Tweed is a rough-textured, close-woven wool fabric, usually with a tight twill weave of vertical and horizontal fibres. Tweed comes in many different designs and colours and can be extremely versatile.
Although not fully waterproof, the naturally rough finish of tweed makes it a great option for outdoor wear. Lighter tweeds also work well as suit jackets, being both smart and practical.
Traditionally, as with tartan, tweed was unique to families and groups. However, they are now universally popular and coordinate with multiple patterns and fabrics.
Patterns and Styles
Men’s tweed jackets come in a range of styles, colours, patterns and textures for both indoor and outdoor wear. Tweed can be casual or very formal.
Some of the most popular tweed patterns include:
- Herringbone – Creating a zig-zag pattern, the herringbone is a series of two lines which join in a V-shape.
- Houndstooth – A repeating pattern square design.
- Gamekeepers – Very fine check, repeated throughout the fabric.
- Barleycorn – Uniformly repeated flecked or pebbled pattern which from a distance can appear as a solid colour.
- Striped – Barleycorn, plain or herringbone with the addition of stripes in various widths.
- Plain – Fine patterns, subtle enough to appear solid in colour from a distance.
Prince of Wales check, Highland tweed and Harris tweed are also very popular checks for men’s tweed jackets.
Fitting Tips
Many men’s tweed jackets, including both outdoor and indoor styles, come complete with leather elbow patches and trim. While this gives the jacket a very traditional feel, these particular features are currently also considered very stylish. Tweed suit jackets are typically single breasted, while country-casual designs may be double-breasted.
When choosing a tweed jacket, the wearer should take care to ensure the garment is not too tight or restrictive. Ideally, it should not bunch or pull across the shoulders or chest, sitting flat when the arms are raised or moved forward.
The jacket arms should reach the wrist with arms extended. To prevent the jacket from looking too small or too large, the wearer should make sure the sleeves neither sit back from or fall below the wrist.
Feel free to contact us for more information or view our range of men’s tweed jackets here.
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