Tweed maintenance—something worth knowing especially in winter

This time, we're taking a look at how to care for "tweed."

Tweed gives winter outfits a warm look and a touch of maturity.

It's a wool fabric with a long history in Scotland,

and it's said that, if treated with care, a piece can be cherished across three generations.

Here we introduce some self-care tips for keeping your

winter tweed items in good condition for years to come.

[The Deeper You Look, the More There Is to Know About Tweed]

When you hear the word "tweed," you probably picture

all kinds of items—coats, jackets, brimmed hats, and more.

The colors tend toward gray and brown tones, and when you touch it,

you can feel the "weave" of the fabric under your fingers—a somewhat rugged texture that,

at the same time, gives an impression of warmth.

If you look up "tweed" in a dictionary, you'll find an explanation along the lines of "a woven fabric made from unfulled wool yarn."

That's a rather dense explanation full of unfamiliar terms, but

broadly speaking, tweed belongs to the family of "fabrics woven from wool yarn."

"Fulling" refers to the process of felting wool fibers.

For example, "melton fabric," commonly used for duffel coats and pea coats, is also a type of wool fabric,

but because melton undergoes this fulling process, the "weave" isn't very visible in the finished product.

Tweed, on the other hand, is not fulled, so the texture of the weave itself remains intact.

Tweed fabric is generally woven using either a "twill weave" or a "plain weave."

The herringbone pattern, whose name means "herring bones," is another design that makes the most of tweed's distinctive texture.

We won't go into detail about the specific characteristics of each weave here, but

in any case, tweed fabric develops more character the more it's used, and

if it's carefully woven, high-quality tweed can carry enough quality to be passed down through three generations.

In this way, the defining feature of tweed fabric is the natural texture of wool weaving itself, so

it's worth taking care of it in a way that preserves this woven character.

[Tweed Maintenance]

▼Everyday Care

What defines tweed fabric, above all, is the texture of its weave.

And the trick to preserving that texture is daily brushing.

Dust tends to get caught in the gaps between the threads of tweed, so

it's important to remove each day's dirt on the same day—

otherwise dust and grime can work their way into the weave and settle there.

1. Brush lightly against the direction of the fibers with quick strokes, to lift dust off the surface.

2. Brush along the direction of the fibers to smooth the surface of the fabric.

3. If you like, finish with an anti-static spray or deodorizing spray.

[Brushing Tips]

・Use a clothes brush made for wool products (natural bristles, such as boar hair, are preferable).

・For three-dimensional items like hats, put your hand inside and brush from there.

・For items where tweed panels are sewn together, dust and debris tend to collect along the seams, so brush those areas carefully.

・For small accessories, use a handy, compact brush.

This lets you avoid applying too much force, while still reaching into small details.

▼Can Tweed Be Washed in Water?

The more attached you are to an item, the more you want to take care of it yourself, as much as possible.

Since some wool knits and mufflers can be washed at home,

you might assume the same is true for tweed—but

・Getting wet can damage the texture (through felting)

・The lining is sewn in, making drying and finishing difficult

For these reasons, it's safest to avoid washing tweed fabric in water, and

many brands recommend dry cleaning instead.

When it comes to care, first read the attached care label carefully,

then rely on daily brushing and stain removal to prevent dirt from settling in and to minimize wear as much as possible.

Additionally, for items that can be dry cleaned,

have them dry cleaned about once per season, as needed.

[Studio Donegal Tweed Mufflers]

Muffler: Irish Tweed Muffler

Top: GUENSEY WOOLLENS Crew Neck Knit

Bottoms: Double Jacquard Tapered Pants

A sensibility cultivated in an isolated setting surrounded by mountains

gives Studio Donegal's tweed its distinctive character.

The fabric, made slowly and painstakingly using time-honored methods,

is woven by Studio Donegal, a long-established tweed maker

based in the small village of Donegal in northwest Ireland.

This region is also known as the birthplace of the high-quality tweed called "Donegal Tweed,"

and hand-spun yarn is produced in a town with a population of just 150 people.

The fabric is thick, highly durable, and offers excellent warmth—characteristics achieved through

dyeing methods using now-rare traditional techniques,

Every step, from hand-spinning to hand-weaving, is finished into a product entirely by hand.

The rustic, robust texture and the tasteful balance of colors that only Donegal tweed can offer,

the distinctive softness unique to hand-weaving pairs beautifully with a wide variety of materials.  

【Tweed Hats by HANNA HATS】

Here is another brand that also works with Donegal tweed.

HANNA HATS began when the current company head, John Hanna, and his father, David Hanna,

started out as bespoke tailors making men's clothing,

and in 1964 they began making handmade hats.

There is also a story that says it all started because they felt it was such a waste

to throw away the leftover scraps of tweed fabric, which is what led them to begin making hats.

Every stage of production, from cutting to sewing, is carried out at their own factory by skilled craftspeople working by hand,

painstakingly and carefully, which has earned the brand a solid reputation for quality.

Among the customers who have come to love the warmth of these handmade products

are several past U.S. presidents and famous Hollywood stars.  

The tweed cap features a button at the center of its eight-panel top crown,

and the short brim gives it a stylish look.

The lining is made of glossy satin to resist stains, adding a touch of luxury.

Caps tend to have a boyish silhouette that can come across as casual,

but by using carefully chosen tweed fabric,

this cap achieves a wonderfully calm, grown-up impression instead.

 ▼HANNA HATS, for a sharper, more polished coordinate

▼Studio Donegal, where you'll find small items worth passing down