An eternally stylish fabric, tweed has the ability to elevate any outfit into chic territory. Popularised by Coco Chanel in the 1920s, tweed has remained a sophisticated style staple for almost a century. While trends flit in and out of fashion, tweed has endured; available in a multitude of weights, weaves, and colours, tweed can be worn all year round. However, its subdued elegance lends itself particularly well to winter dressing. Whether you opt for a stylish tweed minidress or use a tweed blazer to add a luxurious touch to a simple outfit of trousers and a turtleneck, tweed is the versatile style staple to try this cold season.
While Chanel is inarguably the most renowned purveyor of tweed, its covetable pieces quite often come with a price tag that necessitates a few months’ rent. Fortunately, the allure of tweed has caught on, with indie brands and high street stores alike creating tasteful tweed pieces. Without further ado, these are the tweed essentials we’re digging right now.
1. Maje Short Sleeve Tweed Jacket
The little sister to fellow French fashion brand Sandro, Maje puts a characteristically fun twist on the classic tweed two-piece. Here, the Maje Short Sleeve Tweed Jacket acts more like a top than a jacket, serving as the ideal piece to elevate even the most quotidan outfit of jeans and Mary Janes. That said, we’d recommend pairing them with the matching shorts for a decidedly youthful interpretation of the historically buttoned up outfit.
Price: $550AUD
Material: 57% cotton, 38% polyester, 3% acrylic, 2% polyamide (main); 42% cotton, 34% polyester, 13% acrylic, 5% wool, 3% viscose, 2% polyamide, 1% metalised fibres (fringing)
2. Gaala Paris Cecilia Tweed Dress
A mini dress is an easy way to incorporate tweed into your wardrobe (no styling cred necessary). The Gaala Paris Cecilia Tweed Dress adheres to traditional design codes, with its rounded shirt collar, quarter-length sleeves, and slim fit lending it a classic feel, while the faux gold button detailing on the front (with a back zipper closure) adds vintage charm while retaining a streamlined silhouette.
Price: €310 (approx. $533AUD)
Material: 50% wool, 50% polyester (main); 100% viscose (lining)
3. Mango Tweed Jacket
One for the sartorial classicists. A cream tweed construction, non-cropped length, and straight fit lend the Mango Tweed Jacket a traditional aesthetic, while the frayed edges, four patch pockets, and oversized gold buttons imbue it with a welcome hint of edge.
Price: $159.95AUD
Material: 50% cotton, 39% polyester, 9% wool, 2% viscose (main); 100% polyester (lining)
4. Sandro Short Checked Jacket
A versatile piece that plays equally as well with pleated trousers as it does with a Canadian tuxedo, the Sandro Short Checked Jacket is a cropped style in a versatile tan and brown houndstooth colourway. Style it up with a turtleneck skivvy, miniskirt, and knee-high boots or pare it back by teaming it with jeans and a fitted t-shirt.
Price: $612AUD
Material: 34% polyester, 30% acrylic, 17% wool, 17% cotton, 2% other fibres (main); 100% viscose (lining)
5. Alessandra Rich Sequin Tweed Jacket & Mini Skirt
A fresh take on the power suit, this sculptural set bucks convention by opting for a striking square neckline, body conscious fit, and mini length. Sequins scattered throughout the fabric catch the light and set a set a decidedly luxurious tone. Pair the jacket with the matching skirt, or style the pieces separately.
Price: $2910AUD (jacket); $910AUD (skirt)
Materials: 30% polyamide 23% viscose 20% cotton 14% polyester 9% acrylic 4% other fibres (main); 100% viscose (both)
6. Nana Jacqueline Marlee Top
Heritage tweed gets a contemporary makeover with this top by Los Angeles label Nana Jacqueline. The longline top is distinguished by its oversized shawl lapels that are cut to sit off the shoulder. They combine with the peplum cut to create interest while drawing the eye towards the cinched waist. Large scale crystal buttons add a jewellery-esque touch.
Price: $1098AUD
Materials: 92.4% polyester, 7.6% other fibres
7. Uniqlo Knitted Short Jacket
While not technically tweed, the Uniqlo Knitted Short Jacket emulates the characteristically preppy style of the fabric with a textured knit. The collarless design and buttons that are colour-matched to the placket recall the lady jackets of yesteryear, resulting in a garment with the aesthetic of a tweed jacket and the comfort of a cardigan.
Price: $59.90AUD
Materials: 41% acrylic, 32% polyester, 27% cotton
8. Self-Portait Brown Textured Knit Jacket
Chanel for the modern day woman. Simultaneously trendy and timeless, this double-breasted jacket has a hook and eye closure at the front for a seamless finish and removable shoulder pads for ’80s style power suit energy, while decorative buttons turn it into a striking statement piece. While it’s at home paired with casual fare like denim jeans or even juxtaposed against cargo pants, we’d recommend teaming it with the matching miniskirt.
Price: £380 (jacket); £250 (skirt)
Materials: 42% polyester, 29% cotton, 15% viscose, 14% polyamide
9. Huishan Zhang Cecile Jacket
For something different to the quintessentially preppy aesthetic that usually accompanies tweed, we’re partial to the Cecile Jacket (and matching Aubrey Skirt) by London-based designer Huishan Zhang. The relaxed cut and pearl fringing lend it a louche boho aesthetic that’s ideally suited to sartorial contrarians.
Price: $3601AUD (jacket); $1616 (skirt)
Materials: 20% wool, 35% polyester, 25% acrylic, 5% nylon, 6% viscose, 9% metal (main); 52% viscose, 43% polyethylene, 5% rayon (lining)
10. Claudie Pierlot Grey Tweed Mixed Wool Blazer
For those who prefer their tweed less prim and proper, the Claudie Pierlot Grey Tweed Mixed Wool Blazer makes a case for a minimalist take on the fabric. A clean cut with a moderately sized notched lapel makes this versatile cropped tweed jacket easy to style for work and smart casual occasions.
Price: €182.50
Materials: 41% wool, 26% polyester, 11% polyamide, 11% silk, 9% acrylic, 2% viscose (main); 54% polyester, 46% viscose (lining)
Enjoyed this story on the best tweed jackets and sets for women? Check out our other women’s style guides here.
Words by Esmé Duggan
