Prada Coat

If there‘s any fabric that‘s going to make you feel old, it has to be tweed. Conjuring up images of Miss Marple of Margaret Thatcher in her heyday, many of us associate tweeds with a frumpy school marmish look, but worn the right way tweed can actually look amazing.

Of course, you can‘t really talk about tweed without mentioning Vivienne Westwood – she has been using traditional Harris Tweed as a constant motif in her collections for many years.

It was Vivienne Westwood who first transported tartan from the depths of the rural Highlands and made it commercially fashionable back in the 90s with her iconic mini kilt and tweed coats.

Stella McCartney Coat Dress 

Since Vivienne Westwood started using tweeds on the catwalk the classic cloth – which had traditionally been used to make country jackets for men seeking comfort, not couture – has increasingly been sought by top fashion names.

Part of the reason why tweed is enjoying this resurgence in popularity is down to new technology, which has helped to create many different kinds of yarn in a myriad of tones.

Off-White Coat 

Although die-hard fans will insist there is nothing like the real thing, man-made wool-mixes have helped to bring down the price and allowed tweed to become a soaring high street success. As long as it’s sharply cut in a flattering shade, tweed is the texture of winter.

Tweed has an aristocratic image for good reason; if ever a stiff upper lip was needed for a fashion trend, this is it. Tweed is famously itchy and going out in the rain only makes it worse because you smell like a horse too.

Alexander McQueen Dress 

But, once again, with the first sign of cold weather, it bounces back into fashion. In tweed’s favour, it is undeniably practical, warm and hardwearing. But what makes it trendy is its texture, and many of this winter’s trends are all about adding “feel appeal”.

Make sure anything tweedy you even think about buying is fully lined. This is especially true of trousers; a thick pair of tights will not protect you, they will only make the trousers cling to your legs for dear life. Not a good look.

Stella McCartney Coat Dress

The other great drawback with tweed is that, because of its dense texture, it can make you feel surprisingly large. So look for trousers with a slim leg – too much fabric will make you look vast, so stick to straight, soft A-line or black slim fit jeans. It’s all about making the skinniest outline possible, so make sure the rest of the outfit is simple and unfussy.

Another way to make it more modern is to wear something not usually made out of tweed.If you can’t bear the thought of tweed next to your skin, take the accessory option by choosing a tweed cap or bag.