The many faces of tweed

Few fabrics carry as much character and history as tweed. Its texture, warmth and depth have made it a fixed part of menswear, and worn in its most classic form, we still find it beautiful. But tweed doesn't have to tell only one story.

The classic: Harris Tweed

In our Van Gogh studio we photographed tweed in its most traditional form: the Drake's Mk. VII Games Blazer in an olive herringbone Harris Tweed, handwoven in Scotland. Cut slightly shorter and fuller than traditional tailoring, it has a soft natural shoulder, an unlined body with lined shoulders and sleeves, slanted Barchetta pockets and genuine horn buttons. Sharp enough for tailoring, relaxed enough to wear every day.

Tweed with room to play

This season we also like to give tweed a more playful character. Layer it with a bright colour, add a sporty sweatshirt underneath or bring in baseball-inspired details, and something deeply rooted in traditional menswear suddenly feels different.

The same goes the other way round. The Universal Works pleated track pants are cut from a recycled wool-mix tweed, with an elasticated, pleated waist instead of a tailored front. The flecked tweed gives them the depth of a wool trouser, the shape keeps them easy. They come in navy, charcoal and olive.

Tradition, with room to play

That contrast is what we love. Classic when you want it to be, relaxed and playful when you change the layers around it. The fabric stays the same, the way you wear it gives it a new perspective.

The blazer and the track pants are available online and in our store in Arnhem. See the original post on Instagram.