When you think of tweed, you probably conjure an image of an old-fashioned, out of date gentleman who is going shooting (like this). This is the classic image of what is, unquestionably, a very British style. Yet, tweed is back in fashion, and for very good reason.
Like many other fashion ideas, tweed fashion has come a long way in a short time. Whereas you still have that image of the country gentleman, the tweed suit has made something of a comeback in the past few years. After all, this is a quality material associated with some very highbrow men’s fashion names. It’s also very comfortable, and a great way of keeping warm in the colder months.
So, let’s be honest, are you going to have to pay a lot of money for a quality tweed suit? Well, you may be surprised, but you can buy well-made, beautifully fitting tweed suits at sensible prices, and there’s a lot of choice. What you do need to know is how to wear it!
Wearing as a Suit
You may or may not know the golden rules of wearing a three-piece suit. If not, it’s worth reading this next section for some tips on what is right, and what is wrong! First, the most common mistake men make when wearing tweed suits – or any suit for that matter – is leaving the jacket unbuttoned. When standing, your jacket must always be buttoned for the best look – this is what the jacket is tailored for – and the bottom button should be left undone. This way, the jacket hangs as it should.
If you are going for a check tweed suit – and this is very much an in-look at the moment – be careful not to pair it with a fussy shirt or sweater. You’re already patterned head to toe, and don’t want to be more so. Furthermore, your shirt should be buttoned to the top; this is not optional, and is the only way to look right in a three-piece tweed suit.
Shoes should not contrast with the suit but should blend in – many men prefer to wear brown with a tweed suit, and it is personal choice – and always leave the lower button of your waistcoat undone for fit. If you want to see how good a well-made tweed suit looks when worn correctly head over to this website where you can find some great inspiration and designs to help you with your look.
Wearing the Jacket
One benefit of investing in a quality tweed suit – and you don’t have to go check, there are other more understated patterns and designs available – is that the jacket itself is very versatile. Bear in mind that the above ‘rules’ are for wearing a three-piece suit, but you can throw them away when you choose to wear the jacket as part of a casual outfit.
For a start, a tweed jacket looks great with a t-shirt, polo shirt or shirt or sweater, and a pair of quality jeans (example here). This is a classic look that will never age, and one that is very easy to pull off. For footwear, steer away from trainers and go for either a semi-formal leather shoe in brown or good quality deck shoes for a seriously casual style.
As for buttons, it’s up to you; whereas they should be done up when worn as a three-piece, there’s no reason to adhere to this rule when wearing the tweed jacket in casual style. Leave it open if you wish, but don’t roll up the sleeves, as that is a definite no-no!
The Country Look
So, tweed is back, and with some style too! The country gent look is very much of the moment, and why not? It’s always good to get some variety in your wardrobe, and you will certainly start to notice tweed more often if you look around you. It’s a comfortable, stylish and long-lasting material that offers great looks at sensible prices, and you really can’t go wrong whether you want it for casual wear, occasional use or just need a new suit!
Check out tweed suits now, and see how you can get the classy, country look for a surprisingly low price.
