Life lately…
I’m hoping to get this out on Thursday because, if not, it will be the third Friday of the month! You know how some days you just wake up in a funky mood? Yeah, that was me yesterday. Unfortunately, it was also Nigel. It was the first day of the week with nothing going on, and we should have made some plans. But, Nigel’s recovery, while never fast, seems to be regressing. I’m kinda at my wits end. I’m afraid he’s given up, and I have no idea what to do to change that. Today, though, is the third Thursday of the month which means it’s time for another Ageless Style challenge. This month, Mireille chose “Tweed.” Last month, I selected “The Oldest Thing in Your Closet.” In the past we have worn “Vests,” “Favorite Skirts,” “Colors of Fall,” and many other ideas. If you’re curious, you can find some of my looks here, here, here, and here. Next month’s prompt is “Outerwear!” if you’d like to join us! Please do visit the other hostesses of the link party (oh, yes, there’s a link party) at their various sites!
A little history…
Tweed seems to be one of those fabrics that can mean a lot of different things. I always think Chanel when I hear the word, tweed. Actually, I should be thinking Harris! Tweed is a woolen fabric with a soft, open texture. It can be either cheviot or homespun. It’s usually woven in a plain weave, twill, or herringbone. I never think of any of those things. I usually think of a fabric that is woven like on a loom (remember those potholders we used to make as Christmas gifts) with different colors of yarn included.
A little more…
Traditional Scottish, Irish, Welsh, and English clothing represent a large portion of the tweed repertoire. If you’re wearing a true tweed, it’s moisture-resistant and durable. Think of Queen Elizabeth. I’m sure some of her tweeds were decades old…even older than anything in my closet! Tweed is also desirable because it’s made for harsh weather and, if you’re into it, usually worn for shooting and hunting. In Ireland, tweed is most closely linked to County Donegal, but it originally covered the whole country. If you’re in Scotland, tweed is most often manufactured on the Isle of Harris in the Hebrides. When I was in Scotland, I saw many items made from Harris tweed. I surely do wish I’d bought something, but I was happy with my wool sweater I’d bought at the gift shop by the Blarney Stone!
Origins of the name…
So, where does the word, tweed, come from? It’s from the word, tweel, which is Scotts for twill. I didn’t know that twilling is a way of weaving material. One story says that James Locke, a London merchant, got a letter from Wm. Watson & Sons, Dangerfield Mills about some tweels. Locke apparently misread the handwriting and though it was a trade-name taken from the River Tweed that flows along the Scottish Borders textile area. From then on, the fabric was advertised as tweed. Tweed became popular during the Edwardian period when the middle class saw it as a way of mimicking the upper class. They chose tweed Norfolk jackets for things like hunting, cycling, golfing, and even motoring around. Ever notice Mr. Toad’s Harris Tweed suit? Tweed isn’t just the pattern I thought it was which is an open kind of weave. It includes houndstooth, windowpane, Glen plaid check, and herringbone.
The outfit…
Is it ironic that the last Ageless Style challenge involved barrel jeans? Well, I took them a little bit farther with this pair. Alison from Wardrobe Oxygen posted about these horseshoe jeans from Gap. So, I thought I’d give them a try. I wasn’t sure if they might be a little bit too much, if maybe they were a little too voluminous, a little too clown-esque. Well, Nigel loved them! He rarely gives his opinion so when he does, I listen. They were on sale which was even better. But, the blue floral ones were calling my name. The angel on my shoulder was telling me, “Hey, those probably won’t even be in style this summer.” The little red guy on the other shoulder was saying, “Life is short, buy them!” Guess who won? Believe it or not, this tweed (or is it tweed-like) jacket is somewhere around 12 years old. It’s from the Michael Smaldone Talbots era…back when Talbots really was fashion. I also had a matching skirt with a trumpet hemline. I donated that years ago, but for some reason I held onto this jacket. I always loved the colors and the bracelet length sleeves. It even has pockets! I added one of my white Luxe Old Navy long sleeve tees. Does it work? Hmmm…I think so, but I couldn’t tell you why.
The Lewk!
Hahaha! Now, this is getting ridiculous! I even wore the same adidas München Sneakers in silver/off white/silver. I have no idea why they call them that. They are more greige than silver, and I don’t know where the extra silver comes in to play! I forget where I got the necklace, but I bought it through one of Kellyann’s links. It’s heavy-ish, and I’m kinda afraid the clasp won’t last long. But, isn’t it just plain old spectacular? I had my choice of colors when it came to earrings. I went with these pink gold rimmed earrings from J Jill.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I’m sorry this is coming out so late. But, better late than never, right? I do have a couple of tweed skirts, but I really like the colors in this jacket. And, I’m calling denim as well as tweed a neutral. That means two neutrals make a good look, right? So, can we talk? Did you know tweed came from the Scots word, tweel? How do you feel about having special pieces just for hunting…as in fashion, not camouflage? What do you think of horseshoe jeans? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Thank you!
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Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
And, now, it’s your turn!
Please link up your favorite posts about denim, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Here are links to all of the lovely ladies in the Ageless Style collaboration. Please do visit them on their various media. Link up with us, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you!
I like the look of tweed. I have watched documentaries on Harris Tweed and also follow them on Instagram because I like how they put a picture of a colorway and of the landscape together.
I wish the Bakerboy caps that I love so much still came in sizes and not with the stretchy band in the back for “one size fits all”. I like to put all my hair under there and “one size” doesn’t work for me. So I’m glad I have at least one cap from before that time!
I love tweed very much. That jacket is so beautiful. And those jeans! Wow, I’m currently doubting to buy a pair of leopard ones. Love your layered necklaces too! Super outfit!