This season it’s all about enjoying relaxed tailoring whilst having fun with friends and family. Dressing well elevates any occasion and makes those around you feel valued. Life is simply better when you look good.

Dashing Tweeds has pioneered new fine wool designs for the summer that effortlessly lead the way to a modern tailored look. Traditionally British tailoring was favoured the world over, but now casual clothing has become mainstream and there is a need to re-establish the relevance of English design.

Dashing Tweeds achieve this through their creativity and understanding that in today’s increasingly uniform world individuality is key.

The exquisitely cut unlined navy blue blazer in a fine merino wool leads the way in summer style. The peak lapels of the double breasted jacket contrast with the more relaxed look of the patch side pockets lending a nonchalance to any occasion. The cloth, an echo weave we have pioneered, is a clever mixture of royal blue, navy and black and weighs in at 11oz, ideal for an unlined summer jacket. It holds its shape and drapes without creasing making it ideal for travel. The double breasted buttoning is the classic 2 show 3, whereby 2 buttons fasten up and the extra show buttons lend a masculinity to the torso shape. Side vents and a 4 button cuff complete the look. The internal seams are all finished with navy binding.

Working with a heritage mill in Suffolk we have designed and woven a cotton jacquard with a fascinating distressed thread motif that bears a resemblance to snake skin. The leisurely jacket looks equally at home in town or on holiday by the sea. To keep things cool only the sleeves are lined in a steel blue. The cut is that of a classic British sports blazer as worn by rowing and cricket clubs. In keeping with tradition the three button blazer has a notched collar, a plain back, two side patch pockets and a patch breast pocket. The cuff features three corozo buttons and the cotton fabric is just 8oz. You will certainly cut a dash when out and about wearing this, especially when teamed with the matching shorts.

To complement our summer collection we have knitted cool cotton tops. The cream one is beautifully airy, being knitted in an open structure. We’ve gone to great lengths to get an ideal fit, just the right size to wear under a jacket with a collar that sits well with tailoring.

Our long sleeved cotton jumper features a marquetry design in two shades of pale blue. The pattern gives the impression of a pleasing three dimensional lattice structure interrupted only by elegant cuffs, the open neck placket and a simple collar. When styled with flannel trousers or even jeans the knit will complete your laid-back summer fit.

These will be available from the end of May.

Dressing smartly for summer events such as weddings and garden parties can be a little tricky. The traditional offerings of cream linen suits often look too staid and of course they crumple so much. We have developed a blend of lambswool and cashmere which always looks good. Last summer our 9oz cloth called Orlando was so greatly admired that we have brought it back for a range of ready to wear suits. The luxuriously soft cloth is woven with a faint red stripe against a ground of pale blue green and straw coloured yarns, a colour palette derived from the murals of Charleston Farm House, the country meeting place of the Bloomsbury group.

We have tailored a glorious single breasted suit (similar to my double breasted one above in the same fabric) which features peak lapels and side vents; a joyously dashing look completed with two horn buttons on the front and four on each cuff. The trousers are a generous cut with side adjusters on the waistband, two back pockets and turn ups on the wide leg. The overall effect is a breezy insouciance that is hard to match.

Do pop in and see us soon, or if you want to book an appointment for our made to measure tailoring, click on the link above.

Also, please do recommend us to your friends. If they are new to Dashing and mention your name when placing their order, we will give them 10% off, and you will get 20% off your next piece of tailoring.

All the best,

Team Dashing

Everything seems better when the sun comes out!

Easter, the traditional time of renewal and change has certainly delivered this year. Suddenly the clement weather has uplifted our spirits and our social diaries are filling up; time for a good wardrobe sort out.

I love a good spring clean. I pile all my clothes on the bed and empty my sock draw on the floor, forcing me to go through them. The orphan socks are consigned to the rag bag as I find it so hard to throw anything away, and they could be put to use to dampen the volume of my wind up gramophone (hence the origin of the phrase “put a sock in it”).

The next phase is to see what is still wearable and what needs repairing or handing down, although my youngsters are frustratingly much taller than me now.

Finally comes the part of putting the clothes back and seeing what’s missing, sadly often the crotch of my favourite trousers, as those dastardly moths always seem to go for the balls.

Fashions change, you may not feel like wearing the yellow florals from a few years ago. I’ve definitely noticed that there has been a lot less exuberance recently and a strange disregard for pattern. The trends of ‘super normal’ and minimalism do have a strong aesthetic, but quite frankly it’s just a bit boring; sophisticated patterns put together with skill is a higher sartorial art form than wearing plains.

There can be a midpoint of elegant clothing with an exquisitely subtle pattern, and this is what we can help you design and create.

We have a range of beautiful fine merino wool worsteds and can guide you through our made to measure tailoring process. We offer all of the classic cuts and are experts at selecting what will work best for you and the occasion. The tailoring takes 6 weeks so do plan ahead if you have a specific event in mind.

We are also launching our new summer ready to wear collection next week, so watch this space.

Drop us an email to book an appointment, or pop in and see us soon.

All the best,

Team Dashing

At last joy seems to be back in fashion. Recent fashion shows have delighted in bringing colour and whimsy back when we need it most.

The endless mourning procession of black clad folk will hopefully give way to some bursts of colour and pattern. A cheery thought indeed.

For people stuck in a rut of monochrome it can be hard to see the light. They need guidance and eduction as to how colours and patterns can be worn. So much of clothing is about story telling and heritage. Understandably monochrome tailoring has been the way to showcase strongly shaped and tailored looks. The idea of dressing up in black and white was actually pioneered by Beau Brummell in the late 18th century. He used the austere fabrics to flaunt the extremely shapely cuts he worked on with his numerous tailors. Against the backdrop of colourful silks and wools worn by the Georgian aristocracy of the time his silhouettes where very dashing and daring.

Although he died in poverty and exile, the inevitable fate of a degenerate gambler, his style ideas have flourished. A generation later, the death of Prince Albert in 1861 put Queen Victoria and the country in mourning. Two world wars expounded the misery and the wearing of black tightened it’s hold on society.

Now times are changing, the formality of the workplace has relaxed and with conversations around wellbeing and mental health we all need a break from the maudlin and should learn how to relax back to colour.

Tweed leads the way, it’s the traditional way gentlemen have worn colour when out of the city, dressing more in harmony with the landscape. In fact, tweed is the original camouflage designed to blend with heather moors and rustic hues. We’ve taken this aspect of tweed and given it an extra vibrant twist, adding elements from joyous times such as the rave culture of the 90’s, sports wear of the ‘80s and an historic dive back to the sustainable clothing of the Georgian period where fabrics were enjoyed and cherished by all.

Since our beginning, almost 20 years ago, we have been experimenting with exciting and elegant colour combinations. Wool can be dyed almost any colour and we never shy away from trying something new. Dashing customers often drop by and regale us with tales of the pleasure they have given and received simply by dressing joyously. If you know anyone who needs cheering up then do send them our way and we can definitely make their life woollier and probably a lot rosier.

My advice is to discard the bleak outfit, start spring with a bright outlook and spread a little happiness as you go by.

All the best,

Team Dashing

We are keeping things elegant this coming spring summer season adding three fine Merino wool worsteds to our lightweight cloth collection.

A few seasons ago we developed an interesting echo weave structure featuring an almost mysterious wave effect across the cloth in shimmering purples. This proved to be a great success so we have brought the design back in colours suitable for dashing nights out or even weddings. We’ve called this surreptitious design Spectra.

The ‘Spectra Ink’ cloth is woven with a navy blue yarn alongside a black. The two shades  give an almost pulsing effect on the cloth. The weight is around 11oz or 350g, perfect for tailoring a suit which keeps it shape in all weathers. Blue is a universal colour for clothing and can be paired with everything making it a very versatile choice, especially when travelling in the summer with limited luggage.

Our ‘Spectra Bottle’ worsted features a rich bottle green similar to a dark emerald tone. This interacts with the navy yarns in a very pleasing way creating a shimmering wave that is hard to define. Rich greens are interesting colours to wear and make a refreshing change from greys and neutrals. They elevate tailored looks to a luxurious level and the Merino wool drapes in a most pleasing way.

We have named the final design ‘Spectra Bordeaux’ by adding a lively ruby tone to the echo weave. The navy and crimson yarns join to produce a purple play across the fabric. Maintaining the same cloth weight of 11oz the Spectra Bordeaux exudes an up tempo feel suitable for joyous occasions.

All our cloths are available in store and online, if you would like swatches, do get in contact. These are also all available through our made to measure tailoring as well.

We hope to see you in store soon.

All the best,

Team Dashing

Going on a special date is an exciting affair, especially with a new paramour. Although, taking your life partner out for a surprise treat should also be a moment to impress and refresh just how great you really are.

Planning a seductive evening needs some consideration, least of all how you look. Dressing well is more than just a sign that you are not slovenly but also an indication of your intellect and general attitude to life and of course you obviously want to look appealing.

For women there are so many options but for men it’s much harder. You don’t want to look too casual as if you are not bothered, but then neither do you want to look like you are heading to a job interview.

We are focused on tailoring creative menswear that allows men to express their individuality as well as their elegance. We love designing interesting fabrics, which are all woven in Scotland. Our shop offers ready to wear pieces as well as made to measure tailoring and hosts designs which will bring out the best in you. Tweed is the original dress down fabric that treads the fine line between work and pleasure.

Remember that a valentine dinner may not be a job interview but it would be a blow if it didn’t go down well!

Have a lovely night.

Many thanks,

Team Dashing

Wearing tweed on a chilly day is one of life’s great pleasures. Ideally a tweed jacket that is versatile and can move easily between town and country as you dash around for the weekend. Funnily enough we have just what you need. A beautifully woven wool in delightfully rugged Donegal yarn; a basket weave pattern in fresh green and cream with the odd nepp of orange, giving it flavour and depth. We’ve named this delicious design Basil and created such a lovely field jacket that once it’s on you won’t want to take it off.

I’ve never really taken to the continental idea of carrying those fussy man-bags. A decent set of pockets works just fine and our jacket features six in total. Two inside, two breast ones with buttons and another two impressive side pockets tailored with expanding bellows. At a push you could probably travel for a whole weekend, sans luggage as a freewheeling Don Quixote character with a razor, paperback, pants and a toothbrush folded in them.

As the Basil cloth weighs an impressive 26 ozs we have tailored the jacket without a lining, keeping it simple and allowing the marvellous qualities of wool to do their work without interference. As you probably know, babies are proven to sleep better when wrapped in wool, it regulates your temperature like no other material. I’m not suggesting you personally sleep in our wonderful field jacket, but if the need arises you could do worse.

The fit is flattering as well, with three buttons and a clean ventless back, allowing the robust, yet soft tweed to maintain a refined shape. When paired with a crisp shirt, perhaps one of our lambswool jumpers, and a well cut pair of flannel trousers you are ready to roam the world. The jacket looks fine in the field, yet will also be at home during a luncheon party in town or the driving seat of a roadster. If you have to choose just one jacket then this is the one. Indeed our friend and model Nicholas Campbell is intent on wearing his to both the Texan rough lands and fittingly Basel art fair, his chosen destinations for pleasure and work.

These jackets are available instore and online, and if you want to make any changes to them or select a different cloth we can also tailor these through our made to measure tailoring.

‘New Year – New You’ is a mantra that is bandied about at this time of year. It’s a refrain you repeat for a few weeks at the gym before realising that the old you is perfectly adequate. But, who wants to be just adequate when you can be trail blazing, dashing and debonair. Deciding not to run with the pack, but to lead it or set up your own pack is what life is about and we can help you.

Clothing is a much easier and faster way to change yourself than pushing weights and pumping pills. Don a new suit and glance in the mirror; the new you will instantly appear to be more vital, delightful and elegant. Yes, the proportions of good tailoring can really change your figure, it’s all about the rise of the trousers and the fit of the shoulders.

Colour is an important aspect as well. For some reason many people have totally dispensed with the glorious yarn colours that are the product of hundreds of years of human endeavour and resorted to wearing plain neutrals which really aren’t that mood lifting and probably don’t add to your aura. Just a hint of colour can add so much to your look and we are here to help.

Colour is our thing, we are constantly experimenting with interesting combinations and designing new fabrics for you. We all have aspects of colour from our eyes to hair and skin and these can be a good starting point to emphasise your best tones either with adjacent or complimentary palettes, it’s fun to try different things out.

In our shop we can drape cloth over you to help you visualise which combinations work best, you’ll be surprised how some colours just lift you and make you look so much better.

Dressing with history and heritage in mind is also important. Clothing is an evolution both on the personal level as you grow up, and at the macro level in terms of history. In Great Britain, tweed has one of the richest histories of any fabric. It is the traditional way for gentlemen to wear colour as well as being the original sportswear for so many activities from shooting and fishing to mountain climbing and cycling.

At Dashing Tweeds we are continuing the story of tweed and bring the sustainable wool cloth up to date so it can work with our busy lives in an urban environment. Being part of this story by deciding what looks great on you in terms of cloth and cut is a real luxury. Not only will our tweeds bring joy to your life they will break the boring mould of conformity and lift away the winter blues.

We offer made to measure tailoring in house and can guide you through all the available options. The choice is huge and works well for everything you may need, from a smart wedding to a casual weekend with friends or anything in between.

Our winter sale continues for the next few weeks. We are offering a 10% discount off everything, in store and online, so do drop by soon.

Many thanks,

Team Dashing