Horse Races at Aintree and tweed

The horse race at Aintree was very timely with my recent jabber on tweeds and sport uniforms.

My Swing Bill came10th in the run and  two other horses had to be put down due to the fatal injuries. But beyond this I have no more  information to impart on you and my nominal knowledge of sweepstaking terminates ...which is fine since I have received my bet collaterally with  my colleagues on benevolence of the company and am happy to contribute a miniscule share in the beautiful tradition.

But in light of the event, along with the plummeting temperatures, I am taking advantage to celebrate tweed, virgin wool and goode olde Scottish weavers.

My choice falls on Houndstooth tweed- only by reason of not having any other in my possession.
Many will probably recognize the twills, recalling despiteful teaching staff at school.
Nevertheless, the fabrics are grand and the names contribude to the culture!

Hail? Hail to the true British style!

For the British weather British threads!

Just three hundred years ago Scottish folk, apparently, had enough of the nasty winds and colds, and with the help of industrial revolution  invented tweed.

Tweed tweed!                          

Originally hand-woven from a pure virgin wool it is unbelievably comfortable, looks flattering  and lasts long. Haven’t I bought you  just yet? Well then, it also has a prestigious flair about it, and prestigious it is apriori. The fabric per se is a hallmark which is instantly recognized and stands equal to any haute-couture brand.

Tweed fabric has originated from Scotland and quickly became a mainstay of military clothing due to its durability, water resistance and heat retention qualities.  

Amongst the upper classes it was largely used as an outdoors sports clothing and made its way into equestrian sector for hunting and hoarse riding.

Horse riding suits

Mr Toad

Basil Rathbone

Traditional coarse tweed of earthy colours (like Harris Tweed) became closely associated with the British culture; think Sherlock Holmes or Mr Toad (one of the main characters in the novel The Wind in The Willows by Kenneth Graham ) who had a penchant for Harris Tweed on extravagant outings on his air-balloon …

Harris Tweed sneakers

Grab the balls!

Life happens!

Life happens and I end up not  going to Roland Garros! ..........balls.................................Period.

Nevertheless I remain on a lookout for the passing balls...

One way or the other, the tennis trend has firmly asserted its place in the market for every  spring coming since the record began. And the record began in the start of the 20th century and, thanks God, has been returning for chacun Wimbledon season. Bless it. Tennis outfit - one of my favourites’.

Although I have never attended  a tournament, I sternly keep 'keeping up appearances', and will be doing so even if my tennis frenzy evaporate one day.


Effortless, extremely ascetic and brilliantly simple in its tailor (ask your nan to put one together for you. Use the chance to exploit some elderly labour). 
The outfit is always elegant and most importantly it is perennial. 

You can secure a happy future by investing into one tennis suit consisted of two white garments: one loose-fit top preferably with a V neck cut, which is more traditionally English (think golf, cricket) and a flary trapezium-shaped skirt. Do not push your luck too far by asking the granny to saw in the integrated shorts with the intrinsically hidden balls' compartment (despite that men love the idea so much. Proven.) Just match the knickers in colour. 

Pin the look with an immaculately white cap, a wristband and socks. Obviously do not wear brown leather converse trainers or something completely out of context.

I personally believe that the tennis trend has sprung from Coco Chanel.
Not only she was the great revolutionista - blowing the dictated fashion canons that were reigning at the time - and ‘unhooked’ female's body out of its corset dungeon. She also celebrated the movement and dynamism of humans body, letting its essence to determine the wear rather than the wear planting you into its parameters.

Chanel was profoundly fond of English adherence to uniforms (recreational sport, school uniforms. Also military dress was increasingly frequenting public domain as the World War I was swelling to burst out); she also fell for an English man Captain Arthur Edward 'Boy' Capel whom she met in 1909. The couple spent a lot of time at fashionable resorts. I guess tennis games, sweating and balls was involved.

This consonant collaboration massively inspired Chanel as Boy introduced her to the world of jersey blazers (jersey used to be a material for men's underwear) and loose fit clothes.

He then sponsored her first atelier and shops.

Shortly before World War I her first boutique was opened offering luxe casual clothes that were suitable for leisure and sport made out of jersey.

So there we go. Looks like girls got their grip on the balls and never let them go since.

I love Chanel, and I celebrate her courage and hunger for life. Her vision is beautiful and her clothes is gratifying.

Lacoste

If anyone's got a spare ticket to Wimbledon I unsolicitedly volunteer for obtaining one. Moreover I do have a disguised compartment in my tennis skirt. Just balls needed really.