what is tweed

Tweed is a rough, woollen fabric that is soft, open, and flexible in texture, resembling cheviot or homespun, but more closely woven. It is usually woven with a plain weave, twill, or herringbone structure. Tweeds are an icon of traditional Scottish, Irish, Welsh, and English 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 England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. Tweed is made of tightly woven dyed wool, and it comes in a variety of weights, weaves, and colors. The colorful effect can also be achieved by mixing solid dyed wool prior to spinning. Tweeds essential nature lies ultimately not in its material nor in its weaving, but in its spinning. Tweeds origins, and therefore its modern reputation, lie in its development as a weatherproof fabric for rural workers. There are different types of tweed, such as silk tweed and Saxony tweed. Despite the common terminology, tweed is not a pattern, but a distinctive quality of fabric, which is the technical term for its nature as a woven material.