Introducing: The Gray Herringbone Tweed Sport Coat
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Brian Sacawa is the Founder of He Spoke Style and one of the original men’s style influencers.
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Among the many different flavors of tweed sport coats, a gray herringbone tweed sport coat is considered one of the most classic options. It really does have it all. The herringbone pattern adds a sense of depth, texture, and a touch of sophistication. The light gray color provides a high level of versatility and timeless appeal. It truly is a fall and winter wardrobe staple that can be dressed up or down, which is why we’re pleased to introduce this tweed sport coat as part of our new collection.
To give you a proper introduction to the garment, in this post we’ll take a quick look at the history of tweed, discuss why a gray herringbone tweed sport coat is essential for your fall and winter wardrobe, learn a bit about the fabric mill, cover some suggested garment styling, and take a look at one way to style it.
Let’s get started.
A Very Brief History Of Tweed
Tweed is a type of fabric that has a rich history dating back to the 18th century. It originated in the the tweed-producing region of the Scottish Highlands and was traditionally handwoven by local weavers working exclusively with local wool. The tweed fabric became popular primarily due to its incredible durability as well as its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, which made it an ideal fabric for outdoor activities like hunting and fishing.
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Tweed continued to rise in popularity and recognition during the 19th century as it was embraced by the British aristocracy. During that period, its influence and desirability began to extend even further beyond Scotland, becoming a fashionable fabric for both men’s and women’s clothing. Tweed’s distinctive patterns—such as herringbone—and often earthy colors became a hallmark of the fabric, representing a direct connection to the rugged and natural landscapes of the Scottish countryside.
Tweed continues to be popular today and is appreciated for it’s classic style, timeless appeal, and its association with craftsmanship, heritage, and tradition. In terms of menswear, it’s an excellent fabric for outerwear, suits, and our current focus, sport coats. Now that our brief history lesson is over, let’s talk about why a tweed sport coat—and particularly our gray herringbone tweed sport coat—is the perfect addition to your fall and winter wardrobe.
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Why A Tweed Sport Coat Is Perfect For Fall
Wearing a tweed sport coat in the fall and winter is a no-brainer. There’s something about it that just works. But I have to admit that I got to wondering—why is that so? As I thought about it, I came up with three specific reasons ranging from the practical to the aesthetic.
Let’s begin with the most obvious and practical reason a tweed sport coat is perfect for fall and that is the fabric’s durability and warmth. From a technical standpoint, the fabric has a tightly woven structure, which provides warmth and protection against colder temperatures. Additionally, tweed’s ability to resist wind and repel water makes it a great choice for unpredictable fall weather.
The second reason a tweed sport coat is perfect for fall is because of its classic style. It’s distinctive pattern, like the herringbone in the sport coat we’re focusing on here, is a wonderfully interesting mix of timeless sophistication and rugged charm. That, combined with tweed’s richly textured appearance, makes it incredibly versatile and easily dressed up with a pair of flannel trousers or dressed down with jeans.
Finally, there’s the nostalgia thing. Yes, tweed has strong association with heritage and tradition, which equals authenticity, but what I’m talking about is a different kind of nostalgia. For me personally, that’s my father when I was growing up. He always wore a suit or sport coat to work and typically when he wore a sport coat in the fall and winter, it was a tweed sport coat. If dressing well is ultimately about feeling good, I can’t think of a better way to feel good than when you’re wearing a garment with those types of memories.
The Fabric
The fabric we’ve chosen is a wonderful tweed from Huddersfield, a renowned textile mill located in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England. Huddersfield has a rich history dating back centuries and has become synonymous with quality, craftsmanship, and of course, exceptional fabrics. The mill is known for producing some of the finest tweeds and worsted fabrics in the world, and this particular tweed is no exception. At 500 grams, the fabric is durable and rugged yet still extremely supple and easy to wear.
Styling
I’ve chosen to style this sport coat in an extremely classic manner. Really, what else would you expect? So we’re talking two buttons, 3.5-inch notch lapel, double vent, patch pockets, and fully lined. I’m generally a fan of patch pockets on my sport coats because I tend to wear them in situations that are more relaxed and casually tailored. And I think they work perfectly with the lighter gray color here even when dressing it up.
However, I will say that if this was a navy blue tweed sport coat, I would likely opt for flap pockets as the darker color lends itself to a more formal appearance despite the fabric’s more rustic qualities.
In terms of outfit styling here, again, I’ve kept it pretty straight down the fairway with a simple, classic, and mildly collegiate look. Tweed definitely has a bit of a professorial vibe and there’s a certain sense of nostalgia there for me as well having done my undergraduate degree in New England.
The outfit’s foundation is a classic one-two preppy punch of a light blue OCBD and dark navy blue corduroy trousers. Both fabrics pair well with tweed and play into the fabric’s more relaxed characteristics. And to anchor the look, a casual pair of dark brown suede penny loafers. I don’t think there’s a better shoe for this one.
The Bottom Line
We truly believe that a gray herringbone tweed sport coat is an absolute wardrobe essential for the fall and winter months. It is a classically stylish and versatile garment that oozes nostalgic charm, while also being incredibly practical in terms of its durability and warmth. Check it out in the shop and order as I’ve styled here in this post or customize to your personal style preferences.
Thanks, as always for reading.
This Article is part of the Shop Drop Series.
Brian Sacawa
Brian Sacawa is the Founder of He Spoke Style and one of the original men’s style influencers. Since 2013, his goal has remained the same: to provide men the advice and inspiration they need to dress well, develop their personal style, and gain more confidence. Brian’s interest and passion for men’s style and luxury watches has led to his writing for The Robb Report, The Rake, and Sotheby’s and he has been quoted on menswear in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Today.com, Brides Magazine, and the Huffington Post. He lives in the woods north of Baltimore with his wife, Robin, kitties Nick and Nora, and German Shepherd/Collie mix Charlie.
Edited by Rachel Butler
Photography by Rob McIver
