Are these tweed spats?

[Steve Ashton]

Darn it Tobus, I'm really sorry but it seems that I am butting into quite a few of your posts today. I am really sorry.

The word Tweed refers to a fabric woven of yarns with a distinctive multi-color to them. There are many non patterned Tweeds.

"Tweed is a rough, fabric, of a soft, open, flexible texture, resembling cheviot or homespun, but more closely woven. It is usually woven with a plain weave, twill or herringbone structure. Colour effects in the yarn may be obtained by mixing dyed wool before it is spun.Tweeds are an icon of traditional Scottish and Irish clothing, being desirable for informal outerwear, due to the material being moisture-resistant and durable. Tweeds are made to withstand harsh climates and are commonly worn for outdoor activities such as shooting and hunting, in both Ireland and Scotland. In Scotland (and England along with the rest of the world) Tweed is most associated with the company name "Harris". In Ireland, tweed manufacturing is most associated with County Donegal."

There is a cute story about the name. "The original name of the cloth was tweel, Scots for twill, the material being woven in a twilled rather than a plain pattern. A traditional story has the name coming about almost by chance. Around 1831, a London merchant received a letter from a Hawick firm, Wm. Watson & Sons, Dangerfield Mills about some "tweels". The merchant misinterpreted the handwriting, understanding it to be a trade-name taken from the river Tweed that flows through the Scottish Borders textile area. The goods were subsequently advertised as Tweed and the name has remained since.

Tweed may be woven in a Tartan pattern. So this would properly be called a Tweed Tartan.



There is also a common misconception that the brand name Harris Tweed denotes a particular type of fabric. Harris Tweed 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. There are thousands of different fabrics that carry the Harris Tweed label.