The Fab 40s and the Need for Tweed
The Fab 40’s have gone from Space Inspired outfits last month to the need for tweed this month. Inspired by The Crown on Netflix which has been feeding her adoration for all things British royalty, Suzy has chosen tweed as a bit of homage to the royals for this month’s Fab 40’s theme.
If you been visiting here for a while, you probably already know how much of a nerd I am when it comes to exploring the history of certain fashion trends as well as the origins of specific prints, patterns, and textiles. Since tweed is not a textile that I wear very often, nor do I own very much of it, I figured this post would be a great opportunity for me to explore the fascinating history of this mainstay in traditional and classic tailoring for both men and women.
Not only has tweed been a classic mainstay in fashion for hundreds of years, it also played an important role in the redefining of class and gender as reflected in personal style since the early 19th century.
But first, what exactly is tweed? Tweed is a rough, woolen fabric that consists of a soft flexible texture that resembles homespun fabrics except the threads are more closely woven in tweeds. Different weaving techniques may be employed but usually a plain weave is used to create tweed in either a twill or herringbone structure. Different color effects can be incorporated into the yarn by mixing dyed wool before the spinning process.
The yarns used in tweed are durable and moisture resistant generally used to craft informal outerwear meant to withstand the harsh climates of Scotland and Ireland, where this interesting textile originated. However, the word tweed came about nearly by accident when a London merchant in the 1830’s received a letter from a Scottish textile company about some tweels (the Scottish word for twill). From a misunderstanding of the penmanship, the London merchant misread the “l” as a “d” and assumed that it was a brand name based on the River Tweed which flowed through the Scottish Borders textile area. And so the name tweed stuck with this hearty fabric.
Because tweed is a woven fabric, it comes in a variety of different patterns such as herringbone, checked, speckled, and houndstooth. In the 1830’s, Scotsmen Sir Walter Scott and the Lord Chancellor of Great Britain, Lord Brougham, showed their favor of this fabric by donning bold tweed trousers, thereby launching tweed as a fashion trend for the aristocracy and other people of wealth. Tweed became the fabric of choice for shooting jackets and other outdoor sporting attire because of its durability and warmth to withstand the harsh climates where it originated.
In the 1860’s, shooting jackets were refashioned into the lounge jacket and very soon after that the modern business suit was born. It wasn’t until the late 19th century when women hijacked this mostly masculine textile in an effort to challenge gender roles in society as well as in fashion. In the 1890’s, tweed became a symbol of female rebellion but by the first few decades of the 20th century, it returned to its conservative beginnings and was reserved mostly for royalty and gentility as well as women’s haute couture.
Enter Coco Chanel who made tweed wildly popular in women’s fashion in the 1920’s. Nearly 100 years later, tweed is still associated as a classic characteristic of Ms. Chanel’s designs. During the second world war, tweed was used in the manufacture of apparel because it was durable and practical as women began assuming more masculine roles in the workplace.
In the 1960’s, tweed was being used for more radical fashion designs such as mini skirts and swing coats as women continued to challenge gender roles both sartorially and politically. In the late 1980’s, Vivienne Westwood took tweed to new levels with her punk inspired “Harris Tweed Collection”. Shortly after Ms. Westwood brought tweed into radical fashion, it quickly died out and became a fabric that was only associated with academics and conservatives with old-fashioned values.
Twenty-first century fashion designers have declared tweed as chic once again and you can find everything from suiting and coats to shoes and handbags in this timelessly classic fabric. It is no longer reserved for the wealthy and can be seen on any gender of any age as a fashionable choice to incorporate into our wardrobes.
There are 8 basic types of tweed used in textiles today.
- Harris Tweed: a legally protected type of tweed made from pure virgin wool that is dyed and hand spun in the Outer Hebrides off the northern coast of Scotland.
- Donegal Tweed: originated in the Irish county of Donegal and is distinguished by its rainbow colored specks and knobby texture.
- Saxony Tweed: a soft and smooth tweed made from merino wool in Saxony, Germany.
- Herringbone Tweed: consists of a broken twill weave creating a pattern of V’s that resemble fish bones.
- Shetland Tweed: a lighter weight, casual tweed made from the wool of the sheep native to the Shetland Islands of Scotland.
- Barleycorn Tweed: a slightly bumpy textile with a dynamic pattern that resembles barleycorn kernels.
- Cheviot Tweed: a heavier and rougher tweed made from the wool of the sheep native to the Scottish Cheviot Hills.
- Overcheck Twill: a plain twill fabric that consists of a large checkered design in contrasting colors which creates the tweed pattern.
Here are the three sources where I have found all of this tweedy information…
- The story of … tweed
- What Is Tweed? A Complete Guide to the History of Tweed, Plus 8 Different Types of Tweed
- Wikipedia: Tweed
And now onto my tweedy outfit. I found this black and white tweed blazer on a thrifting adventure a few years ago. I don’t wear it often mostly because I don’t wear blazers all that frequently. But I do love the Chanel vibe of a cute tweed blazer. I paired it with a sort-of tweed dress that has been hanging around my closet for at least 5 years, quite possibly never before worn, so it was high time to wear it. I topped it off with my favorite herringbone overcoat that I have had for at least 20 years. The coat is from Talbots and I believe I bought it when I worked at that store in my early 20’s. There is something to be said for a quality overcoat in a classic tweed pattern. It has literally never gone out of style in all the years I have owned it. And I wear it every winter season. To keep my tweed outfit on the modern side of style, I added a black velvet obi belt and pink velvet lace up booties with pink leather gloves and my pink beret.
This outfit is a bit more conservative than I am accustomed to wearing, but I love the feminine feel of the blush pinks paired with blacks and grays. And the lacy trim on my dress is such a fun little detail. Normally, I would pair a classic tweed blazer with something completely unexpected like ripped denim shorts or shredded jeans, but embracing the more classically feminine side of things might be just as unexpected for me!
Now let’s check out my fabulous friends and their need for tweed.
The Fab 40’s is a group of five fashion bloggers from around the globe. Each month we choose a different theme with the goal of taking on style trends and showing how we each interpret and incorporate them into our own lives. With five widely varied views, you are certain to find something that speaks to you each month and encourages you to continue to have fun with fashion after the age of 40.
Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood
Ada is a vision of holiday style in her black and white tweed pencil skirt paired with a burgundy and white Buffalo plaid top. I love the mix of prints and textures that she has incorporated into this super modern take on classic tweed.
Outfit Details: Tweed mini skirt-Loft / Bordeaux Buffalo plaid button down-Old Navy (current) / Diamond Patterned Black Tights-Target / Black Pointy Ballet Flats-Steve Madden / Magenta metallic knotted headband-Francesca’s / Silver Bracelets & Watch-Brighton Collectibles (current) / Mini circle champagne studs-Loft
Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks
Daenel has completely captured my heart with her elegantly cool plaid tweed trousers and super slouchy sweater. She is literally dressed exactly as I always pictured myself dressing in my 40’s and beyond. Now I need to find similar pieces so I can recreate this fabulous look!
Suzy of Suzy Turner Books & Style
Suzy has taken tweed to all new levels with this gorgeous combination of classic brown tweed and stunning purple. Pairing this traditionally conservative fabric with her super modern and utterly cool purple sparkly Doc Martens creates the perfect contrast between fashion trends and eras.
Outfit Details:Tweed Jacket-Tu at Sainsbury’s / Khaki Trousers & jumper- Massimo Dutti / Sparkly boots-Doc Martens / Jewelry-Gifts from mother-in-law / Pink scarf-old
Sheela of Sheela Writes
Unfortunately, Sheela was unable to join us this month.
And me!
Outfit Details: Coat-Talbots / Blazer-Thrifted / Dress-Old (Kohl’s, I think) / Jewelry-Old / Belt and Gloves-Torrid / Tights-Target / Shoes-Shoe Dazzle / Beret-c/o Banggood
Do you wear tweed? Which is your favorite tweed outfit?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
26 Comments
Nancy
Now I really know everything there is to know about tweed! I love tweed and am looking for a good tweed blazer for ages. I want a real English country life one. Your outfit is fabulous.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! I didn’t know much about tweed either so this was fun to research and write! And an English country life tweed blazer sounds so, so good! I had one that I had found thrifting years ago but it was a size too small and I never could get comfortable in it so I got rid of it, but now I wish I had it again since I lost some weight, it would probably fit me now! But thrift shops are my favorite place to hunt for things like blazers and coats. I hope you find your perfect one soon! Maybe we need to add tweed to our Good Buy/Good-Bye Book themes!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
This is a fun one!!! Love that dress and ooo those shoes!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar! I enjoyed the tweed theme very much!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
Very informative! Love your coat and the tweed jacket!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jennifer! This was a fun little research project for me!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mireille
I love how your outfit came together. The blush pink is really pretty with the tweed and you are sharing another really fun pair of boots and tights! I love the added obi belt too. Thanks for the research on tweed, it is always good to learn more.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Mireille! I have been enjoying researching little things like this. It is fun and keeps me interested in life which has become so mundane this year with never leaving the house! I might as well learn and share stuff!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rach
Fun! But just fyi, the Cheviots are hills not islands 😊 (from a Scot who spent many childhood journeys going up and down those hills on the way to visit grandparents).
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Rach, thank you so very much! And I appreciate your correction! The source I used said Hills and I somehow translated to Islands when typing. I have updated my post so that it is accurate! These hills look like they may possibly be one of the most beautiful places on earth…are they?
xoxo
Shelbee
Rach
It’s a beautiful part of the country – softer than the scenery further north. My main memory is of hitting the roof of the car as my dad would fly over the summits, and the lurch in my tummy as we descended. That’s a 70s childhood for you – no seat belts in the back seat!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my gosh, Rach, what a beautiful memory! Your description reminded me of my father driving fast over hills to give us the feeling that we called “tickle belly”! When I was a teenager, my father would wake me late in the night if it was snowing and we would go the school parking lot and he would spin the car through the snow and we would laugh so hard! Ahhh, how I miss the innocence of childhood! Wishing you all the best in the new year, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Daenel T
The history lesson!!
That dress is super cute. And paired with those booties makes it so edgy. Love it.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Daenel! I just finished drafting another textile history lesson for tomorrow! This was such a cool style prompt from Suzy. I am loving everyone’s tweed styles.
xoxo
Shelbee
Barbara
What a cute, romantic winter look! I love Suzy’s take on tweed too
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Barbara! This was a really fun style prompt!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica
Such lovely tweed pieces! I really like the blush and grey combo and all these layers makes your outfit look so cosy for the cold 🙂 All my tweed pieces are blazers really haha, they used to get worn to the office a lot but have been sitting unloved in my wardrobe. I need to make more of an effort with them and try to work them into stay at home mum life and the school run haha.
Hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and you are enjoying this relaxing time between Christmas and new year 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Mica, thank you so much! I love blush pink and gray together as well! Tweed blazers are the best and I think you can totally work them into stay at home mum life! While I don’t wear blazers all that often at home, I still enjoy styling them for photo shoots or if I do have somewhere to go. They are great wardrobe staples to have around for certain occasions, too. A tweed blazer with a turtleneck and jeans is always such a cute style! I have been enjoying my down time these past two weeks. I hope you have as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
Interesting history! My husband is a big fan of tweed – although we rarely need it here. But he has a tweed motorcycle jacket. It looks like a regular coat, but is internally equipped with elbow and shoulder protection. Very cool! From your descriptions, I think he favors the Donegal tweeds, although the motorcycle jacket isn’t. I really like the dusty pink accessories you chose to wear with your tweed. It really dressed us those solemn grays!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! This was super fun to research and learn about tweed. A tweed motorcycle jacket sounds wicked cool! I can picture your husband wearing it and cruising through the Scottish landscape on his bike. Wouldn’t that be an amazing experience!? I love pink and gray together and I hadn’t worn these pink velvet booties in a really long time, so it was the perfect occasion to add all the pink things!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking so very sweet. Tweed seems to be more of an East Coast deal and not so much on the West Coast. Maybe I am wrong but that is my view.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Patrick! That makes sense that tweed would be more popular on the east coast since it is a fabric geared toward colder climates. I always associated tweed with New England and the Ivy League schools on the east coast for some reason. Maybe tweed is popular in the northwest where it is colder. Now I might have to go find that type of regional information because you have made me curious!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sheila (of Ephemera)
I’m a big fan of tweed and this is a fabulous outfit, Shelbee! I love the uber-sweetness of the baby pink, contrasted with the sexy dress and tights, which also contrasts with the tweed fabric and its connotations of being high society.
I find oodles of tweed in the thrift and consignment shops here – one of the sections of the city (Oak Bay) is known as being “behind the Tweed Curtain” as that’s where all the British ex-pats have lived for generations. I love learning about the history of fabrics and clothes – thank you for this!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Sheila! You know I love a good contrast of sartorial elements like high society vs a bit of sassiness. I am so intrigued by the history of Oak Bay now and I am loving that nickname for it! I want to visit behind the Tweed Curtain now! I am so glad that you enjoyed reading my little bit of fabric and fashion research! It was fun to discover and share.
xoxo
Shelbee
Lorena
I have always loved tweed even thought its not very useful where i live as its already warm enough here 🙂
But tweed has always been in my closet for work and travel wear.
I had no idea there were different kinds of tweeds 🙂 Thanks for the info.
HNY Michelle!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Lorena! There really is something so classically cool about tweed. I have always been drawn to it myself except it is a bit fancier than I usually dress in real life!
xoxo
Shelbee