Keep out the chill with classic tweeds

There was a time when I would reach for the Gore-Tex, fleece and gilet with the onset of cold weather. In the search for something a little different I sought inspiration from the more traditional clothing worn in the past by those pursuing sport and adventure in snow and ice or or on cold, windy moorlands. Here are pictures that inspired me.

Mallory and Irvine prepare for Everest 1924
courtesy of National Geographic

I've already mentioned tweed, and my first purchase at the beginning of this quest for a personal style was a Nigel Cabourn Tenzing jacket, named obviously after Tenzing Norgay, who climbed Everest in 1952 with Edmund Hillary. (It now seems to be called the Mallory jacket, after George Mallory, pictured top, second from left, before his death with Sandy Irvine, top left, on Everest in 1924).

From Nigel Cabourn

Below I am wearing the jacket on a very chilly December day, walking the dog in the local park. I have never felt cold in this jacket (layered up with woolly jumpers), it is reasonably windproof and the Ventile shoulder patches make if at least showerproof. Tweed wears more comfortably than artificial materials and is silent to wear - no swishing with every movement. I also like it because it is a natural material, why not take environmental issues into account when dressing?

It is difficult to forget the British sporting tradition behind tweed, an added attraction for me. Maybe it looks a little different and more stylish than a warm anorak?

So busy posing I haven't noticed incoming, but at least the jacket is snowball-proof......