Some would argue that sheep degrade land and harm ecosystems. In all fairness, however, it’s not the sheep doing it—it’s the humans raising them. Sheep aren’t inherently bad for land, they just need to be moved around from time to time to make sure they don’t erode soil or cause any other environmental harm. Despite being durable, wool is highly biodegradable. If you leave a wool garment and a polyester garment out in the rain, wind, and snow for a hundred years, the wool will have disappeared and the polyester will remain.

English nobles originally were quite taken with how tweed blended in perfectly with the surrounding countryside. Even today, tweed is beloved for its natural allure. The mills we work closely with include Marton Mills, Abraham Moon, Johnstons of Elgin, Mallalieus of Delph, Robert Noble, McGee of Donegal, Lovat Mills and more. All of these mills do an exceptional job in producing different quantities and designs. We work passionately to ensure the tweeds we select for our catalogue are exclusive to us in full or by the colour available.

How does tweed fabric impact the environment?

Later in the century, advances in the production of tweed meant that it became more affordable and attainable for those who weren’t nobility or farmers. Its durable and water-resistant properties meant that it was used to make hunting and fishing attire, and the natural hues of the fibres were beneficial for providing camouflage in countryside areas. Modern tweed more closely represents the English nobility’s interpretation than it does the original rugged Scottish fabric. Regardless, tweed’s ability to resist the environment has won it an enduring place in the international fashion world, and tweed garments are still made and sold in reasonably large quantities today. Whether you’re on the hunt for a new look for a ladies brunch, a work outift or a night out, our tweed is the perfect statement to dress up or down. Our selection of tweed designs and weights will effortlessly flatter your figure.

Frequently asked questions about tweed At The House of Bruar, we get a number of questions about our tweed fabrics, so we’ve collected them all together so you can easily find the information that you’re looking for. How is tweed made? Tweed’s rich history partly comes from its process of production. Traditionally, tweed fibres were hand-dyed using natural dyes before being hand-woven on a loom. Today, the tweed manufacturing process has been mechanised to speed up production and meet increased demand. Tweed garments are usually made up of natural wool fibres from merino sheep. Merino sheep produce a coat of wool once a year which is often harvested by hand. Have a read of our guide to Merino wool to learn more about where it comes from.How to wash tweed Most of our tweeds are made from pure new wool. While regular wool can often be recycled into new garments, new wool is a fresh weave that has not been previously used – and which hasn’t sustained any wear. It’s best to wash tweed made from new wool as little as possible. Wool is one of the most sustainable textile fibers. It does very little damage to the environment, but there are certain ways that the global wool industry could be improved. Here’s a breakdown of all the good and bad ways tweed production might impact the environment: The wool yarn is dyed in particular colors and dried in bunches. The ratio of certain dye colors to each other is balanced perfectly to result in the exact tweed pattern that’s desired.

Here we have put together a guide to help explain the variety of weaves this traditional cloth comes in. But what caused the farmer’s favourite from the North to become a fashion essential centuries later? The Men's Tweed Blazers collection includes a range of tweed blazers in different styles, patterns, and colours. Since tweed is in less demand, producers have to increase prices to make ends meet. At the same time, it’s also easier than ever before to find cheap tweed since this fabric is mainly machine-manufactured. Tweed comes in a variety of different weights to make it suitable for various articles of clothing. When shopping for a tweed item, it is important to know if the piece will be worn as outerwear, sporting wear or as an everyday item.When it’s dry, the freshly-coloured yarn is placed into an industrial mixer that forms the right hue that’s required for the tweed weave. A highly popular version of tweed, this traditional design comes in three sizes distinguishable by their scale. The cloth comes in a variety of patterns and weights; these designs range from Herringbone to Barleycorn, and each has a specific intended use. Different types of tweed usually take their name from their place of origin, such as Shetland Tweed and, the most renowned, Harris Tweed. However, the largest variety lies in the patterns created by the weave of the material. We work with a range of mills to produce our tweed and make an effort to source these, as well as our other natural fibre materials, as locally as possible.

Thanks to the versatile nature of this fabric, it’ll never look out of place, regardless of whether you’re strolling in the fields or dining at a smart restaurant on formal occasions. Wear a tweed blazer with chinos or jeans for a smart-casual style or consider combining it with a matching tweed shooting waistcoat for full country styling. Summer or winter, these blazers are an excellent choice. Though we do recommend dry cleaning to maintain the shape and look of tweed, please follow the knitwear care instructions below if you prefer to perform home care on your tweed garments. Gently squeeze the suds through the garment. Be cautious not to wring, rub, or stretch whilst washing. A traditional twill style makes up the base of this tweed. Marled yarns are woven together in a way that creates a chevron-like pattern that makes up the base of the cloth. Though this is not always the case, it is true for a large number of designs. A traditional twill style that creates a fishbone-like pattern as the fibres are woven together. This popular style has earned its name through the V-shapes that bear a strong resemblance to herring bones.While high-end wools like cashmere aren’t commonly used to make tweed, even regular merino wool has a variety of quality grades. This style of tweed is classically characterised by its textured appearance. It earns its name from its resemblance to barleycorns when they are stored in bulk. THE COLLECTION RANGES FROM CHUNKY CABLES TO FINER PLAIN KNITS, ALL DESIGNED FOR EFFECTIVE PROTECTION AGAINST THE COLD Once harvested, the wool is cleaned to remove any dirt and debris. It’s then passed between a pair of spiked panels, a process known as carding, to brush the wool and align the fibres in the same direction. It results in the fibres being formed into long strings that can be spun to make yarn. This type of tweed is named for its similarity in appearance to barley grains, which are sometimes called corns.