Just in time for Christmas, Aurora is thrilled to present a selection of our favourite 100% wool Harris Tweed® jackets from Bucktrout. These gorgeous pieces for him and her will take you from the office to the countryside in style and cosy comfort. Each jacket is made using traditionally influenced, yet modern, cuts that flatter all figures, and will provide a lifetime’s of wearing enjoyment.
Weaving the story of tweed
Did you know that Harris Tweed® is the only fabric in the world governed by its own Act of Parliament? Woven exclusively in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides using centuries old methods, the history of tweed is deeply intertwined with the country's cultural and natural heritage.
For hundreds of years, the islanders of Lewis, Harris, the Uists and Barra have hand woven tweed using 100% pure sheep’s wool that has been dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides, calling it Clo Mhor in the Gaelic, meaning ‘the big cloth’.
Traditionally, as seen in Outlander, women came together to “waulk” the tweed, which involved soaking the woven fabric in a mixture of water and urine to set the dyes, and then, to make it softer and thicker, they pounded it rhythmically in a circle on top of a table, singing sprightly songs that set the pace and lightened their heavy work. Thankfully, urine is no longer used in tweed production, but otherwise, today’s islanders still use traditional methods passed down through their ancestors.
The term "tweed" is believed to have derived from the River Tweed, which flows through the Scottish borders. The fabric’s warm, durable quality made it ideal for working outdoors in the unpredictable Scottish climate, so the custom started with farmers and others who worked outdoors. Lady Catherine Murray, Countess of Dunmore, is credited for bringing Harris Tweed® to the world. In 1846, Lady Dunmore had the Murray tartan copied by Harris weavers in tweed. This proved so successful that she began marketing the product to her friends, and set about improving the process of production in a way that preserved its roots.
Lady Dunmore’s innovations allowed for more islanders to become employed weavers, and also led to variation in patterns and colours, making tweed popular among the gentry and the rising middle class. The fabric became associated with country pursuits, such as hunting and fishing. The iconic herringbone and tartan patterns reflected Scotland's rich textile traditions and regional identities, each design telling a story about its specific locale.
The Harris Tweed® Authority was created by an Act of Parliament in 1993 as the fabric’s popularity flourished into the 20th century. Fashion houses began to adopt the fabric for stylish urban wear and renowned designers like Sir Hardy Amies and Chanel showcased tweed in their collections, elevating its status from rural attire to high fashion. There is also a renewed appreciation for tweed's sustainability, as it is durable and biodegradable, as well as being inherently linked to Scotland's identity and natural landscape.
This once humble cloth is now deservedly a wardrobe staple for both discerning fashionistas and traditionalists across the globe, and we are proud to add the Bucktrout collection to our offerings, each garment featuring a label that authenticates the cloth as genuine Harris Tweed®.
Browse the collection and find the perfect wardrobe staple for any taste. A gift of official Harris Tweed® 100% wool will warm up their Christmas, and with our free gift-wrap and world wide shipping, we help make holiday shopping easy.
