Country Tweeds- the intro

Think Tweed and you think of the English country gent, although it was the Scottish and Irish who first wove this coarse twill wool cloth in the 18^th Century.

But it was the English Gentry who took this fabric to their hearts and by the 1840s had made the wearing of tweed for country sports popular.

Harris Tweed certification mark from DS Dundee

This fashion trend was all down to the astute Lady Dunmore who saw the potential of this hard-wearing and water-resistant fabric as great outerwear for hunting, fishing and shooting. And as she had acquired her late husband’s estate on the Isle of Harris, she was eager to promote the now famous Harris Tweed to her peers.
Today Harris Tweed is the only fabric still woven by hand and is made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides. To regulate and protect the fabric against imitations, the Harris Tweed Orb certification mark was created in 1909 and is the oldest British mark of its kind. So when buying Harris Tweed, check it has the certification mark.

www.edeandravenscoft.co.uk

Tweed has come a long way from just being worn for country sports; it is now universally acceptable as smart casual attire in both the country and the city. Ede & Ravenscroft’s country tweed jacket (£350) and waistcoat (£150) is looking good for city life.
And the name Tweed? – Well the story goes that it was a London merchant who started calling the fabric ‘tweed’ around 1830 after he misread the word ‘tweel’ (Scottish spelling for twill) or ‘tweeled’ in a letter from a Scottish cloth manufacturer and assumed the fabric was named after the nearby river Tweed. The cloth then was advertised as Tweed and the name stuck.

Full article found on mens fashion www.eclipsemagazine.co.uk

Harris Tweed on Amazon:

Black Tie Event - The Overcoat

You still need to look the part when you arrive and leave, so no parkas, trench coats, anoraks or other casual coats.
The chesterfield is the traditional formal overcoat, but other dressy long overcoats in a dark colour are acceptable. The formal scarf is white silk with tassels.

Oliver Sweeney Enfield cashmere coat

Oliver Sweeney has a simple but high quality navy pure cashmere chesterfield coat (no velvet collar) named the Enfield after the vintage motorcycle. Price at time of print £795.00. More details on their website: www.oliversweeney.co.uk

Udeshi Astrakan coat

Udeshi has a more flamboyant overcoat again in the chesterfield style. The Astrakan coat was inspired by a coat worn by a prominent 1960s “gentleman” gangster, and the collar and lapels are covered in astrakan (Persian lamb) imitation. The coat is cut with a fly front and unusually double vents – which allows more comfort and easier access to the back trouser pocket. Price at time of print £1475. Check out there website for more details www.udeshi.com

Ede & Ravenscroft scarf and overcoat plus tuxedo

For the above scarf and overcoat check our www.edeandravenscroft.co.uk

Remember, Black tie events are where you guys can look suave and sophisticated in monochrome – leave the glitz and colour to us ladies – dressed in the right attire you don’t need it.

For overcoats and scarves on Amazon: