But has there always been a need for tweed country-clothing?

Many of us like to leave the comfort of our home, put on our essentials and head for those hills!

Tweed Country Clothing

Hoggs of Fife Edinburgh Tweed Waistcoat

Well, actually it could be mountains, grassland, the local park, a simple country walk or perhaps enjoying an outdoor sport of some kind. But, whatever we are doing, a lot of us will wear some type of country-related clothing which, in terms of comfort and safety, can indeed be essential!

Tweed Country Clothing

Country clothing and outdoor-wear should ideally keep us dry, warm, (or sometimes cool), comfortable and, in some cases, safe! One popular type of country clothing, often associated with both tradition and quality, is referred to as tweed. Tweed is a hand-made cloth boasting a distinctive pattern, and is available in various colours and styles – but where does it come from? And, has there always been a need for tweed country clothing?

Research shows that tweed was first woven from sheep’s wool in the 18th century. It appears that it began life in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland and in County Donegal in Ireland. In fact, during the 1840’s, tweed country clothing was at the height of its popularity amongst the aristocracy, with Norfolk Jackets and Plus-Fours in particular being reported as the “must haves” of that period. Comfort, safety and durability were probably key elements of owning tweed at that time but perhaps “class wars” and being seen to wear the ‘right togs’ also featured highly!

Harris Tweed Country Hat

Harris Tweed 8 Panel Hat

Long gone are the days when, (as in the 1500’s), any male spotted in England on a Sunday, not wearing a cap would be fined 3 Farthings. Tweed caps however remain popular today in the whole of the UK and beyond and, while there is no legal requirement to wear one on a Sunday – or any other day of the week for that matter – they do offer a stylish and comfortable solution to getting the old ‘noggin’ wet or protecting it from the sun’s rays! Consider for example, that some of these caps, and many other tweed products, are hand-woven on the Isle of Harris-Lewis in Scotland (Harris Tweed) and, similarly, local wool in County Donegal in Ireland (Donegal Tweed) is dyed using local materials such as moss or blackberries, to give it its unique and attractive colouring.

Tweed products are usually made using 60% of wool and 40% of mixed fibres and generally are coated to provide extra resistance to the rain or those potential stubborn stains. Another great feature is the breathable and waterproof lining, ensuring comfort and warmth, when out enjoying various countryside pursuits. Tweed country clothing include:

  • coats
  • waistcoats
  • breeks
  • caps
  • reversible hats

So, perhaps there is – and always has been- a need for tweed country clothing, whether it’s to simply look good when enjoying the great outdoors or, maybe for more practical reasons, to feel warm, dry and comfortable when out facing the elements! (or maybe for both reasons of course!).

Well, if you haven’t already been bitten by the “tweed bug” then you could do a lot worse than try some tweed products for yourself! Please take a look at Cherry Tree Country Clothing Tweed Country Clothing and view the tweed products on offer.

Please consider too, that you can now subscribe to Cherry Tree Country Clothing’s newsletter, to keep you up to date with the latest special offers and useful information about clothing, footwear and useful items of equipment for use in the countryside and the great outdoors!