Harris Tweed

[Mark Seitelman]

Harris Tweed is not suitable for trousers because

a) it would not hold a crease;

b) the pants would wear-out quickly; and

c) the tweed may so itchy that you would have to have the pants fully lined with a heavy bemberg, such as the one used for overcoats.

There are many tweeds with a tighter weave that are fine for trousers. E.g., the tweeds of John Hardy.

Good luck.

[Gruto]

If you would like trousers from a loose weave, Edward Sexton has shown how to hold the crease machining it, an old military trick, he says :
http://vimeo.com/27397162

[hectorm]

Points a, b, and c in Mark´s piece of advice are conclusive. Notwithstanding I have found a couple of websites still offering MTM trousers in Harris Tweed. Some of the patterns look woven pretty tightly. In case someone would like to take the risk, here is one supplier:

http://www.harristweedshop.com/

[Sir Royston]

Well, with the weather getting (much) cooler here in central England Im pleased that I can once again get the tweeds out.. I love Harris tweed suits and jackets and if Im being honest.. much prefer this time of year!!
They go so will with a Doeskin waistcoat..

[Rowly]

Re the Warmth of waistcoats...I am considering having a few odd waistcoats made for warmth with my tweed jackets. Given that I don't want something too bulky for Rus in Urbe wear, I have considered a 14 oz worsted, perhaps a woollen tattersall, or a woollen flannel, or a Doeskin? Can anyone advise on what will give the most heat, while still looking urbane?
Thanks..

[Sir Royston]

I love the doeskin.. for the warmth, the smartness of them.. but also as they add a smart contrast to the suit/attire. I have Gurteen waistcoats from Fogey Unlimited.. My favourite being the tattersall..

[Rowly]

Thanks !
Funnily enough I have some of these already, and like them a lot. I did think Doeskin was some other finish , more like a soft leather feel.... but I have learned something today.
From the Doctor in another thread..

Could be a Doeskin, which is a fine woollen, warp-face cloth usually of Merino wool, milled, raised and dress-face finished.

[cathach]

I duly had a suit made up and actually the trousers were not too rough on the skin so that was fine. What surprised me was that the trousers were not particularly hard wearing, particularly where cloth rubbed inside the legs.

As a matter of interest how long had you the Harris trousers? In general any cloth from woollen-spun yarn will not last like a worsted due to the properties of each type of yarn. The old thornproof from Magee used to wear very well, but stuff like that wouldn't suit anyone with sensitive skin, you'd have to have it lined.

With any suit of course two trousers or even three is probably best to get long term wear.