Where To Buy Harris Tweed
All our cloth is stamped by the Harris Tweed Authority and to ensure there is no confusion all items made using Harris Tweed are marked with this orb image harris tweed logo We hope that you will enjoy shopping with us.
where to buy harris tweed
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Harris Tweed Isle of Harris is a family-run business that specialises in the world-famous cloth known as Harris Tweed. The family has a rich heritage of weavers that go back generations and are proud to be able to continue the family legacy combining our rich time-honoured craft with modern, contemporary influences. Initially, the family business was weaving and selling tweed lengths, we are now able to offer a large range of Harris Tweed products such as jackets, handbags, purses, soft furnishings, and many other accessories.
Arguably the most famous fabric to come out of the British Isles, a Harris Tweed garment is always a good investment. Spun, woven and dyed on the isles of Harris and Lewis, the tweed reflects the hardy nature of the sheep it is shawn from.
Harris Tweed (Scottish Gaelic: Clò Mór or Clò Hearach) is a tweed cloth that is handwoven by islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, finished in the Outer Hebrides, and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides. This definition, quality standards and protection of the Harris Tweed name are enshrined in the Harris Tweed Act 1993.[1][2]
The original name of tweed fabric was "tweel", the Scots word for twill, as the fabric was woven in a twill weave rather than a plain (or tabby) weave. A number of theories exist as to how and why "tweel" became corrupted into "tweed"; in one, a London merchant in the 1830s, upon receiving a letter from a Hawick firm inquiring after "tweels", misinterpreted the spelling as a trade name taken from the River Tweed, which flows through the Scottish Borders. Subsequently, the goods were advertised as "tweed", the name used ever since.[3]
When Alexander Murray, 6th Earl of Dunmore, inherited the North Harris Estate from his father in 1836, production of tweed in Outer Hebrides was still entirely manual. Wool was washed in soft, peaty water before being dyed using dyestuffs derived from local plants and lichens. It was then processed and spun, before being hand woven by the crofters in their cottages.
Traditional island tweed was characterised by the flecks of colour achieved through the use of natural dyes, including the lichen known as "crottle" (Parmelia saxatilis and Parmelia omphalodes), which gave the fabric deep red or purple-brown and rusty orange colours respectively.[4] The use of these lichens also resulted in a distinctive scent that made older Harris Tweed fabrics easily identifiable.[5]
Upon the death of the 6th Earl of Dunmore in 1843, responsibility for his estate on the Isle of Harris passed to his wife, Lady Catherine Herbert. Lady Catherine noticed the marketing potential and high quality of the tweed cloth produced locally by two sisters from the village of Strond. Known as the Paisley Sisters after the town where they had trained, the fabric woven by them was of a remarkably higher quality than that produced by untrained crofters. In 1846, the Countess commissioned the sisters to weave lengths of tweed with the Murray family tartan. She sent the finished fabric to be made up into jackets for the gamekeepers and ghillies on her estate. Being hardwearing and water resistant, the new clothing was highly suited to life on the Dunmores' estate.[citation needed] Her ideas were complemented by the work of "Fanny" Beckett. She organised the weavers and created training an quality control and promoted Harris Tweed as a sustainable and local industry.[6]
Legal protection of the name of Harris Tweed by a trade mark and an established standard definition became essential. Groups of merchants in both Lewis and Harris applied to the Board of Trade for a registered trade mark. When this trade mark, the Orb, was eventually granted, the board insisted that it should be granted to all the islands of the Outer Hebrides i.e. to Lewis, North and South Uist, Benbecula and Barra, as well as to Harris, the rationale for this decision being that the tweed was made in exactly the same way in all those islands.
The following definition of genuine Harris Tweed became statutory: "Harris Tweed means a tweed which has been hand woven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the islands of Harris, Lewis, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra and their several purtenances (The Outer Hebrides) and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides".[7]
All weavers are self-employed and can work as a 'mill weaver' commissioned by any of the three mills or as an 'independent weaver' making and selling their own cloth, sometimes on private commission. Mill weavers are supplied with beamed warps and yarn directly from the mills along with instructions on how the cloth must be woven. Once the tweed is woven, it is collected by the mill for finishing and stamping, and is then sold by the mill. Independent weavers on the other hand must purchase yarn from the mills and warp it themselves, often to their own design. The independent weaver then sends their woven cloth to the mill for finishing and stamping (which they pay for as a service) before it is returned to the weaver to sell for themselves. A weaver can work both as a mill weaver and an independent weaver.[citation needed]
The cloth has had a resurgence in recent years but many people still think it's hard to find and difficult to come by. The Harris Tweed Authority - guardians of the precious orb and promoter worldwide of the tweed - have been doing such a sterling job of telling the story of the tweed, enthusing about its amazing qualities and generally banging the drum across the globe about it. So the answer to that oft asked question of where do you buy Harris Tweed is - many places! The great thing is that weavers are still weaving for the mills, but there are many small suppliers working away on their looms and in their crofts independently and you can buy directly from them.
You may have seen my recent post about the tweed supplied by Crotal Bragar. You can see their website here: www.crotalharristweed.co.uk. Stunning single width herringbones, barleycorns and checks in traditional and more contemporary colourways.
I've also worked with Donald John Mackay at Luskentyre. His cloth is so beautiful and much of it mirrors the wonderful landscape that's just outside his window. His work is much in demand having become almost the 'face' of the Harris Tweed weaver and has many fans visiting him at his croft, either to buy tweed or to interview him for television or radio. Or just to take a wander on Luskentyre Beach - which has to be among the most beautiful in the world.
So rather than being difficult to find, we must celebrate that Harris Tweed is becoming popular throughout the world, bringing new weavers into the industry and enriching the local economy. And it's only a click away. For lovers of Harris Tweed, this is great news - especially for me as it has grown my bespoke service over the years, just because there are so many tweeds available and I can give customers just what they're looking for. Thank you Harris Tweed!
This is an absolutely lovely jacket. It presents that beautiful classic tweed look, but with enough of a tailored fit to still be feminine and flattering. It is impressively high quality and well worth the price, as it will certainly give many years of wear. Customer service from Bucktrout is professional and efficient, and I would not hesitate to buy from them again.
Bought a waistcoat and some trousers to go with an existing jacket and make it into a suit. Looks great, of course, and very comfortable. Also Katie in the office was really helpful when I emailed to check that the tweed was the same as the jacket I already had - spoke to the production team for me and even offered to send a swatch out if... Read More Bought a waistcoat and some trousers to go with an existing jacket and make it into a suit. Looks great, of course, and very comfortable. Also Katie in the office was really helpful when I emailed to check that the tweed was the same as the jacket I already had - spoke to the production team for me and even offered to send a swatch out if I wanted it.
Harris Tweeds from the Outer Hebrides of Scotland give you a wide range of some of the finest tweeds available in the world. Our Harris Tweeds are woven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides and made of virgin wool dyed and spun on the islands. These are woven especially for us and available in Herringbone, Check, and Plain weaves in a traditional heavy (470-500gms) weight, and the newer Light (454gms) weight Harris Tweed.
Walker Slater has grown gently from its roots in the Highlands, where it was established with a mission to provide remote communities with durable and versatile clothing to combat the harsh elements. From there the brand moved south, opening shops in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London and began to offer ready to wear tailoring in a range of contemporary and elegant styles, each carefully designed by our in-house design team. With colour palettes inspired by the rugged charm of the Scottish landscape, from its age-old towns and cities to earthy landscapes, we offer garments for any occasion and for any style.
In our Contemporary Collection, silhouette is everything, pairing of highly considered, sartorial cuts with traditional woollen and tweed fabrics the colour palette is kept muted. Subtle tones and textures interplay to create timeless and versatile garments. The soft and subtle palette allows our fabrics to remain at the focal point, the fabric draped gently yet meticulously to form tailored and elegant garments. tweeds blended with cashmere and wool flannel soften the campaign, the smooth and supple fabrics interspersed throughout to provide an understated luxury to our Contemporary Collection. 041b061a72