Tweed's Humble Origins

One of our absolute favourite fabrics here at Oldfield Outfitters is tweed! It's featured in many of our pieces, but what makes it so special?

Tweed is a tough, tightly woven fabric, typically made from wool. It's often woven in different patterns like plain weave or twill. What makes tweed stand out is its warmth and durability – it’s thick and stiff, making it perfect for colder weather. Wool tweed is often made with various colored threads that create stunning patterns, like small squares and vertical lines. It’s no wonder tweed is such a classic choice for suits and jackets, especially since it was originally designed for hunting and outdoor activities.

Tweed has a fascinating history, tracing its roots back to the 18th century in the rugged countryside of Scotland and Ireland. Farmers and rural folks wore tweed for its practicality – the tightly woven wool protected them from the harsh British weather. The origin of the word "tweed" is still up for debate. Some believe it comes from the Scottish word "tweel," referring to the fabric’s diagonal weave, while others love the story of a London merchant mistakenly thinking "tweel" referred to the River Tweed in Scotland, which is famous for its textiles.

By 1848, tweed became a symbol of the upper class across Britain, especially after Prince Albert purchased Balmoral Castle in Scotland and introduced the unique Balmoral tweed. Soon after, estates across the country began creating their own "estate tweeds" to stand out during hunting and other outdoor activities.

Here’s a quick look at some of the different types of tweed:

1. Harris Tweed – A legally-protected fabric from the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. Handwoven and finished on the islands, made from pure virgin wool that’s dyed and spun locally.

2. Donegal Tweed – Originating from Ireland’s Donegal County, this tweed is known for its colorful specks woven throughout the fabric.

3. Saxony Tweed – Made from the soft, smooth wool of merino sheep, originally from Saxony, Germany.

4. Herringbone Tweed – Featuring a distinctive V-shaped pattern, resembling fishbones.

5. Shetland Tweed – Made from the fine wool of Shetland sheep, this tweed is lighter and more delicate, ideal for casual, lighter-weight garments.

6. Barleycorn Tweed – A textured fabric with a dynamic pattern that resembles barleycorn kernels.

7. Cheviot Tweed – Known for being rougher and heavier, this tweed comes from the Cheviot sheep of the Scottish Borders.

8. Overcheck Twill – A twill fabric with a bold check pattern in contrasting colours.

At Oldfield Outfitters, we love tweed for its unbeatable quality and timeless durability – two things we’re passionate about. It’s a fabric that never goes out of style!