Tweed (cloth)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tweed is a rough, unfinished woollen fabric, of a soft, open, flexible texture resembling cheviot or homespun, but more closely woven. It is made in either plain or twill weave and may have a check, twill, or herringbone pattern. Subdued, interesting color effects (heather mixtures) are obtained by twisting together differently colored woolen strands into a two- or three-ply yarn. "Lovat" is the name given to the green used in Tweed. Tweeds are desirable for outerwear, being moisture-resistant and very durable. Once worn in, tweeds are used during pheasant shooting by English gentlemen.

The original name was tweel, the Scots for 'twill', the cloth being woven in a twilled rather than a plain pattern. The current name came about almost by chance, according to a tale recounted in Windsor Revisited, written by HRH the Duke of Windsor. About 1830, a London merchant received a letter from a Hawick firm about some tweels. The London merchant misinterpreted the handwriting understanding it to be a trade-name taken from the name of the river Tweed which flows through the Scottish Borders textile areas, subsequently the goods were advertised as Tweed, the name has remained so ever since.

Tweed, also according to the Duke, was a favourite material of both his grandfather King Edward VII and his father, George V.