The famously private and gruff author of the definitive guides to the Lake District fells is the driving force behind a new dress code on British streets, Debenhams said.

The "Wainwright chic" effect had seen niche, all-weather clothing styles "making the leap from crag edge to the catwalk", the fashion department store said.

Demand for hiking-style jackets, rucksacks and boots had soared over the last two years, following a series of television and radio programmes about his life.

Paul Baldwin, director of menswear buying at Debenhams, said: "We're calling it Wainwright chic. Men and women have fallen in love with the rugged outdoor image the hill climbing clothing style portrays, and want to wear it every day.

"At one time, these specialist clothes would have been bought only by long-distance hill walkers and mountaineers.

"Now, however, you're more likely to see them worn on the streets of Kensington and Chelsea than Scafell or Grisedale Pike."

Pictures suggest Wainwright had little interest in fashion, walking in a belted coat worn over a woollen jumper, trousers with braces, woollen socks and functional boots, topped with a flat cap.

Wainwright was awarded an MBE for his hand-written and hand-drawn Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells.

He compiled the guides between 1952 and 1966 and they remain the standard reference to the area.