Harris Tweed® Vest

Harris Tweed® – from the Hebrides to the wide world

For centuries, the Scots have raised sheep and used the wool they produce. This wool keeps the population warm and dry in the rainy, harsh climate while also being breathable. Tweed fabrics have long been known, especially in rural Scotland. The name tweed does not come from the River Tweed, as is sometimes claimed—that is a folk etymology—but from the Scottish form "tweel," which is the technical term for twill weave. Twill weave, along with its variations, is one of the three classic weaves in weaving. Twill fabrics, including tweed, are very robust and flexible at the same time, making them ideal for leisure and workwear. In the first half of the 19th century, thanks to Sir Walter Scott and Lord Brougham, Lord Chancellor of Great Britain, tweed fabrics became fashionable among the upper classes.

Harris Tweed®: Pure luxury in wool

Harris Tweed® is the pinnacle of fine woolen fabrics. It is traditionally handwoven on Lewis and Harris, an island in the Outer Hebrides off the northwest coast of Scotland. Its origins date back a long way; in Gaelic, it is simply called Clò Mòr, which essentially means 'great cloth'. Harris Tweed® only truly became famous around the mid-19th century when Lady Dunmore had her family tartan woven in Harris Tweed®. She thus set a trend that continues to this day.

The Harris Tweed® fabrics, so precious today, are inspected and certified according to the strict regulations of the Harris Tweed Authority; only with this seal can they be called Harris Tweed®.

Since 1910, Harris Tweed® has been a registered trademark, whose seal of quality with orb and Maltese cross confirms that the tweed fabrics are handwoven and manufactured by local weavers using 100% local Scottish wool, spun and dyed in the Outer Hebrides (Harris Tweed Act 1993 §7).

Our Harris Tweed® weavers work at home, in their private workshops, on pedal looms, without electricity or modern tools, during the spring and summer months when the days are longer and brighter. One of the most famous Harris Tweed® weavers is Donald John Mackay, whom we have followed for many years and whom we have also had the privilege of visiting at his home.

After weaving, the finished bolts of fabric are washed, mangled, dried, and certified as Harris Tweed® in wool mills. The Scottish wool comes largely from heritage sheep breeds, particularly Blackface and Cheviot, which are well-suited to the harsh climate of northern Scotland, similar to Shetland wool.

Harris Tweed® is warm in winter, protects against wind and rain, is breathable, very durable and lasts a lifetime.

Harris Tweed® has become an indispensable part of the fashion industry in recent decades, particularly for the major French and Italian fashion houses. These time-honored fabrics have become a highly sought-after luxury item. Whether classic jackets or trendy accessories , Harris Tweed® is more in demand today than ever before.

Our Harris Tweed® jackets, blazers, vests, and caps are still rugged and stiff when new. It is only through wear that the tweed develops its pleasant and soft texture. The longer it's worn, the better!

Things you didn't know about Harris Tweed®

The first store to successfully sell Harris Tweed® in Austria was run by the legendary British Secret Intelligence Service MI6. The store was opened in 1949 during the Cold War as a cover to divert attention from intelligence activities against the Soviets . It proved so popular with Viennese and Austrians that it was a commercial success.

Near the shop, British intelligence acquired another house to dig a tunnel for a listening post to eavesdrop on the Soviets . The operation was codenamed "Operation Lord." MI6 shared the information gathered with the American CIA in what was known as "Operation Silver."

In 1952, the Vienna listening tunnel collapsed due to tram vibrations, but the eavesdropping operation yielded such successful results that under US President Eisenhower, the same intelligence operation was carried out in Berlin, this time under the codename "Operation Gold." However, the Soviets were already aware of this operation before the tunnel was built, thanks to the double agent George Blake.

Learn more at: https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/operation-gold-the-cias-berlin-tunnel/ (29.08.2023).

The Harris Tweed® trademark still stipulates that the fabric, which must be made of 100% virgin wool, may only be produced in the Outer Hebrides. This includes primarily the islands of Harris and Lewis, Skye, Grimsay, Uist, and Barra. Furthermore, only fabric woven on Harris and Lewis can be considered genuine Harris Tweed®.

The advantages of Harris Tweed®

Harris Tweed® has a number of advantages that make it a prized and high-quality fabric:

• Quality and durability: Harris Tweed® is very hard-wearing and resistant to wear and tear, which is why it is particularly impressive in terms of its longevity. This is also a plus for sustainability. In addition, the fabric is breathable, insulating, and moisture-wicking.
• Uniqueness: Every meter of Harris Tweed® is unique, as it is woven on handlooms. This results in individual variations and a certain vibrancy that cannot be achieved with machine-made fabrics. Another special feature is that the yarns for Harris Tweed® are dyed before spinning. This is a process known as fleece dyeing.
• Variety of designs: Harris Tweed® comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, from traditional tartans to modern designs. This makes it suitable for formal occasions as well as casual wear.
• Authenticity and protection of origin: Harris Tweed® is protected by the "Harris Tweed Act," which ensures that only tweed fabrics handwoven in the Outer Hebrides, particularly on the islands of Harris and Lewis, may bear this name. This guarantees authenticity and protects against counterfeits.

Harris Tweed®: High-quality clothing for every occasion

Harris Tweed truly became famous thanks to the successful James Bond films, in which Sean Connery stylishly battled villains since Goldfinger. Find high-quality and unique products made from this popular material with us – you'll feel the difference when you wear them!