Tweed!

[darkemeralds]

There's this Tweed Ride that started in London last winter. They wear tweed. They ride in London. Down Savile Row where the tailoring comes from, and twice across the Thames, and through Hyde Park, and all around. And they give prizes: Most Dapper Chap, Most Dashing Dame, Best Mustache (open to all genders).

And maybe it's just me, but this fabulous photo from the event is just...*guh*...and makes me want to write early 20th century bicycle slash.

And anyway, we're going to have a Tweed Ride in Portland! In January. So I'm going to start hunting for something tweed to wear. This could make me get out my sewing machine again. It really could.

Comments

[lamentables.livejournal.com]

Do you even have tweed over there? Will we have to send you supplies :-)

Also? That photo is most excellent. *stares*

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Tweed! It's the Anti-Spandex.

Yes, we do. Of course we get it from you guys. I've made my own tweed overcoat and have tailored a couple of jackets in my time. We can be quite woolly here in the Wild West.

OMG I'm going fabric shopping! I haven't done that in AGES.

[lamentables.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I've never had the nerve to make a coat.

\fabric/

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

I've made several over the years. The joy of making a coat (as distinct from a suit jacket, you understand, in American clothing terminology) is that coat fabric is heavier and patterns are generally simpler. There's tailoring, but on a much more forgiving level than a suit. A bound buttonhole in a heavy tweed is not nearly as finicky as one in a fine summer-weight wool, and the turn of a lapel can be a little less precise and still work fine.

I'm kind of excited about sewing again.

[str8ontilmornin.livejournal.com]

That is quite the pic.

I have no tweed. Well maybe a cap. I would be happy to see the Tweed Ride when it happens here. Who's organizing it?

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

It's not clear, but from a comment on the BikePortland blog post (http://bikeportland.org/2009/11/25/tweed-ride-coming-to-portland/), possibly Filmed By Bike (http://www.filmedbybike.org/)?

[lyr]

That sounds like an awesome event. I love the idea, even though I have never worn tweed in my life.

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Tweed, like Spandex, is not just a fabric, it's a lifestyle!

When I was in college in the 80s it was enjoying a vogue, and designers like Calvin Klein did the most scrumptious things with it. I'm kind of excited to get some again.

[lyr]

I will admit that I considered crossing into tweed territory for this or this. Granted, neither are likely much good for biking.

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Oh my, yes! Both gorgeous. You could definitely wear the shorter one for cycling--maybe the longer one, depending on the bike.

Territory Ahead has some nice things. It's been a while since I bought from them. Thanks for the reminder.

[serenity-valley.livejournal.com]

Well that pic is certainly drool worthy. Wowza. Now I just want to raid my library for a book set in that place and time, prominently featuring a delightfully sturdy bike as a plot point....

(oops, wrong icon)

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

I don't suppose watching Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid would qualify...?

[letsgorideabike.wordpress.com (from livejournal.com)]

Tweed Rides are so much fun. They really make people notice bicyclists, in a good way.

-Dottie

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

I've been shopping around for something suitable to wear on the Portland ride. January=brrr. I'm looking forward to participating in my first group bike thing.