Double Breasted tweed

By actual count I have more than my share of tweed jackets in my closets. Irish tweed, Manx tweed, Harris tweed, and the odd mutt thrown in for good measure. Not a double breasted in the mix. Rarer than hens teeth, Ben Silver is showing 2 this season.

Nice tweed, but to my eye something appears off. Perhaps it's the juxtaposition of the casual tweed and the more formal peaked lapels.

I'm all over wearing the unexpected, and applaud the man who can wear this, but if this is such a great idea why don't we see it more often? Makes a better suit coat than odd jacket, don't ya think? Just saying.

Toad

The first of two is home.

In all the excitement of the past several days I failed to mention that I picked up one of the two jackets I was having made. Naturally, the one I wanted most to be ready in time for Thanksgiving did not make it in time, as it turns out neither did I , so nothing lost. Gratefully, the rust herringbone is completed.

I'm still a bit put off by the sleeve length, but that will be corrected next week.

It feels and moves superbly, and already has become one of my favorite jackets.

Thanks you Kaz, the tailor.

Toad

Forward Fitting

This is a photo from this afternoon's forward fitting of the tweed and tartan jackets.

It called a forward fitting because all the pieces are tried on before the jacket is assembled, and final cuttings (hem, vents, pockets, buttonholes, etc) take place. Its a pretty unattractive picture at this point, but in two weeks it will be completed.

Sport coat Cloth Update

The 16 ounce Blackwatch Modern Tartan cloth arrived today from the Tweed Store. I have an appointment with our tailor Monday, who will convert it into a one button, single breasted sport coat with side vents, flap and ticket pockets. It should be ready in 3 to 4 weeks.

Additionally, the second choice tweed fabric arrived from British Fabric yesterday. I will have this made into a near identical jacket immediately after the tartan is ready. Ideally, I wanted this one first, as the colors are better for fall, but I wanted to make absolutely certain to have the tartan by Thanksgiving.

If this is your first visit stop in and say hello on our comments page.

Have a great weekend, be safe and come back soon.

Toad

The Winner

Thank you to all who played, but a winner has been selected.

It has been fairly cool lately in Mayberry, so earlier in the week I designated today as the day I would move many of my fall jackets from storage to my closet. Naturally, today was unseasonably hot, humid and overcast all day. We are promised an inch or two of rain this evening and another 3 or 4 inches tomorrow as Ike screams 800 miles north.

While moving the jackets I came across 4 yards of the fabric shown above. It is not tweed, but lambswool. I remember being somewhat disappointed when it arrived last winter, as I felt that it was dangerously close to the fabric I used in last years jacket.


This is last years coat. It is a 13 oz. "Best of Both" tweed, which I acquired through the limited edition selection through The London Lounge. I absolutely adore this coat, and became very angry with myself towards the end of the season as it, through no fault of the tailor, did not fit as well as it did earlier. I have since rectified that, for now.

So weather permitting, and if the creek don't rise, Monday I'm off, probably to copy last years coat.

However, it may open up the possibility of round two.

In the back of my mind, I am mulling over, in honor of our Scottish family member, the idea of a double breasted black watch tartan jacket for the holidays. I'm having trouble sourcing the fabric, so if you have any strong ideas one way or the other about the jacket, or have a good source for wool tartan fabric please let me know.

Toad

Fall is coming

Today was a perfect Fall afternoon. Sunny, light breeze, high in the low 60's. For the first time this season fall was definitly in the air.

As the change of seasons always does it got me thinking its time for a new tweed jacket.

My first choice is this number.











100% Cheviot New Wool, but about 17 ounces. May be a bit heavy, but will wear like iron.



The second choice is: Same material, same weight, same concerns

























My third option is: Much lighter at about 12 onces. Seems kinda boring.





I welcome your comments and votes.

Toad