Blog Post

Tartan and Tweeds

Jul 10, 2021
Wednesday was a momentous moment for English football.

All my life I’ve waited for this moment, but one thing I took away from this semi-final was how those who aren’t avid football fans were also united and invested in the game. Now, we dare to dream that we may just lift the trophy on Sunday night and the thought of it gives me butterflies.

With the Euro’s, Wimbledon, the Open and Olympics on the horizon, sporting events have helped bring the nation together when the public have needed it the most. There’s a sense of national pride, which may explain why British tweed and tartan is making such a big comeback.

It may be a good omen, or just coincidence, that tartan and tweed has been an incredibly popular fabric choice for my clients of late. The term for tweed is ‘homespun’, a fabric that is created with heritage. Throughout the mid-Victorian period tweed was the go-to fabric for country sportswear, due to its warmth, breathability and cultural currency. Tweed has also been claimed to signify British fashion, ranking as the go-to wardrobe staple of any

gentleman or socialite.


When I think of footballers and tailoring I remember a picture of Paul Gascoigne back in 1996. He was attending a press conference for the Euro’s dressed in a tartan suit. He was making a statement with his flamboyance, but he was also celebrating all that is great about British tailoring.

I recently talked about statement fabrics in a blog post that spotlights the rise of sharp fabrics for formal and casual settings; Often clients feel safer in plain more subtle fabric choice, however after Lockdown 3.0 I’ve noticed the same clients returning with a more adventurous and open mind, often favouring a check or tartan.


We missed out when ‘Gazza’ wore that suit in ‘96, so I’m not taking any chances and will be sure to wear my finest homespun suit to see in the final of Euro 2020 on Sunday night.


Now dare I say, football really is coming home?

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