Curating a Capsule Wardrobe with Signature Tweed Pieces
The modern fashion industry can be seen to cause a great deal of damage to the planet, with cheap fabrics, fleeting trends and terrible implications for workers in the supply chain. Slow fashion is the only credible alternative, moving towards fabrics that are sustainably produced and will last a lifetime if cared for correctly.
At Weavers of Ireland, we are big fans of the capsule wardrobe, and we believe that making the most of sustainable pieces is the way forward. Tweed and woollen garments are durable, practical options that are traditionally produced in Ireland, and they are excellent choices for a capsule wardrobe that is versatile and made to last. We are proud to be a part of the process of maintaining these essential skills for future generations, blending heritage and style for the perfect combination of signature garments.
What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is a collection of good-quality pieces of clothing that can be combined in a variety of ways to create a range of styles and looks for different seasons and occasions. The overall aim is to be intentional about the items you are wearing, selecting good-quality, sustainable items that can be put together to create outfits that reflect your ethos and personal preferences.
When you are curating a capsule wardrobe, practicality is a big consideration, and you have the opportunity to create a timeless image that really becomes a part of your lifestyle. In Ireland, where the weather is unpredictable, and there are many outdoor activities to enjoy, a capsule wardrobe is a great way to be prepared for everything, and Irish tweed is an excellent addition to your wardrobe.
Tweed: A Great Choice for All Seasons
Irish tweed is not just fabric; it’s a part of Irish history that is entwined with the survival of rural communities, and weaving is a key chapter in Ireland’s development. Weaving has been a means of earning a living for many centuries, and since tweed was invented in the 1800s, it has been a very popular choice for people all over the world. Tweed garments are ideal for outdoor pursuits, with natural waterproof and protective qualities, and can be worn every day in a range of gorgeous styles to suit every occasion.
Tweed is timeless, so your capsule wardrobe can move with the seasons, and you’ll be prepared to outlast every catwalk trend. Tweed is popular with major designers, and good quality items are designed to become family heirlooms. The wool fibres used to make wool tweed are naturally elastic and resilient, so well-cut tweed clothing holds its shape well and can also help to regulate the temperature since it is a breathable, insulating, natural fibre. Buying tweed garments allows you to support grassroots craftsmanship in Ireland, maintaining traditions and skills that might otherwise be lost to the passing of time.
Putting Together Your Capsule Wardrobe:
When you are putting together a capsule wardrobe, you’ll want to bear in mind the way that your statement pieces will work together and the sense of personal style you want to develop. The idea of a capsule wardrobe is that most of your pieces can be combined to provide you with plenty of variety, but this doesn’t have to be boring.
You can start by thinking about the colours that work best for you, and choose a colour palette to build your clothing collection around. Irish tweed can be dyed in a range of beautiful colours, most of which are inspired by the Irish landscape, and you will find combinations that suit your preferences and complement other items you own. For instance, earthy, natural tones such as greens, browns and oatmeals are great for statement pieces that can work with other pieces in similar shades or with more striking block colours or patterns. If you stick to a selection of similar colours, or shades of the same colour, you’ll have a great collection of clothing that fits together seamlessly to create outfits you love.
Try combinations of items you like, such as a charcoal base colour with accents of green and orange in your accessories. The natural colours complement each other well, and you can ensure that your scarf and hat work well with every sweater and overcoat, so you’ll always look and feel fantastic!
Tweed Outer Layers
When you’re designing your capsule wardrobe, you’ll need to invest in a few statement pieces that can complement the rest of your clothes, and your outer layers are a great place to start. Tweed coats and jackets are warm, practical and versatile, and you can choose a style that can be worn for work as well as for going out on the town.
A good quality tweed coat will look great with your Aran sweater and jeans, worn with tailored trousers or even over a dress for a night out, and the most important considerations are the structure and colour. Well-made items that will work for all seasons are invaluable, and classic, neutral Irish tweeds are popular with people who want the perfect outerwear for every season.
The Pamela Tweed Coat is the perfect example of a multi-purpose, high-quality tweed coat, in classic 3/4 length style that can be worn for any occasion. We love the moleskin trim on pockets and collar, and the internal heart-shaped pocket, and the flattering design is available in several stunning colours such as Primary Green, Winning Green, Rose Herringbone Check and Classic Magee Donegal Tweed. The quality of this gorgeous coat is undeniable, and it’s made from 100% wool tweed with sustainable and recyclable fabrics and trims.
If you’re looking for a shorter style, a tweed jacket or blazer is a great option in a capsule wardrobe. You can wear one of these over a skirt and sweater or with jeans and boots for a more casual look, and we have a range of beautiful designs to choose from. The Donna Tweed Blazer is a stylish design, and the colour combinations are perfect with neutral cords, denim and knitwear. This tailored blazer is made from 100% Shetland wool and feels luxurious and comfortable, with a short pile faux fur touch lining, and a statement collar which can be worn high or classic style.
Tweed Hats
When you’re creating a capsule wardrobe, accessories are your friend, and this is a great way to vary your look and add a touch of personality to your style. Tweed hats have been a popular choice of accessory for many years, and recent shows like Peaky Blinders have put the Irish cap at the forefront of modern fashion, with several contemporary designs that are inspired by Tommy Shelby and his brothers and their 1930s style.
There are many different styles of cap made from tweed in Ireland, and these include the original flat cap and more recent derivations such as the Newsboy hat and the Driving cap. Flat caps became a staple in the wardrobe of Irish men and boys in 1571, when a law was introduced to boost the local wool industry. Under this law, men and boys over the age of seven needed to wear caps on Sunday and holidays, and the flat cap was the choice of working-class men and boys for centuries to follow. In the late 1800s, the upper classes began to adopt tweed hats and jackets as a practical choice for outdoor pursuits such as walking and shooting, and the tweed cap became a timeless signature piece.
The flat cap travelled all over the world on the heads of immigrants and soldiers, and the many variations grew in popularity. The Newsboy cap, for instance, was made famous by the young newspaper sellers in New York in the 1920s and 1930s, and this is a style that is much loved all over the world today, especially by women. We love the Ladies Tweed Newsboy Hat, which comes in a variety of striking colour combinations, such as Blackwatch, and is decorated with a leather rosette detail. It’s made from 100% wool tweed and brings a touch of glamour to any outfit, looking especially fantastic with a tweed jacket and mini skirt or tweed dress.
The flat cap has become a unisex style over the years, and many big names in the music and film industries choose the classic design for their casual outfits. The Trinity Flat Cap is a traditional style flat cap, made from 100% wool tweed and handwoven in the Mucros Weavers Studio in the Killarney National Park. It is a smart, plain design that looks great with workwear or casual clothing, and the luxurious quilted lining finishes it off to perfection.
Tweed Waistcoat
A waistcoat is an innovative addition to a capsule wardrobe, because it can be worn in so many different ways and can completely change up the look of your outfit. For instance, you can wear a tweed waistcoat with a casual pair of jeans and a t-shirt, or you can style it up with a tweed suit for a more formal style. Waistcoats can be worn over shirts, t-shirts or by themselves as a high fashion look, and a waistcoat can become a statement piece in your ensemble.
The Heidi Tweed Waistcoat is a beautifully made item, and you can choose colour options from deep green, light tan and saffron cobalt blue, depending on your capsule wardrobe base colours. This gorgeous design looks like it’s come straight off the catwalk, beautifully cut and finished with luxurious lining to give you the fit you want. This is a great style to combine with a long tweed coat, and you can add a tweed cap for a sophisticated look.
Tweed Trousers or Culottes
Tweed trousers are a great staple for a capsule wardrobe, enabling you to create an array of stylish outfits that ooze elegance and sophistication. Getting the colour right is crucial because you want to be able to pair your tweed trousers with as many different tops as possible, and you can experiment with patterned tweed if you have a variety of plain tops to combine them with.
The Enya Tweed Culottes are a truly special addition to your collection, ensuring that you’ll turn heads for all the right reasons. These are perfect with a plain white tee, or can be dressed up with a collared shirt and jacket to make a big impression at work or a formal occasion. Colour choices include classic Green Country Check, Earth Check and the unique Denim Herringbone, and we know you’ll love the elegant, high-waisted, structured style.
Tweed Accessories
We’ve already covered hats, but don’t forget that you can embellish your look with tweed scarves and wraps, as well as gorgeous tweed handbags. Adaptability throughout the year is crucial, and being able to wear your accessories in different ways can help to make this possible. A wrap or poncho, for instance, can protect you from the elements in the colder seasons and help you to move from work to a casual evening out with ease in the summer months.
Our exquisite tweed handbags are a fabulous choice for practicality and style, and investing in a quality handbag is another way to make the most of timeless fashion that will last you a lifetime.
Find Essentials for Your Capsule Wardrobe at Weavers of Ireland
At Weavers of Ireland, we are fans of the slow fashion movement, and our collection includes some beautiful statement pieces for your capsule wardrobe. We have an excellent variety of tweed coats, hats and clothing made from 100% wool tweed, and these are designed to look and feel great for casual and formal wear.
We also have a stunning selection of classic Aran sweaters, cardigans, scarves and wraps, and we only work with the finest artisan makers and producers. We are passionate about preserving the traditional craftsmanship at the heart of Ireland’s heritage, and our range is designed to protect these skills for future generations to enjoy.
