Q. I have fallen in love with a fitted tweed jacket that I spotted hanging on the rails at a|wear but I’m not exactly sure what to team it with. How can I wear it without looking like a frump?
A. Forget the days when tweed was seen as an old-fashioned stuffy fabric sported by well-to-do English country folk engaging in a spot of quail hunting. With super-hip stars like Kate Moss and Alexa Chung spearheading a tweed revolution, this elegant and romantic 1940s-inspired look is now the mark of true fashionista. But the traditional fabric has been given a contemporary edge for the coming months thanks to designers such as Chanel and Prada.
Tweed has also become more popular because of the 'Mad Men,' 1950s classic-style dressing. Women also want to buy clothes they can wear for a long time, and tweed is such a classic look it will be in year after year. But how do you make sure you look trendy rather than twee in the nation's favourite winter fabric?
Remember, the key thing to wearing tweed is to make it sexy. To avoid looking like the lady of the manor, mix and match tweed with other, lighter fabrics. Wear tweed with satin or chiffon or something that is smooth. A tweed jacket will look great with a pair of skinny jeans, knee boots and a silky camisole top – a great combination because it mixes the masculine and the feminine. Fun accessories include handbags, shoes or hats and they are inexpensive ways to test the waters.
But remember: leave the Barbour jacket and wellies at home.
How to wear tweed
Tweed looks best in small doses, such as a close-fitting jacket, a pair of cute pumps or a bag.
Don't wear your tweed head-to-toe - like with a matching skirt. Instead, pair with denim, a flirty skirt or a bright pair of cords.
Splash in plenty of color. Tweed carries lots of hues in its weave, so pick an accent color and go with it as a top, scarf or accessory.
Play with other textures to complement and soften the tweed. With a tweed jacket, pair a silky camisole. With tweed pumps, pair a gossamer skirt.
