What is Harris Tweed?

Not every tailor loves this fabric, as it's considerably harder to work with than a soft merino wool. Harris Tweed defies wind and weather, and while others are already reaching for a coat, the wearer of Harris Tweed merely reaches for a scarf. Tweed fabrics often last up to three lifetimes.

Close-up of the sleeve of a multicoloured check tweed jacket with three buttons — John Crocket

Weaver at an old loom in a room with a stone wall and a lantern — John Crocket

A special feature of Harris Tweed is that the wool is dyed before the yarn is twisted. This allows for particularly complex colours, which are then refined with subtle yet distinctive patterns. In addition to the durability of the colourful fabrics, Harris Tweed also places great emphasis on warmth and breathability. At John Crocket, Harris Tweed is used above all in our tweed jackets and waistcoats as well as our tweed caps.

Hand holding a bundle of grey yarn threads with red and blue stripes at a loom — John Crocket

Rust-red tweed with the stamped Harris Tweed trade mark, orb and lettering — John Crocket

Black and white photograph of a barren hilly landscape with lakes and rocks — John Crocket

The Harris Tweed Story

Harris Tweed comes exclusively from the Outer Hebrides: Harris, Lewis, Uist, and Barra. In 1909, the Harris Tweed Association was founded, the predecessor of today's Harris Tweed Authority; its trademark is the famous imperial orb with the Maltese cross. To this day, Harris Tweed is the only fabric protected by law (an Act of Parliament). The law stipulates that the tweed must be made from 100% virgin wool.

Historic black and white photograph: warehouse with numbered wooden shelves full of yarn and a worker — John Crocket

The tweed must be dyed and spun on the islands and woven in the residents' homes on hand-operated looms, in order to then receive the Harris Tweed Authority seal by hand. Only then can it leave the islands by ferry, which can sometimes be delayed by one or two weeks due to the frequent storms. The Harris Tweed can then be made into tweed suits, tweed jackets, and tweed waistcoats.