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Let’s hear it for herringbone!

— by Alyson Walsh

Photos: Neil Mackenzie Matthews

Love me a bit of herringbone. The fabric not the fish skeleton – I’m vegetarian. Though obviously the herringbone name reflects the zig-zag design of this traditional, woven wool fabric and its the resemblance to the skeletal structure of the kipper. The Tweed-y Spring Jacket will always be one of my wardrobe grab-and-gos. And I do wear this Jigsaw jacket, in beautiful black and white, Italian fabric, a lot (its from a couple of seasons ago but still available in limited sizes HERE). Contrasting different fabrics, denim, marl knits and a coarse herringbone tweed is the way to add visual interest to an outfit. Strikingly textured clothing is pleasing both to wear and to look at.

 

 

Herringbone is a twill weave, usually a two colour- design and the zig-zag effect is created by reversing the weave at regular intervals. Popular since the 19th century, herringbone tweed makes outerwear and tailoring less er, run of the mill. Earlier this year in Milan, The Sartorialist posted the photo below on Instagram. Herringbone, stripes and Adidas Sambas. We like.

 

Photo: The Sartorialist

 

Note how lovely the graphic black and white zig-zag design goes with the pebbled wall. I often play around with different monochrome patterns, pairing my tweed with stripes or marl fabrics and it looks great with a chunky, ribbed knit…

 

Photo: Claire Pepper

 

Heritage fabrics never go out of style, so get your herringbone while you can.

For jackets, try the Anine Bing fishbone blazer (available HERE and HERE), Hush, Hobbs and Whistles (HERE and HERE and more sizes HERE); and for coats try Aligne, Maje (available HERE and HERE)   M&S and Whistles. And if you’re looking for vintage, I know that Catherine at Pattons Designs as some beautiful wool coats.

Zig-a-zag, ah.

 

 

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STYLE NOTES

First TNMA photo: herringbone jacket, Jigsaw. Grey marl jumper very old APC (similar HERE). White jeans, vintage Levi’s 501s. Chunky socks from Arket. Leather, Lady Yearling boots from a previous partnership with R.M. Williams 

 

Second TNMA photo: The herringbone coat was a gift from Jigsaw ( a couple of seasons ago). Heirloom funnel neck jumper on loan from Navygrey (still available in different colourways HERE).

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Love me a bit of herringbone. The fabric not the fish skeleton – I’m vegetarian.