English nobles originally were quite taken with how tweed blended in perfectly with the surrounding countryside. Even today, tweed is beloved for its natural allure. Hand wash in cool, clean water at 30 degrees max. We recommend using liquid soap or a premium 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. In particular, we love to use a cashmere shampoo. Never use powder detergent.

Australia is the world’s largest producer of wool. Sheep took very well to this southern continent and its neighbor, the much geographically-smaller New Zealand. While the sheep-to-kiwi ratio is even higher than the sheep-to-Aussie ratio, Oz wins in terms of sheer land mass, which makes it the world’s biggest sheep paradise by far.Estate tweeds are defined by their weight. The materials need to be heavyweight and provide protection from the elements. Estate owners will commonly create a design exclusive to them, resulting in many patterns using earthy tones to reflect the natural hues found in the Scottish landscape. Herringbone has an iconic triangular pattern with varying tones. This pattern is more common in tweed than it is in any other fabric.

A traditional twill style makes up the base of this tweed. Marled yarns are woven together in a way that creates a chevron-like pattern that makes up the base of the cloth. Though this is not always the case, it is true for a large number of designs. How is tweed made? Tweed’s rich history partly comes from its process of production. Traditionally, tweed fibres were hand-dyed using natural dyes before being hand-woven on a loom. Today, the tweed manufacturing process has been mechanised to speed up production and meet increased demand. Natural fibers are expensive to produce, which historically led to the prevalence of synthetic fabric worldwide. Unlike petrochemical-based fibers, however, natural fabrics are usually quite heat-resistant. Since it’s mainly made from cellulose, cotton is reasonably flammable, but the natural animal hairs that constitute wool yarn are surprisingly fire-resistant.Yes, sheep emit flatulence, and yes, that flatulence contains methane. Just how sheep farts are responsible for climate change is still up for debate, but regardless, it’s possible that both sheep flatulence and excrement might do environmental damage. Indulge in the allure of classic country fashion, meticulously curated to satisfy even the most discerning tastes. Our selection boasts a harmonious blend of sophistication and rugged charm, ensuring that you exude an air of effortless style wherever your adventures take you. Thanks to the versatile nature of this fabric, it’ll never look out of place, regardless of whether you’re strolling in the fields or dining at a smart restaurant on formal occasions. Wear a tweed blazer with chinos or jeans for a smart-casual style or consider combining it with a matching tweed shooting waistcoat for full country styling. Summer or winter, these blazers are an excellent choice. Despite being durable, wool is highly biodegradable. If you leave a wool garment and a polyester garment out in the rain, wind, and snow for a hundred years, the wool will have disappeared and the polyester will remain. We've chosen five modern looks to help you wear tweed during the day, into the night and even out in the field.

Though we do recommend dry cleaning to maintain the shape and look of tweed, please follow the knitwear care instructions below if you prefer to perform home care on your tweed garments. Tweed is a type of wool weave that is designed for weather resistance. Since they’re made from natural wool, each tweed product looks slightly different, which has always added to the allure. By choosing certain sheep breeds instead of others, you can somewhat control the pattern that will emerge in your tweed garment. From there, bunch-dyeing sets the iconic tweed patterns we all know and love.

How is tweed fabric used?

Walker Slater has grown gently from its roots in the Highlands, where it was established with a mission to provide remote communities with durable and versatile clothing to combat the harsh elements. From there the brand moved south, opening shops in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London and began to offer ready to wear tailoring in a range of contemporary and elegant styles, each carefully designed by our in-house design team. With colour palettes inspired by the rugged charm of the Scottish landscape, from its age-old towns and cities to earthy landscapes, we offer garments for any occasion and for any style.

Today, tweed is an iconic British fabric that plays a leading role in the closets of many. It has been propelled to the forefront of the fashion industry thanks to its enduring quality and unique patterns. While the speed at which tweed is made has changed, the method itself has largely remained untouched. Here we have put together a guide to help explain the variety of weaves this traditional cloth comes in. Tweed garments are usually made up of natural wool fibres from merino sheep. Merino sheep produce a coat of wool once a year which is often harvested by hand. Have a read of our guide to Merino wool to learn more about where it comes from. Tweed blazers are durable, versatile, and timeless. They provide warmth and protection from the elements, and are suitable for a variety of occasions, from formal events to casual outings.

How to wear tweed Due to the extensive range of different designs, colour combinations and the sheer range of garments made from tweed, it can be easily dressed up or down and looks great when paired with all other natural fabrics. Subsequently, it became the fashion among estate owners to commission their own special estate tweeds which would be used to make the staff uniforms for those who worked on their properties. This association caused the fabric to rise in popularity among wealthier members of society, particularly the nobility. Modern tweed more closely represents the English nobility’s interpretation than it does the original rugged Scottish fabric. Regardless, tweed’s ability to resist the environment has won it an enduring place in the international fashion world, and tweed garments are still made and sold in reasonably large quantities today. Later in the century, advances in the production of tweed meant that it became more affordable and attainable for those who weren’t nobility or farmers. Its durable and water-resistant properties meant that it was used to make hunting and fishing attire, and the natural hues of the fibres were beneficial for providing camouflage in countryside areas.