As someone who has worn practically anything that I can think of, one the garments that I have worn less compared to others is tweed. And as a modern woman, I guess that it is just fair to say that this time, to forget everything I thought I knew about tweed is necessary in order to reimagine modern ways to wear it.
What Is Tweed, Anyway?
As a clothing material, tweed is considered as one of the sturdiest and most durable materials around. Tweed – at least its most familiar form – came out in 18th century Scotland out of a need for a material that would make good garments. Garments that are hard-wearing, well-insulated tailoring and cold resistant. Woven sturdily from coarse virgin wool in brown, earthy and dusky colors, this original performance fabric provided farmers and sheperds with a means of staving off damp, chilly conditions.
As fabrics go, tweed can take more rough and tumble than most – its twill construction boasting resistance to both wind and water – and was to the 18th century farmer a bit like what Lycra is to the modern-day cyclist.
TYPES OF TWEED PATTERNS
Woven into a slightly lightweight twill design which can range from a lightly mottled weave to distinct stripes, the common tweed is by far the easiest design to wear. Next to it is the widely-popularf herringbone tweed, which boasts a distinctive V-shaped pattern. The herringbone tweed is known for its rich visual texture and loved for its versatility, to be honest this is also one of my favorites
And finally, at the more attention-grabbing and luxurious end of the scale, houndstooth tweed (characterised by a bold broken check design) and overcheck tweed (large windowpane checks) offer more statement-making takes on this time-honoured cloth.
Why Wear It Now?
Over the years tweed’s nicely-cratfted appearance has lent itself to the wardrobes of most women, making it one of the most important fabrics today. I wear tweed not only because it is very fashionable, but also because it is a warm and comfortable clothing for me. Here is an example of a pearl-buttoned tweed jacket for women that is great for casual or evening walks.