[Sherman]

Depressing article in today's Daily Telegraph on the crisis in the Harris tweed industry here. I know the same thing has happened to the Irish tweed industry - I am shocked at the decrease in Harris tweed produced annually, down to 1 million metres per annum from 7 million metres just a decade ago. I dread to think what will be the state of this industry, both in Scotland and in Ireland, a decade from now.

At least I've made a small attempt to stem the tide by ordering a jacket from Bookster recently

 

[Kingstonian]

I am surprised Harris were selling that much a decade ago.

Harris tweed was a standard item in my father's day. Marks & Spencer stock a couple of Harris jackets each Winter, but I am sure Primark would not be interested.

Harris needs to be regarded in a different light to prosper.

I personally prefer Donegal tweed and have got some good stuff in Ardara, but the big outlet - John Molloy - near the town does not even have a decent website. If it did I could be tempted to buy more, instead of waiting on future trips.

 

[Rich]

I didn't realise the situation was so critical. Harris Tweed deserves world heritage status. And the support of this forum. I for one now have a further reason to expand my winter wardrobe...

 

[Flanderian]

Do say?

https://askandyaboutclothes.com/community/showthread.php?t=83876&highlight=Harris+Tweed

Fight the evil Haggas!

Orvis is a U.S. retailer specializing in county clothes. For years they have billed themselves as selling the most Harris Tweed in the U.S. Their Harris Tweed odd jackets and hunting outfits have been a mainstay for many years. This year, all their Harris Tweed is gone, and has been replaced with tweed described as highland tweed. Still from Scotland, but not Harris Tweed. This could simply be a choice recommended by changing tastes, but I doubt it. A more likely cause is Mr. Haggas' decision not to sell it to anyone!

This would be fine, except that I, and I expect virtually anyone else who purchased Orvis' jackets have absolutely no interest in Mr. Haggas' clothing line. The net result is to even further constrain a shrinking market to the extent that almost no one will even be aware of Harris Tweeds' existence thus assuring its imminent demise.

Brilliant, Brian!

 

[rbstc123]

wow

For lack of better words, This sucks!
Hands tied, huh?

 

[Mattdeckard]

I know that heavier and heavier wools have been on the out though seeing the production stunted and the product taken away from a public that wants it... hmmm. I think he'd make more money if he worked on marketing rather than limiting supply... but we'll see what happens.

 

[eagle2250]

^ Having read the article and considering the several multiple Harris Tweed coats that hang in my closet and recalling the numbers of acquaintances I see wearing Harris Tweeds during the cooler months of the year, I must ask...where are all these garments coming from? Customer demand is certainly there! I suspect Matt has hit upon the crux of the problem...a cottage industry, that has yet to discover how to effectively interface with a growing, highly competitive global economy. On reflection, I really wish I hadn't taken those three older Harris Tweed jackets to the Goodwill store last fall!

 

[Blueboy1938]

Harris Tweed is Forever

A Harris tweed is made to last forever - or at least as long as the wearer, unless he shears sheep in it. So that limits the market somewhat. So long as you obtain a fairly "timeless" style, when are you going to need to replace it?

Sadly, I "outgrew" mine and made a mournful trip with them to Goodwill. As I live in California, the times calling for a fabric that can withstand icy gales are few. So I don't believe I'll be getting others in my now more ample size. Besides, with the rate of exchange the way it is, that's not particularly economic, anyway.

I'm not familiar at all with the other tweeds mentioned, but I can't imagine that they can really hold a stick to Harris. By the way, if the wool hasn't been washed in the waters of the river Tweed, can it still be called "tweed"? Actually, the name is supposed to have come from a misreading to "tweel" and associated by error with the river.