our favourite routes and top tips to take you off the beaten track.

The Sea-to-Sky Highway, a ribbon of road skirting Howe Sound between Vancouver and Whistler, is one of British Columbia’s great road trips. Along the way are sweeping ocean views, jagged peaks, thick forests, evocative historic sites, and some of the best outdoor adventure options on the planet. The road travels through Squamish and on to Whistler, both West Coast mountain towns where the adventurous can embark on year-round activities from world-class wintersports in winter to rock climbing, wind surfing, rafting and an expansive network of walking, hiking and mountain biking trails the rest of the year.

You’ll also find craft breweries, delicious farm-to-table dining options, and a rich First Nations culture. Wildlife abounds along the route, including one of North America’s highest concentration of wintering bald eagles. And, of course, there’s sparkling Vancouver – worthy of at least three nights of your time to explore the funky neighbourhoods, cycle stunning Stanley Park, savour Michelin star cuisine and rejuvenate in the spectacular surrounding wilderness.

Travel in winter for snowsports fun and to enjoy Vancouver’s foodie festivals and Capilano Suspension bridge lights or capture the beautiful cherry blossom in early spring.

Travel the Trans Canada Highway 1 driving from Vancouver along the Fraser River or through the stunning Rogers Pass between Revelstoke and Golden or, take the winding roads of Highway 3 in southern BC through vineyards and charming mountain towns and experience a swathe of landscapes. The Thompson Okanagan region, with its rivers, lakes, wineries and mountain views, is a wonderful area to experience autumn colours. Arrive by car and then jump on a bike to explore the famous Myra Canyon Trestles on the historic Kettle Valley Rail Trail.

Then slow down, sip local organic wines and dine alfresco at one of the many Okanagan wineries in Kelowna, Kamloops and the desert town of Osooyos. The Okanagan Valley is British Columbia’s premier grape-growing region. The wine — produced by over 180 wineries in the area — came first, followed by a parade of talented chefs, attracted by the region’s agricultural bounty and lush scenery.

Extend the adventure by heading into BC’s Kootenay Rockies region. This land of jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and natural hot springs boasts four National Parks as well as some of Canada’s highest mountains and most dramatic golf courses. Tucked into the valleys are beautiful mountain towns that make great hiking, biking and rafting bases in summer and world-class ski resorts in winter.

September and early October are a wonderful time to visit the Okanagan Valley and Kootenay Rockies, when the trees and vineyards are in their full autumn glory.

Northern British Columbia is a vast landscape of mountains and rivers, ancient forests and fjord-cut coastline. It’s also rich in the history and culture of the Wet’suwet’en, Gitxsan, Tsimshian, Nisga’a, Haida and other First Nations who have called this area home for thousands of years. A week-long journey will immerse you in the ancient art and legends, untouched wilderness, and thriving modern communities. Fly from Vancouver to Terrace, pick up a rental car and then head east to Kitselas Canyon National Historic site, then head north to the Nass Valley and the eerie moonscapes at the Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park, before pushing east on Highway 16 from Terrace, past the spectacular peaks of Seven Sisters Provincial Park, to Kitwanga and finally the rugged alpine town of Smithers. Look out for wildlife as you drive from soaring eagles to caribou. If you have a few more days, consider an excursion to the beautiful coastal town of Prince Rupert.

When to go: visit in summer and early autumn for a quiet less-trodden route

Go full circle on Southern Vancouver Island with the Pacific Marine Circle Route where wild, varied landscapes, fairy lakes, traditional light-houses, drift-wood beaches, quaint towns and whale-watching come as standard. It’s also a thrilling drive with winding roads and pitches that will put your driving skills to the test! we suggest launching from BC’s quaint yet vibrant capital city of Victoria before hitting the road towards Sooke, where the rainforest meets the sea. Try zip-lining or see the geological wonder that is Sooke Potholes.

Then head on to Port Renfrew where wild and beautiful beaches are flanked by old growth forests and giant mythical trees.

June through to October is the ideal time to view Orcas and Humpback whales in the Juan de Fuca Straight.

Visit: hellobc.com for more information on travelling in British Columbia and Trailfinders (Trailfinders.com) to book a holiday.

See page ??? for a chance to win a trip worth £5000 to Canada thanks to Destination British Columbia and Trailfinders.

TOWARDS A TRAILFINDERS MOTORHOME

HOLIDAY TO BRITISH COLUMBIA AND £500 TO SPEND AT WEIRD FISH

Win the opportunity to follow in the footsteps and camper wheels of the Weird FIsh team on an epic road trip holiday to British Columbia in Canada

with

Same same but different, the Moondust is similar to our iconic Starshine dress, but with a different fabric recipe for more stretch, with organic cotton and recycled polyester, plus it comes in five more wonderful print designs, including our walkies print, inspired by three of our own office dogs.

Our firm favourite and continuous best-seller, the Starshine dress in made from 100% organic cotton so it not only feels good, but does good too. Available this season in eight fantastic prints, more than one for every day of the week!

What could be more festive than a Nordic knit pattern in a dress? We love the ease of this pull-on knitted dress, giving you an instant outfit with just one item. Add our Una tights and boots to venture outside in the snow.

We call her Markle because she rhymes with sparkle! Based on the classic shape of the Starshine dress, with 3/4 sleeves, we have added a shimmer detail to this print, so you can party in style and comfort.

Our first and possibly favourite shacket, the Tyburn is lined with a super-soft sherpa fleece lining so it keeps you warm and acts as a wind cheater. This season we have added three new colours to the range.

A new edition to the shacket family, and ultimately the warmest, the Cresskey has a wool blended outer so this really keeps the heat in and the cold out, with a toasty borg fleece lining. The dark olive colour goes with everything, so this can be your go to jacket this season.

Unleash your inner lumberjack with this heavier weight cotton shirt, ideal to wear over a T-Shirt or even a lightweight knit for added warmth.

When a simple, classic check shirt is needed reach for the Lando, it has a slim fit for a smart finish, but you can always make it casual by adding a T-Shirt underneath and rolling up those sleeves.

The classic, manly flannel shirt, made to last with it’s thick texture of 100% organic cotton. With four colours to choose from this season, you will be spoilt for choice.

Inspired by our time in Canada we have selected some traditional, typical Canadian fare to tickle your tastebuds, some savoury, some sweet and some a little bit fishy.

SERVES 3-4 | 1 HOUR FOR THE MARINADE:

1 pinch of cumin

2 tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp green chilli chopped

1 tsp fresh ginger

1 tsp olive oil

juice on 1 lemon

salt to taste

400g of salmon fillets

In a bowl combine the cumin, maple syrup, sugar, chopped green chilli, ginger, salt and pepper together, whisking to combine.

Then, add the olive oil, juice of half the lemon and salmon to the mix and let it marinade for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Pop under a medium/high grill for around 20 minutes, but check after 12, taking care not to overcook. Serve with marinated mixed vegetables.

If you eat fish you can’t visit Canada without eating salmon with maple syrup, so why not combine the two in perfect harmony?!

FOR THE GRAVY:

40g cornstarch

25g water

80g unsalted butter

30g plain flour

500ml beef stock

300ml chicken stock

FOR THE CHIPS:

3-4 maris piper potatoes

olive oil

300g cheese curds

(mozzarella would be the closest substitution)

Cut the potatoes into 1/2-inch thick sticks. Place into a large bowl and cover completely with cold water. Allow to stand for at least one hour.

Meanwhile, dissolve the cornstarch in the water in a small bowl and put to one side. In a large saucepan, melt the butter Add the flour to the melted butter and cook, stirring regularly, for about 5 minutes, until the mixture turns golden brown. Add the beef and chicken stock and bring to a boil, stirring with a whisk. Stir in about half the cornstarch mixture and simmer for a minute. Add more cornstarch mixture if you want a thicker consistency. Add salt and pepper if needed.

Once the potatoes have stood for an hour, heat your oil in your deep fryer or large, wide, heavy pot to 130c. Remove the potatoes from the water and place onto a sheet of paper towel. Blot to remove as much excess moisture as possible. Add your fries to the oil and cook for 5-8 minutes, just until the potatoes are starting to cook but are not yet browned. Remove potatoes from oil and scatter on a wire rack. Increase oil temperature to 150c. Once the oil is heated to that temperature, return the potatoes to the fryer and cook until golden brown. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined bowl to absorb excess oil.

Add your chips to a bowl and season lightly with salt while still warm. Add a ladle of hot poutine gravy to the bowl and using tongs, toss the fries in the gravy. Add more gravy as needed to mostly coat the fries, add the cheese curds and toss with the hot chips and gravy. Serve with freshly ground pepper. Serve immediately.

Pulled Pork | Bacon | Avocado | Sweet Potato Fries | Mushroom Gravy

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 ½ tbsp BBQ sauce

1 tbsp pickle brine

1 tsp soy sauce

½ tsp tabasco

½ tsp horseradish

¼ tsp onion powder

½ tsp steak spice rub

2 handfulls of ice

120ml vodka

1 ltr clamato juice

CAESER RIM

SEASONING:

sea salt

garlic

celery seed

smoked paprika

dry mustard

ginger

black pepper

white pepper

SERVES 4 | 15 MINUTES

Combine all the ingredients and mix well.

Wet the rim of 4 glasses with water or lemon juice and dip the glass rim into a plate with Caesar rim seasoning.

Fill all glasses half way with ice. Divide the Caesar mix equally among the 4 glasses. Add 30ml of vodka in each glass and a 250ml of the Clamato juice. Mix well using a long spoon.

Garnish with you choice of toppings and enjoy!

Make your own steak spice rub: salt, black pepper, chilli flakes, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika.

Try replacing the vodka with tequila or gin, or remove alcohol completely for a virgin Caesar.

Clamato juice is tomato juice that is seasoned with spices and clam broth. If you can’t find it, you can use this Caesar mix for a Bloody Mary and just use tomato juice.

If you don’t like your Caesars spicy at all, you can leave out the tabasco.

Use more or less of the Caesar mix depending on how dirty you like it.

MAKES 24 | 40 MINUTES

FOR THE BISCUIT:

230g unsalted butter

60g icing sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

250g plain flour

FOR THE ICING:

125g icing sugar

60ml pure maple syrup

Preheat the oven to 180c. Line two baking trays with baking paper.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and cinnamon until pale and fluffy. Add in the flour and continue to mix until just combined. If the dough seems too soft to roll, chill in the fridge for 20 minutes to firm up.

Cut out the biscuits using biscuit cutters, re-rolling the scraps as necessary. Place around 12 cookies on each baking sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Let them completely cool before glazing.

To make the glaze; stir together the icing sugar and maple syrup until smooth. Add more icing sugar or maple syrup if needed to reach desired consistency. You want the glaze to be thick but spreadable. Add a couple of drops of food colouring if you like. Place the glaze in a piping bag. Cut a tiny opening in the tip or corner of the bag. Pipe an outline around the biscuit. Then roughly fill it in with glaze. Use a toothpick to smooth out the glaze and fill in any gaps. Let stand until dry.

To welcome the turning of the season, we’ve selected 5 of the finest ales for the Autumn. These ales are the perfect partner for the Rugby World Cup, a post coast walk or just settling by the fire with the Sunday papers. We hope you enjoy them!

Celebrating its 18th birthday, it’s clear to see why this delicious brew has withstood the test of time! This is the flagship beer of the fantastic Peak District based Thornbridge Brewery. The multi award wining IPA has a fantastic balance of grapefruit, lemon and tropical fruit, with an enticing bitterness and sweetness to keep it all in harmony.

To get you started, Thornbridge are offering 15% off with the code WEIRDFISH15 at https://thornbridgebrewery.co.uk/

This brazen Cornish bitter out of the Skinners stable is the perfect drop as the temperatures drop and the night close in. This easy drinking copper ale has a lovely balance of citrus hops, malt and bitterness. Having won more awards than any other Cornish beer, Betty is the undisputed queen of Cornish beers.

https://skinnersbrewery.com

Another brewery celebrating a milestone, Yorkshire based Ossett Brewery turns 25 this year. Their White Rat beer is a very pale and morish ale. A combination of Cascade, Columbus and Amarillo hops produce a hoppy and aromatic finish. A perfect thirst quencher after an autumn adventure.

https://www.ossett-brewery.co.uk/

Not to trump the other anniversary, but this year Batemans is celebrating 150 years of brewing their fine beers! Another multi award winner, their XXXB brew is classed as an English Tawny beer, with its four hops and three malts creating a delicious spicy fruity and biscuity flavour, one to be enjoyed by the fire.

https://www.bateman.co.uk/

A beer to reflect the autumn glow, Salopian’s Oracle is a beautifully balanced beer. A crisp, sparking sunflower gold ale, with a lovely hoppy profile, and dry and refreshing citrus finish. Look out for this Shropshire brewery’s other tipples such as Hop Twister and Shropshire gold, all delicious.

https://www.salopianbrewery.co.uk/

This Autumn we took some of the Weird Fish HQ shoal to the RSPB Sandwell Valley Nature Reserve in the West Midlands to do a bit of team bonding and some volunteering.

Sandwell Valley is a mixture of wet grasslands, wildflower meadows, woodland, and a picturesque lake. The lake is managed for the benefit of wintering birds such as goosanders, shovelers and wigeons and breeding birds like lapwings and little ringed plovers. The site is managed by clearing vegetation from the islands and building rafts for nesting and roosting. Our team got stuck into racking the long dead grass that covers the hillside running down to the lake, and clearing the weeds away. This keeps the land open for breeding lapwings and wintering waders and water birds. It also ideal for hunting kestrels, feeding finches and blooming wildflowers in the summer.

We were looked after for the day by volunteer Ross, who was a fountain of knowledge about the reserve and gave us a tour of the site. It is a great place to take little visitors for a day out with walks along the bug-friendly paths, wildlife challenges, activities and natural play features. And wildlife watchers can head to the hide which is right on the water, to get the best view of the birds. Why not borrow a bug hunting or pond dipping kits which can be borrowed at different times of the year too.

The whole day we were there, the team were testing out our latest Autumn/Winter range of T-Shirts, fleeces and jumpers, and they certainly stood up to the task.

We had a great day out, and it was really nice to be able to do a bit more to give back to this charity we have worked with since 2015. You can buy out latest collaboration T-Shirts; Doctor Hoot or Stranger Wings now, and £5 from each sale goes directly to the charity.

‘By purchasing one of the special edition RSPB Weird Fish T-Shirt designs and unlocking a £5 donation to the RSPB, Weird Fish customers have helped to raise more than £260,000 since the partnership started in 2015. This is such a fantastic achievement and shows how taking a simple action can make a big difference, ultimately helping wildlife, wild places and people to thrive. Nature is in crisis but by working together we can save it..’

– Katy Terry, RPSB

Stranger Wings T-Shirt available to buy now, with £5 from each sale going to help giving nature a home.

Help nature the easy way

Your outdoor space could be a lifeline for struggling wildlife

Start today

Your outdoor space could be a lifeline

for struggling wildlife

Nature needs us

Sadly, nature in the UK is in trouble. One in seven species are at risk of extinction with even animals such as hedgehogs and house sparrows struggling. Yet, one of the easiest ways to help wildlife is right on our doorstep.

But there’s lots we can do

Your outdoor space, balcony or backyard can help give wildlife the food and shelter it needs. Taken together, UK gardens are almost three times bigger than all of the RSPB’s 200-plus nature reserves combined. That’s a lot of space that could make a massive difference for nature!

And it’s so easy to help

Helping wildlife needn’t be hard. There are lots of straightforward, lowcost ways you can help nature in your outdoor space, and we have all the information you need.

Get started with Nature on Your Doorstep

From wildlife-friendly flowers to putting out food for birds, it all adds up. For lots of great ideas and simple tips to help nature where you live, go to: rspb.org.uk/natureonyourdoorstep or go to our Nature on Your Doorstep Facebook group.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England & Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654

344-0091-22-23

As much as we enjoy being outside, this time of year also makes us want to hibernate a little, and so something comfy to lounge or sleep in is essential. Whether you are wild camping in the great outdoors or curling up on your own sofa with a good book, we have a range of comforting pieces to make the experience memorable.

Can fish feel the cold? Well these tiddlers won’t get chilly in their cosy winter knits on the design of this soft cotton T-Shirt, perfect to team with some PJ bottoms

Perfect

to team with our Wrap

Up T-Shirt, these comfortable elasticated waist lounge pants are anything but fishy

Prefer shorts over long PJs? Then the Winnie loungewear set could be for you. Featuring a Nordic inspired design with polar bears, for that festive feeling.

Bold and bright, this long sleeve loungewear set is warm but lightweight, so it feels great to sleep in, the top could even be worn on its own as a jumper.

Things don’t get much cosier than this! A great alternative to a dressing gown, once you put this oversized jumper on you won’t want to take it off. Plus it’s unisex so the whole family may try and pinch it!

These cosy fleece lined slipper boots have a hard sole so they are hardwearing, and they feature Faux fur pom poms, need we say more?!

Made extra warm thanks to their soft borg lining, these traditional slippers would also make a great gift.

Doing Our Bit For Charity And For The Enviroment With Newlife!

We’re saving our customers pre-loved Weird Fish clothes and end of line stock from landfill, by donating to Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children. We work with Newlife to be environmentally sustainable, ensuring we’re playing our part to save the planet and helping a great cause whilst doing so.

Newlife Fashion Stores sell our brand-new items and unrequired goods offering them a ‘second life’ as opposed to ending up at landfill. Any items that cannot be reused in original their form are sent for recycling, where the fibers are be repurposed to make different products.

Not only is shopping at Newlife good for your pocket and the environment, but every pound customers spend goes to help disabled and terminally ill children across the UK.

Newlife provides specialist equipment to children and their families in need of support. Our unwanted stock will raise vital funds to change the lives of disabled children, from specialist equipment and toys, to emotional and practical support through the Nurse led helpline. We believe in protecting the environment and with help from Newlife, our customers can still find our end-of-season products even when they’re no longer sold directly from us.