Introducing retweed by Harry Bakewell

It’s common knowledge that there is a difference between fashion and style. Fashion is something that people are interested in right now but may not be interested in when we skip forward in time. It might be 10 years before a fashion dies out, it might only be a matter of weeks or months but nevertheless fashion is to put it bluntly, a fad. Style, on the other hand, is something that will always be popular. A good example of this is the Mini Cooper and another good example is a well-tailored Harris tweed jacket. People will want something stylish for the rest of time.

I’m Harry Bakewell, head of graphics, photography and social media at retweed. I’m part of a three man team who have recently started a website selling vintage tweed jackets at affordable prices. We are all students and one Saturday afternoon, while socialising, we got onto the topic of vintage clothing. We all liked the tweed jackets, brogues and other vintage clothing because it could be worn by people of all ages and would always be stylish. The problem for us was that it was so expensive to buy. Any high street retailer sells replicas for £60-£80 and many of the vintage shops or those selling the originals were charging £40-£60 for a Harris tweed jacket which for a student isn’t affordable.  We didn’t think any more of the subject and forgot about it. Well, the rest of us had forgotten about it, Nathan Marshall & Carl Willimott hadn’t though. They had both thought about it significantly after our conversation and decided that they could source some vintage clothing and then sell it to me and our friends, who couldn’t afford the shops prices. This went well and the whole of our friend group ended up wearing tweed jackets to almost every occasion. After the success of this venture they did some research into how popular this clothing was on a countrywide scale and the results were unanimous. People liked vintage.

I was then added to the team to take photos and do any design work, I then offered to do the social media side of the business. Between us, we had a good skill set to go out and make a business to help get vintage clothing out to the people who loved it but just couldn’t afford it. retweed was born.

Our mission is to find out what vintage clothing people want, source this clothing and then sell it to them for a price that is affordable. So if you are reading this and there is something missing from your wardrobe then let us know and we will try to help.

Check out our website www.retweed.co.uk and let us know what you think. We are due to be adding more Harris tweed, Levi jeans, Levi’s womens shorts, Barbour jackets and more as soon as possible so follow us @retweed_cnk to get the latest updates. Thanks for reading.

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How to Wear the Vintage Tweed Trend by Bonnie Carney

Tweed has been since in the fashion world since the 1920s, mainly in the form of wealthy gentlemen’s suits. Since then, it has evolved into a trend that is still one of the hottest looks today! If you want to get involved with the vintage tweed trend then here are some tips on how to pull the look off.

Tweed Blazers 

Tweed blazers are one of the hottest ways to stay warm this winter!This quintessential British look works for both men and women, so whoever you are it should be easy to pull off. Men should go for a more fitted blazer look, which can then be paired with coloured trousers (mustard looks good with tweed) or even a pair of jeans. Women can wear a tweed blazer however they want, whether they opt for a fitted size or a boyfriend style bigger size. If you are going for a larger, baggier size then it is recommended that you roll the sleeves up to just above your wrist. This will ensure that the larger arms don’t overwhelm you or look silly! Team your blazer up with a pair of tight jeans and some brown riding style boots. Very British!

 

Tweed Coats

Coats are another item of clothing which really shows of vintage tweed to its best. Women prefer tweed coats to blazers in most cases, as they are warmer and easier to match with any type of outfit. Due to vintage tweed having been seen in the 20s, 50s, 60s and 70s there are many different styles of coat or jacket that will feature this posh pattern. A double breasted 60s overcoat will look great on those who are pear or apple shaped. For those who want a bit of definition, such as rectangular or triangle shapes, then a shorter military jacket in tweed will do just that!

 

Other ways to wear Vintage Tweed

If you are not keen on wrapping up in vintage tweed then there are other ways to bring it into your life too. You will find that many high street stores will do a version of tweed-style work clothes. This could be a tweed patterned trouser suit, or even a tweed dress. This is a great office look and will turn your co-workers green with envy. For those who believe less is more, how about some tweed accessories? A handbag can look great in tweed and will ensure you work the look without being covered head to toe. The best vintage tweed will come in thick wool, although you can find cotton patterned fabric too.

Vintage tweed is an incredible look that everyone should get involved with this year! Remember, less is more in most cases. This means do not buy a tweed trouser suit to go with your tweed handbag and tweed coat, it will look all wrong! However you decide to wear the vintage tweed trend, be safe in the knowledge that everyone is envious of your quintessentially British look.

Bonnie Carney is a fashion writer and vintage fashionista, she currently writes for www.myvinatge.co.uk and when not working can often be found trawling through vintage shops looking for another beautiful item to add to her collection.

 

 

 

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• Harris tweed returns to global boutiques after islands’ renaissance (guardian.co.uk)
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Blowing in the Wind.

This stunning range of Jewellery is made with real leaves.  Each leaf is hand-picked and checked for imperfections, once chosen the leaf is fitted with an electrical contact point and hand painted with a copper solution. When it has dried the leaf is placed in an electrolytic solution that has  microscopic particle of 24K gold (nickel free). The electrical contact attracts the gold particles causing a metal build up on the leaf. This clever process preserves all the delicate and intricate details.  The pendants are surprisingly sturdy considering how delicate they look.  Each leaf is a unique piece of art.

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Available to buy at www.TweedVixen.co.uk

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Ridley & Dowse Jewelley…

I have a huge love for nature inspired jewellery. Few do it better than Ridley & Dowse aka Vivienne Ridley and Susannah Dowse.  The creative duo combines forces to make beautiful pieces that are also ethical.

“We are designers committed to producing beautiful things at as little cost to human rights and the environment as possible. We believe that the beauty in an object comes in part from how it is made and by whom.

With this in mind we will never send our designs to a faceless factory in a far flung place where we can’t be sure someone isn’t being exploited for our benefit. We will use local businesses with people we know are fairly paid for their work. We won’t be racking up thousands of air miles to get our products to you.

We also try and make our products in the most efficient way we can find to minimise waste, and will source the most responsible materials we can.

If we have a product idea and can’t find a way of realising it in a responsible way, we just won’t make it.” Ridley & Dowse.

They were an obvious choice when I chose to open the TweedVixen Boutique and I was delighted when they agreed to be a part of the tweedvixen project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a limited time only all Ridley & Dowse Jewellery in the Boutique is on offer.  Please visit  www.tweedvixen.co.uk and grab yourself a beautiful ethical bargain!

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Ness Fashion Photoshoot in the Sun

I love this fresh brand, Ness infuse feminine tweed with contemporary casuals.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Ness Fashion Photoshoot in the Sun, posted with vodpod

You don’t have to be Cheryl Cole to look fierce in a tweed hat.

Cheryl Cole wore this cute Eugenia Kim Keiko checked tweed hat and since then ladies have started to go tweed hat crazy.  It is available from Fashion Beans priced £61.30.

I think that a great tweed hat is a vital component to this seasons wardrobe for women of all generations.  I love this Trilby available for £20 from Asos.

ASOS | ASOS Tweed Trilby at ASOS.

Bargain alert @ sheepsheep

Amazing bargain! Genuine 100% Harris tweed flat cap for £14.95. Check it out visit http://www.sheepsheep.co.uk.

You can link through to the sheepsheep site from the blogroll section lower down on the right hand panel.

A very cute tweed style dress for £30.

Ok so this dress is 65% polyester and 35% viscose so it is not really tweed but hey what do expect for £30.  I think it is pretty in shape and colour.

Closet purple tweed peplum dress – View All – New In – Dorothy Perkins.

Joules – show us your country side!

I have mentioned in previous posts that I think Joules are great for achieving the country girl look.  The garments are designed in the UK and then often made in China.  This does mean that the prices are a lot more accessible to all.  Check out these videos of some of their latest collection.

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Tweed and Lace

A massive look for this season is tweed and lace combined into single items.  This Dolce and Gabbana skirt is gorgeous and hot…If you do not have a spare £520, here are some ideas to get the look for less…

The skirt is from Jane Norman and is available from their website for an amazing £14, was £28.  These will go fast so snap one up.  The dress  is  really cute and available from Monsoon £65. They call it a Fusion Rosetta tweed dress

alternatively add a touch of tweed and lace to any outfit with a handcrafted corsage.  Only £7.50!!!

Tweed and lace corsage : MISI – Buy and Sell Handmade Gifts | Handmade Jewellery | Handmade Wedding Gifts | Christmas Gifts.