Harris Tweed overshirt by Boltey

Note : Boltey have kindly accepted to send us the overshirt you will discover in this article

HARRIS TWEED

Tweed is the ideal fabric for the fall and winter. Practical, resistant and used for both formal and casual wear, its speckled and multicolored variants make it one of the most varied and beautiful fabrics in the world in our view.

Despite this, tweed has an image problem. Indeed, it is often associated with the countryside and older generational-wear. Yet it is a very modern and durable fabric. Tweed is almost as technical as Gore-Tex: the thick wool renders the fabric water-repellent while remaining relatively breathable. A true favorite among Les Indispensables.

The one Boltey chose for this overshirt is a Harris Tweed, which means the fabric is handwoven on handlooms - the same type of machine used for decades. Most of the work is done by foot using foot pedals. 

The advantage of weaving at a slower speed is that the tweed’s weave can be a little more open, a little softer. 

For a tweed to bear the label “Authentic Harris Tweed”, it has to meet certain conditions: it has to be made only from virgin wool, dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides, and must be woven at home (!).

BOLTEY OVERSHIRTS

Finding a tweed overshirt or 4-pocket jacket is not that easy. Even less so in Harris Tweed.

So we are very happy to share this discover. Boltey is a Spanish brand based in Madrid. Their overshirts are made in Spain. 

Upon wearing the jacket, we instantly realize the garment fits perfectly. Everything is well proportioned*. The cut is straight, the 4 pockets very useful. The collar is generous enough to not be shadowed by a more voluminous scarf – something we are truly fond of. Jean – the model – wears a 50cm x 200cm sable cashmere scarf from Maalbi.

If we had to point out one small regret to this jacket, it would be the fact it is not lined, especially in the sleeves and shoulders. Harris Tweed is a rough fabric and is not necessarily easy to put on a Shaggy Dog sweater for example. But apart from this detail, we highly recommend this jacket.

We advise you to take a look at their website. Many other colors are proposed. There is for example a beautiful gray blue herringbone that is even easier to wear than the model that Jean has chosen. 

These overshirts will be very easy to wear in a casual outfit with a crew-neck sweater and jeans or more dressy outfits with wool trousers and a shirt. 

*For information, Jean took a size 50. He is usually a M, so we would advise to size up.