The title of this post may seem a little odd but for those in the know, we understand the Herdwick sheep and it's wool isn't always the most favoured wool for Savile Row tailoring. But things have changed and I'm going to bring you up to speed. This breed of sheep is a native of Cumbria and the English Lake District. In other words the home of the Redmayne bespoke tailoring workshop.

Unnamed 2

(Local Herdwick)

So let's briefly give you the basics about this wool and tell you why I think the cloth from this sheeps fleece is very unique and sexy. Firstly, this breed are natives of Cumbria, like the author. They are also considered a rare and vulnerable breed. It is said by shepherds in the fells that Herdwick fleece always "drys first after a storm". They're a hardy bunch that spend their time surviving the highest mountains in England, the Lakeland Fells.
In the past their wool has generally been used for carpets and insulation and other glamorous uses. Let's face it, if it can survive the Cumbrian Fells weather it can handle pretty much anything. The yarn is strong, warm and very durable and some would say too durable for Savile Row tailoring. This brawny character has meant that for years it was overlooked as a choice of wool to be used in bespoke hand tailoring. So the challenge was, could we harness this Herculean wool for bespoke and made to measure tailoring?


Thankfully, there are a few gifted weavers who felt this could be done and this strong humble breed could offer more than something to walk on. Well, that determination has paid off as Herdwick wool is now being woven and knitted into all sorts of lovely unique clothing. I say unique for good reason as it's only found in one area and it only comes in two colours, dark or light grey. I would say take your pick but you can't. You see the fleeces are sorted like this - Fleeces from older sheep are darker and thrown on one pile and younger lighter fleeces are thrown on another pile at the mill. This highly sophisticated method allows for the unique weave of Herdwick, a mixture of fleece giving a very natural, undyed colour and texture that is unmistakable in its character and texture. It can take a dye but I don't think it works well as the colours seem a little forced. It's better left honest and simple as it is with its earthy mixture of greys.

(Two Herdwick tweed lengths)


I have here a couple of beautiful lengths which I'm going to make a few of samples from. A man's overcoat and a ladies tweed coat or shooting suit. We'll make them using our made to measure service and I'll show you the outcome in a few weeks. If you can't wait and you want your own this winter then you know what to do. Get in touch and get something going as you won't find this hanging in a department store any time soon.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories:Cloth News Technical
Tom And Claire

About Tom

Tom has been involved at the highest level in the tailoring industry for over 37 years. He has also been blogging and furthering knowledge of the craft for over 15 years. He is married to Claire and has three children.

See how this tailor pays the bills and follow me @Redmayne1860 on Instagram.

Orange…And not just the coat.
Wear your colour at Redmayne.

Cloth from Holland & Sherry, Mesh & Hopsack blazers - 302122
.
.
.
#madetomeasuresportscoat #sportscoat #statmentpiece #orangesportscoat #threerolltwo #3roll2 #patchpockets #handsewnbuttonholes #dutchorange #patriotic #dutchman #holland #nationalcolour #redmaynetie #silktie #vannerssilk #silkbraces #albertthurston #albertthurstonbraces #woolscarf #hollandandsherry #handrolled #handrollededges #outfitoftheday #sartorial #sartorialstyle #savilerow #bespoketailor #softtailoring
Throwback Thursday. 

Long live the King…Redmayne was there for our last one.
That’s what you call Heritage.
.
.
.
#throwbackthursday #tbt🔙📸 #coronation #coronationday #longlivetheking #bunting #partyhats #heritage #familybusiness #bespoketailor #bespoketailoring #savilerowtailoring #madetomeasuresuits #customtailoring #customsuits #softailoring #drapecut #redmayne1860
Luxembourg…Time to dress well. Redmayne are coming.

Cloth - Holland & Sherry, Sherry Tweed 8821106
.
.
.
#hollandandsherry #bespoke #bespokesuit #threepiecesuit #bespoketailor #savilerow #savilerowtailor #mastertailor #bespokepattern #travellingtailor #visitluxembourg #luxembourg🇱🇺 #bookyourappointmentnow #softtailoring #sartorialstyle #freshair #walkingonair #redmayne1860 #madetomeasuresuits #madetomeasuretailoring #customtailoring #customsuit
What a weekend… God save the King!
Tom talks about his fittings with the King when he was then Prince of Wales.
.
.
.
#coronation #godsavetheking #longlivetheking #british #adaylikenoother #memorableday #stjamesspalace #royalfittings #princeofwales #themall #royalfamily #royalcelebration #redmayne1860 #bespoketailor #mastertailor #savilerow #savilerowtailor #bespokesuit #madetomeasuresuits #customtailor #customtailoring #customsuit
Good morning, it’s Coronation day… A busy one but a wonderful one. How privileged we are to play a small part in this.
.
.
.
#coronation #kingcharles #britishroyalfamily #britishgentleman #knightofrealm #sir #atruegentleman #whatadaytocelebrate #adayofcelebration #🇬🇧 #henrypoole #mastertailor #savilerow #savilerowbespoke #likeavillage #sokind #experts #redmayne1860 #morningsuit #cleverleyshoes #mirrorshine #shinyshoes
Coronation ready… Mr Mahon presses a pair of cashmere stripe trousers for a clients morning suit.
.
.
.
#coronation #attendingthecoronation #pressing #notironing #tailoringterms #iron #pressingtable #savilerowtailor #savilerowbespoke #bespoketailoring #mastertailor #softtailoring #dressedfortheevent #dressedfortheoccasion #redmayne1860
English Espresso… something for the sunshine.
Redmayne Acclaim 3piece suit, order yours today.

Cloth - Huddersfield Fine Worsted, Fresco III, no.510246
.
.
.
#britishtailoring #thedrapecut #britishtailor #savilerow #ootd #sartorialstyle #madeforthesunshine #fresco #huddersfieldfineworsted #hfw #handbuttonholes #handstitched #handstitchededging #mastertailor #savilerowtailor #headedforitaly #weddingsuit #lookingelegant #classicmenswear #classictailoring #softtailoring #fullcanvassuit #redmayne1860 #bespoke & #madetomeasuresuits #customtailoring #customsuit
When Mr Mahon’s in London… The apprentices wanted to try the latest Wes Anderson trend. I think it rather suits our trade…
.
.
.
#wesanderson #wesandersoninspired #accidentallywesanderson #wesandersonmovie #youbetternot #giveitatry #tailoringanatomy #tailoringapprentice #tailoringapprenticeship #lovewhatyoudo #workhardstayhumble #bespoketailor #bespokesuit #bespoketailoring #mastertailor #savilerow #giveitago #tryingsomethingnew #trendingreels #redmayne1860
Big challenges develop bigger skills…Keep on that road.
Redmayne Apprentices.
.
.
.
#tailoring #tailoringapprentice #apprenticeship #workinghard #workinghardpaysoff #newskills #handskills #trainingthenextgeneration #mastertailor #savilerow #savilerowtailor #bespoketailor #bespokecoat #bespokeblazer #handstitched #excitingwork #redmayne1860
Join us for a morning walk in London’s West End. From Piccadilly Circus to the heart of tailoringdom….Redmayne. You know where to come - Literally! 
Enjoy your weekend.
.
.
.
#londoncommute #commutingtowork #thegoldenmile #savilerow #picadillycircus #regentstreet #vigostreet #maddoxstreet #stgeorgestreet #mayfair #londonunderground #thetube #sotherbys #rollsroyce #walktowork #hrh #cutterfortheking #mastertailor #thecrownaffair #thethomascrownaffair #likelivinginamovie #sunshining☀️ #londonlife #fridayfeeling #friyay #redmayne1860 #bookyourappointment #bespokesuits #britishtailoring #bespoketailoring
Molly, Redmayne apprentice. Long road but enjoying the journey. Pass the knowledge on.
.
.
.
#apprentice #apprenticeship #coatmaker #tailor #tailoringterms #classictailoring #classictechniques #startingthemyoung #workinghard #savilerow #savilerowbespoke #bespokecoat #sewnbyhand #basting #padstitching #shrinkingthecanvas #threadmarking #somuchtolearn #suchenthusiasm #greatteam #familybusiness #supportingapprentices #littlebylittle #sharingtheknowledge #sharingthepassion #mastercraftsman #mastertailor #bespokesuit #bespokesportscoat #bespokeblazer
Old skills…Young hands. Happy Easter to you all.
.
.
.
#redmayne1860 #tailoringapprentice #apprenticeship #classictailoring #trainedbythebest #thekingsman #hrh #handsewn #bespokepatterns #bespokesuit #bespokewaistcoat #rippingdown #rippingdownthejobs #sleeveboard #tailoringterms #espresso #espressorequired #mastertailor #sartorialstyle #softtailoring #thedrapecut #britishdrape #britishsuits #bookyourappointment #happyeaster #easterweekend
Home to the Redmayne workshop and bathed in British sunshine. It’s a happy day back with the team.
.
.
.
#britishtailor #bespoketailor #familybusiness #britishbusiness #mastertailor #bespoketailoringworkshop #tailorsworkshop #traditionaltailoring #mastertailor #cutter #apprentice #tailoringapprentice #coatmaker #smallteam #smallteamgreatpassion #whenthesunshines #thesunisshining #britishmarkettown #markettown #flyingtheflag #unionflag #britishflag #🇬🇧️ #redmayne1860 #bookyourappointmenttoday
What a trip! Thank you everyone, it’s been a pleasure to see you all. Just time for that pint before heading home!
.
.
.
#redmayne1860 #usa #travellingtailor #losangeles #atlanta #newyork #boston #amazingcustomers #howluckyarewe #amazingsuits #sportscoats #blazers #plus4s #gilet #twopiecesuit #threepiecesuit #overcoat #sirensuit #sartorialstyle #savilerowtailor #savilerowbespoke #mastertailor #orderyoursnow #timetoheadhome #britishweather #familytime #familybusiness
“The most valuable commodity I know of is information “ Gordon Gekko.
You know where to come… Redmayne 1860.
.
.
.
#britishtailoring #travellingtailor #usavisit #fullybooked #wallstreet #wallstreetmovie #gordongekko #dresswell #newyorkcity #thecitythatneversleeps #silktie #silkbraces #redmayne1860 ##savilerowtailor #madetomeasuresuits #customsuits #customtailoring #sartorialstyle #ootd #classicmenstyle #classictailoring
Sharp dressed man…

Always a given when your wearing your Redmayne suit. Dress well… Redmayne1860
.
.
.
#sharpdressedman #dresswell #ootd #mensstyle #classictailoring #bespoketailoring #bespokesuit #singlebreasted #doublebreastedsuit #peaklapel #notchlapel #savilerow #savilerowtailor #mastertailor #savilerowtailoring #madetomeasuresuit #mtmsuit #customtailoring #customsuit #harrisonsofedinburgh #dugdalebros #hollandandsherry #scabal #orderyours #redmayne1860
It’s Friday and he’s a long flight this weekend…..USA here we come.
Enjoy your weekend.
.
.
.
#kindness #fridayfeeling #workinghard #workinghardpaysoff #kindcustomer #gift #unexpectedgift #beer #craftbeer #cellarheadbrewingcompany #chilledbeer🍺 #justwhatheneeded #hugethanks #usaherewecome #usaherewecome✈️🇺🇸 #losangeles #atlanta #newyorkcity #boston #fullybooked #bespoke & #madetomeasuresuits #mtm #customtailoring #britishbespoke #savilerow #savilerowtailor #redmayne1860 mayne1860
A cold morning….It’s ok, 13oz 3 piece will do the trick. 
Enjoy your day and Dress Well.
.
.
.
#madetomeasure #madetomeasuresuit #acclaim #handfinished #handfinishedbuttonhole #handstitchedbuttonholes #threepiecesuit #3piecesuit #greysuit #greybirdseyesuit #birdseyecloth #traintravel #northener #northenrail #offtolondon #snowiscoming #customerstosee #newappointments #firstfittings #savilerow #savilerowtailor #mastertailor #redmayne1860
Ladies wearing braces….Why not, especially today. 
What do you think?

Cloth - Holland & Sherry, Mesh & Hopsack Blazers, 3020005
.
.
.
#bespoketailoring #bespokesuit #2piecesuit #2pcsuit #savilerowtailor #hollandandsherry #hollandandsherryapparel #meshcloth #ladiessuits #suitfortheboss #albertthurstonbraces #albertthurston #silkbraces #britishbraces #buynow #vannerssilk #ladyceo #womeninbusiness #internationalwomensday #somethingtobeproudof #redmayne1860 #bespoke #madetomeasuresuits #customtailoring
Simple black coat…. Not really, time for the Oscar’s.
We better get a move on!

Cloth - Smith Woollens, Formal & Dress Wear, 7844
.
.
.
#bespoketailoring #bespokedinnersuit #britishtailoring #formalwear #tuxedo #dinnerjacket #specialoccasion #bespokelining #oscars #theoscars2023 #whatelsewouldyouexpect #ootd #willyouspotus #keepguessing #fullcanvassuit #silklapels #fitting #softailoring #smithwoollens #barathea #mastertailor #savilerowtailor #savilerow #savilerowbespoke #neededasap‼️ #deadlineapproaching #handsewn #redmayne1860 #
The ultimate bespoke drape cut… You know it makes sense.

See the full video on our YouTube channel - Savile Row Tales.
.
.
.
#youtubechannel #savilerow #savilerowtales #mastercutter #bespoketailor #bespoketailoring #thedrapecut #rockofeye #softtailoring #harristweed #harristweedjacket #vintagetweed #bespoketweedjacket #japan #longwaytotravel #worthavisit #tripofalifetime #whatwouldyouorder #savilerowtailor #sartorialstyle #redmayne1860 #bespokesuit #customtailoring & #madetomeasuresuits
Morning Will… Talented apprentices, if you can sew, you can sew anything. Another day at Redmayne.
.
.
.
#apprentice #coatmaker #apprenticecoatmaker #tailoring #bespoketailoring #britishtailoring #handsewn #multitalented #skilledtrade #goodmorning #greetings #goodmorningwill #notwhatyouexpected #savilerow #savilerowtailor #mastertailor #manyhandsmakelightwork #redmayne1860 #bespoke & #madetomeasuresuits #customtailoring #sartiorialstyle
Disco drafting… you can tell we’re busy.
.
.
.
#bespokesuit #bespokepattern #rockofeye #draftingbyhand #bespoketailor #mastertailor #rockofeye #yearsofexperience #likenoother #futureootd #specialsuit #classictailoring #softtailoring #madebyhand #britishtailoring #savilerow #savilerowbespoke #mastercraftsman #learnfromthebest #redmayne1860 #disco #discodancing #speeddrafting #hyperlapse #mondaymotivation #mondaymood
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: Access Token is not valid or has expired. Feed will not update.
Top magnifiercross-circle