What are the Different Tweed Fabric Patterns?
Tweeds are an icon of traditional Irish and British country clothing, coming in a variety of patterns. We thought it might be of help to give you a brief description of each along with an image of a few of the main Tweeds used today.
Barleycorn Tweeds
These have a prominent flecked pattern, giving it a richly coarse appearance. The complex colours merge into a single shade from a distance.
Checked Tweeds
A pattern of horizontal and vertical lines that create small squares. The characteristic small check may also be enhanced by a larger overcheck in a third colour.
Estate Tweeds
A traditional herringbone pattern overlaid with a basic check. Colours tones chosen to match the estate’s local landscape and vegetation, for camouflage.
Herringbone Tweed
A herringbone pattern consists of columns of slanted parallel lines. The direction of the slant alternates column by column to create ‘v’ shapes.
Houndstooth Tweed
A type of large broken checked pattern using pointed shapes instead of squares. Said to resemble the jagged back teeth of a dog.
Overcheck Tweed
Overchecked Tweeds are a traditional twill with a large checked design overlaid in a contrasting colour.
Plaid Tweed
Plaid-style tweeds feature a pattern of horizontal and vertical lines, not unlike a tartan.
Tartan Tweed
Any tartan can also be woven in tweed fabric. The characteristic uneven texture of Tweed in particular wonderfully evokes authentic old tartans.