The Gunclub

[alden]

It is the most classic of sporting coats imaginable in my view. When designed and made well the Gun Club check has pervasive levels of chic. It is a pattern often misunderstood, often made poorly with colors that do not work well. But when it is made right, you cannot do better. If a young man is setting out to make one good tweed coat, this is the choice. It isn't just for old men anymore!

Cheers


IMGP0224 by The London Lounge, on Flickr

[Melcombe]

It is a pattern often misunderstood, often made poorly with colors that do not work well. But when it is made right, you cannot do better.

It certainly offers variety - or the potential for it. In particular, I think it can cope well with a strong colour element (in the right combination). As you rightly say, it has often presented with some poor colour mixes. An element of contrast looks good in the mix : 'harmonious' blends of muted shades alone just turn to visual mush.

I think it has also been a victim of changing retail fashions. Notwithstanding what you could have obtained from W Bill, if you were looking for an off the peg tweed change coat in the UK in the 1970's or 80's you would have been presented with a choice of gun club or dog tooth, since these were presumably seen as the safe choices for large production runs. The late lamented Dunn & Co would have sold such garments by the barrow-load (this may of course have contributed to their financial demise...)

Around the mid 1980's herringbones with contrasting overchecks seemed to become more popular and now, I think, dominate in RTW tweeds.

That in itself could just be a very good reason to seek out a resplendent gunclub now!

If a young man is setting out to make one good tweed coat, this is the choice. It isn't just for old men anymore!

It certainly looks fine on the young blade in the picture, whoever he might be

[alden]

Thanks Melcombe. Though I must say I feel like a rusty Wilkinson headed for the bin.

Cheers