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My most middle aged question ever.....
It appears a tweed jacket and waistcoat need to be my next workwear purchases. Warm, smart without being suit smart to be worn with smart chinos type trousers, and hopefully hard wearing.
But what/where to buy? I think I am allergic to shops and that is before covid but appreciate fit is everything. I look bloody stupid in a suit with big shoulders and a slim waist so tend to look like a coat hanger. The one thing my jackets don't need is any sort of additional shoulder padding or generous cut for a (thankfully non existent) gut.
Would be good if it had some authenticity (whatever the hell I mean by that) so trying to avoid the usual high street brands. And if I had a choice I'd rather look hipster than like my old grandad.
Any successful online purchases out there?
I've always fancied one of these, definitely a bit hipster I suppose - https://universalworks.co.uk/products/universal-works-bakers-jacket-in-navy-herringbone-harris-tweed
Walker Slater
White Stuff do a nice range of waistcoats. I have a tweed jacket which came from Crew Clothing, wasn't expensive.
Corning’s? I be not bought from them but Mrs kilo has when she went to a few shoots
Friend of mine has a little shop that has been popular on here in recent months. They do suits that are more hipster then faux country gentry.
Ebay. Lots of real older tweeds still wearing well not like the lightweight modern stuff.
I seem to remember Donegal Tweed sell direct?
Quick Edit: my post should be Cordings
I have a Magee Donegal tweed jacket, bought it years ago, very nice, tweed does last well
Many years ago I found a GoreTex lined tweed jacket in the Cotswold Outlet store at Betws-y-Coed. Never since one since mind...
Cabourn Mallory
https://www.cabourn.com/products/mallory-jacket-brown-navy
Roderick Charles
Hudson Harvey
Corning’s
These people do good stuff, not the cheapest but ace quality and construction:
It appears a tweed jacket and waistcoat need to be my next workwear purchases.
Would it be impertinent to ask why?
I've randomly got 2 that I wear about twice a year when a manager makes a fuss about looking smart for a customer (who inevitably turns up in jeans and / or a jumper making us look like overdressed wallys).
One is Harris Tweed from a charity shop and will last another century or two and the other is YSL bought over 20 years ago when jacket wearing at work was needed more. Very soft fabric and a bit less fusty and 'tweedy' looking.
Authenticity = Harris tweed.
Given your comments about body shape, bespoke is the answer.
Teacher, rural solicitor, estate manager or peaky blinder?
Teacher, rural solicitor, estate manager or peaky blinder?
Extra in the new ‘All Creatures Great and Small’?
I'm in a similar position and have been hankering after one to wear to work with random cheap suit pants, instead of a full suit.
The only one I've tried on that I liked was a Harris Tweed navy blue, they're £225 or so at boundary mill,Colne if you're up this way
+1 for eBay, I found my Harris tweed Ralph Lauren jacket on there for an unbelievably cheap price.. There is a lot of naff stuff to wade through but there are some gems
Keep an eye on tkmaxx I got s couple of nice ones, always always get admiring comments when worn
I’m in a similar position and have been hankering after one to wear to work with random cheap suit pants, instead of a full suit.
Yellow or Mustard pants?
Portillo pink surely
Charity shops - all "vintage" or different ages, all made of much thicker fabric than generally available today, all will outlast modern disposable production, all for the price of a bicycle tyre.
https://www.dobell.co.uk/mens/our-brands/harris-tweed/
Worth signing up to their news letter as they have some very good offers at times.
all for the price of a bicycle tyre.
Bloody hell didn’t realise charity shops were so expensive.
Portillo pink surely
Ah! For that travelling man look.
Would it be impertinent to ask why?
Not at all
Teacher, rural solicitor, estate manager or peaky blinder?
Bingo! Sadly not rich enough for it to be a solicitor, a bit too vegan to be an estate manager and not hard enough to be a peaky blinder! New job in an independent school in the far north of Scotland (3 seconds on google will have it identified - there is only one). That's after 14 years in a school with no uniform for the kids or dress code for the staff. Jacket and tie here is not just the culture but in the staff handbook and T&Cs.It's a culture shock! But otherwise a good fit jobwise.
For the first month I've got by with a couple of jackets that are just about smart enough but are a bit lightweight/fine/summer to handle the forthcoming winter and the hard yards of day in day out wear. Tweed jacket feels like a good cultural fit but also warm & tough enough. Waistcoat for extra warmth but also as a talk-with-your-hands type less constrictive in the classroom.
Thanks for your suggestions so far - some leads to google later on. Yes, 2nd hand/'vintage' does appeal IF something that fits my stupid body can be chanced upon. I guess you could always buy a virtual tent and get it altered to fit...
https://www.dvtownend.com/mens-jackets.asp?CSCID=27
What about a waxed cotton jacket. Can be smart if you are also wearing a tie.
Teacher ay? You’ll need the leather elbow patches too then sir. For that you’ll need the Flasheart collection.
Good luck in post. Interesting school.
Roderick Charles it is then to complete the PSW look.
Actually have a look at Gant (especially on sales).
Charity shop, I got a 1970’s looking one originally from a posh dept store, leather elbows the lot.
£15 I think
New job in an independent school in the far north of Scotland (3 seconds on google will have it identified – there is only one)
Say hello to Andy, head of Geography for me.
+1 for charity shops. Think long term rather than instant gratification - just pop in for a quick look each time you pass, (I realise that in current circumstances this advice is rubbish).
I got a Harris Tweed jacket for a few quid. I had the lining restitched for about a tenner, and I've had to accept the jacked will outlast me, and will no doubt return to a charity shop.
My cousin lives not far from you over Forres way. He is easily spotted as a wee bit odd looking and accompanied by a pair of wolf hounds. He collects the brushed out hair from them and has them spun and woven then made into clothing.
Not a suggestion for you as the time frame would be too long.
Have a look at Orvis they do full tweed sold as separates.
Longer term you might be able to pick up some good items from likes of John Lewis in their sales.
Hume as has been said. Mines is lovely.
Couple of shooting supplies places do nice ones. Parrot for one.
As I think has been said, Magee are a very good brand, and there can be some decent bargains on eBay, and to a lesser extent round here, the charity shops. Like Easily suggested, regular visits (or saved search alerts) seems to yield decent results.
If you've not got objections to pre-owned stuff, then (not very stealthy ad) I've got some (szs 50/48/46) I need to move on as I've been lucky enough to lose some weight - by all means ignore though if not of any interest:)
I got a Harris Tweed jacket for £20 in Oxfam 3 hours before my wedding last year.
Probably not helping but I am still really pleased with that and the look on the woman at the tills face when I told her what I was using it for and when.
Super last minute with a little bit of luck.