What is so special about Harris Tweed?

Made in only one remote location in the world, Harris Tweed is the only fabric protected by its own act of Parliament, The Harris Tweed Act 1993 (they mean business!). Manufactured using the finest Scottish Cheviot wool, it is one of the most remarkable textiles in existence.

Is Harris Tweed a luxury brand?

Originally associated with hunting, shooting, and other leisure activities of the elite, Harris Tweed is a luxury brand known for its high-quality wool fabric. Warm and hard-wearing, Tweed is a coarse woollen fabric often woven in plain, twill, and herringbone patterns.

What is Harris Tweed used for?

Originally Harris Tweed was woven by farmers for familial use, as it was ideal for protection against the coastal climates of Norther Scotland. The quality became so well regarded that surplus was often used for barter, eventually becoming a form of currency for the islanders.

Is Harris Tweed good?

To recap, Harris Tweed is a high-quality handwoven fabric that's among the most prized fabrics on the market. You can bring these unique and attractive characteristics into your outfit by investing in a genuine Harris Tweed jacket.

What is special about Tweed?

Tweeds are an icon of traditional Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English clothing, being desirable for informal outerwear, due to the material being moisture-resistant and durable.

The Astonishing Story of Harris Tweed

Who wears Harris Tweed?

Mr Toad in The Wind in the Willows wears classic Harris Tweed suits to denote his wealth and Sloaney leanings. Royals and aristocrats have always loved tweed. Even actors playing royals and aristocrats in The Crown and Downton Abbey have contributed to sales of tweed reportedly increasing by 400 per cent.

How can you tell if Harris Tweed is real?

Who made my Harris Tweed® product? Look for a maker's mark on your product. This will often be in the form of a personalised label, embroidered mark, stamp, permanent (i.e. non-removable) tag or similar. This permanent mark will identify the maker, manufacturer or originators of the product.

Why is Tweed soaked in urine?

Waulking the Fabric

Originally this was done by literally 'walking' (i.e. treading) the fabric in water, perhaps treated with a proportion of urine for its ammonia as a cleansing agent.

What is the best Scottish Tweed?

Well, the two best-known varieties are theoretically defined by their origins: Harris Tweed from the island of Lewis and Harris in Scotland, and Donegal Tweed from the Donegal region of Ireland.

Is Harris Tweed itchy?

"It is not a rough cloth. It is very pliable. "It is not an itchy, old man's jacket cloth and I think it can be applied to a lot of things in fashion." Ms MacCallum said young people entering the Scottish textile industry should learn the history and process of making Harris Tweed.

Can you get tweed wet?

100% Natural. Harris Tweed is made from 100% British wool, naturally renewable, biodegradable and recyclable. Add to this that wool is breathable, wind and waterproof and flame resistant, all without the need for additional finishes.

Why is it called Harris Tweed?

The original definition attached to the Orb Trade Mark stated that: Harris Tweed means a tweed, hand-spun, hand-woven and dyed by the crofters and cottars in the Outer Hebrides. In 1993, a new statutory body to guard the Orb Trade Mark, the Harris Tweed Authority, replaced the original Harris Tweed Association.

Is Harris Tweed made in China?

“You'll never see a tag saying 'Harris Tweed made in China', as moving production away from the Outer Hebrides – or indeed tampering with the Harris Tweed Act of 1993 at all – would be illegal,” says Armitage.

Is Harris Tweed soft?

Harris Tweed®

Tactile, soft, breathable, warm, colourful, sustainable and adaptable: the old image of coarse, scratchy, dour tweed simply does not exist these days. Harris Tweed retains its heritage of practicality and longevity whilst extolling all the qualities and virtues of a truly luxury fabric.

Is Harris Tweed in fashion?

Today, Harris Tweed has become a luxury fabric, being used by the fashion houses Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Chanel.

What is the name of the famous Scottish fabric?

Tartan (Scottish Gaelic: breacan [ˈpɾʲɛxkən]) is a patterned cloth consisting of criss-crossed, horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials.

What is the difference between Harris Tweed and Donegal tweed?

Harris tweed suits are typically softer than Donegal tweed suits. All Harris tweed suits are made of virgin wool. When rubbing your hands across the surface of a Harris tweed suit, you'll notice its fine and supple texture. Donegal tweed suits are soft as well, but not all of them are made of virgin wool.

Why is tweed expensive?

IS TWEED EXPENSIVE? Tweed can be expensive because it's a high-quality, pure wool cloth that's considered a classic. Luckily if you want to spend a little less, you can now buy blended materials that are much friendlier on the wallet.

How heavy is Harris Tweed?

Classic Harris Tweed weighs around 310-330 grams per square metre.

What does Waulk the tweed mean?

Waulking (in Gaelic luadh) is the technique of. finishing the newly-woven tweed by soaking it and thumping it rhythmically to shrink and soften it - all done by hand in the old days. The songs served to keep the rhythm and lighten the work.

Is Harris tweed wool?

Harris Tweed cloth is made with pure virgin wools, which are blended together to gain the advantages of their unique characteristics.

Is tweed for winter only?

Tweed is such a versatile and breathable fabric that we believe that you could style it for any day of the year, formal or casual you can wear it for any occasion.

Is Harris Tweed the best tweed?

Made in only one remote location in the world, Harris Tweed is the only fabric protected by its own act of Parliament, The Harris Tweed Act 1993 (they mean business!). Manufactured using the finest Scottish Cheviot wool, it is one of the most remarkable textiles in existence.

Is Harris Tweed real leather?

Top part of the glove is Made of 100% Harris Tweet & the bottom 100% Real Leather. Available in Size S,M,L,XL. For centuries the inhabitants of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, on the islands of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra, have hand woven a beautiful and intricate cloth the world knows simply as Harris Tweed.

Can you wash Harris Tweed?

Our Harris Tweed® is made from Pure New Wool, so it is best to wash it as little as possible. We recommend you dry clean our accessory products to retain their look and feel.