The Need for Tweed: Harris Tweed and Clarks

We’re having something of a woolly moment here at TWR, after seeing wool weaves at Solva Woollen Mill last week, we came across a Harris Tweed/ Clarks combo that got my heart racing at the Clarks press day -held in the redundant Aldwych Tube Station (which was a treat in itself, all 40s-wood charm and Brief Encounter signage). I thought I’d got enough brogues, but I think I’ll have to have a pair of these lovely ones, or maybe the tweedy heels below, just to get some Harris Tweed into my shoe wardrobe.

Harris Tweed’s another one of those amazing UK manufacturers that produces exquisite fabric that’s shipped all over the world, yet I don’t have a single Harris Tweed item in my wardrobe. I love the fabric and strangely have been seeing it crop up more at vintage fairs in mens jackets, where it is SO covetable, having often worn with age to a fabulous friendly softness. I love it worn with florals in a Mad-Miss-Marple way, but I’m not sure anybody else thinks this is a good thing….

These Harris Tweed/Clarks shoes seem such a good match though, don’t they? Two great UK manufacturers and designers doing good stuff together, make’s your heart proud. And what HAS happened to Clarks? Suddenly I want ALL the shoes….

If you are interested, Harris Tweed is defined officially  as ‘Cloth that has been handwoven by the islanders of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra in their homes, using pure virgin wool that has been dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides.This is the definition contained in the Harris Tweed Act of 1993 and it ensures that all cloth certified with the Harris Tweed Orb symbol complies with this definition and is genuine Harris Tweed, the world’s only commercially produced handwoven tweed.’ So now you know, more tweedy info here

And below are tweedy shoes (£150) from Jaggy Nettle, a Scottish luxury label, I found them when poking about the Harris Tweed website, and I LIKE them…They also come in orange Harris Tweed, Mmmm, the brogues have competition.

Harris Tweed and Clarks shoes drop into store and online from mid June onwards and prices start from £50 up to £89.