Wear with Tweed

The ancient patterns of Fair Isle and tweed work beautifully together.

Wear with Tweed 1/6: a classic understatement.

Fair Isle and tweed make an authentic combination that is gently rich and subtle.



   




Wear with Tweed 2/6: a harmonious spirit.

Vintage geometric patterns chime exquisitely with the herringbones, checks and stripes of tweed.



     




Wear with Tweed 3/6: a giving disposition.

A gift from the north, from across land and sea, for someone who is always in mind.



   




Wear with Tweed 4/6: a native intelligence.

The patterns of tweed and Fair Isle, handed down through many generations, are like communications from an ancient time.



   




Wear with Tweed 5/6: a significant other.

An attraction of opposites: softly draping cashmere with distinctively textured tweed, a vibrant yellow stripe with a sober grey check.



   




Wear with Tweed 6/6: a northern latitude.

Free to be.



   




The photos for this article are by Jim Kerslake.  You can view a selection of his Shetland landscape photos at http://www.ipernity.com/doc/295425/album/451851

The studio product shots are by Phatsheep Photography.


 

Tweed Links

Shetland Tweed is produced by Jamieson's of Shetland in their unique mill on the far western edge of the island.  Under that one roof the raw fleece of island sheep  is transformed into soft Shetland tweed: the fleece is graded, scoured and dyed, the required colours blended, carded and spun, and the yarn then twisted and woven into tweed on large and wonderful looms.  The many stages in the process are fascinating to see, and there are occasional organised tours of the mill.  Jamieson’s exclusive Shetland tweeds, yarns and knitwear are available worldwide from a long list of quality stockists.  Shetland tweed is renowned for its softness, as you can see from shot 3 above. 

Harris Tweed has a disctinctive texture that is very pleasing and immediately recognisable.  The definition of Harris Tweed in the Harris Tweed Act is: "Handwoven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the Outer Hebrides, and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides."  Nick Fiddes of Scotweb has written a charming and informative article, How is harris tweed produced?    The Harris Tweed Authority's blog features profiles of some of the Harris Tweed weavers.  The handbag shown in shot 5 above is from Harris Tweed and Knitwear on the Isle of Harris.

Tweed Guide – The Curiously Compelling Story of Tweed in the online Gentleman’s Gazette is a good article on the various types of tweed.