As summer draws to an end and the first wisps of Autumn are felt, our thoughts turn to the new season. Yet it’s not quite here. Yesterday when I got dressed it was chilly , by the end of the day we were in glorious sunshine!   In clothing this poses the question What do I wear?   We pull extra layers from our wardrobes, but, not quite ready for full on jumpers, this is where a transitional layer is the perfect solution. Think the perfect ladies tweed waistcoat. They offer that extra warmth with style. Skimming and flattering, the...

Can I wear tweed in Spring and Summer?  It’s a question I am often asked. And yes is the answer I will give.   We all know tweed is an elegant and classic choice for Autumn and Winter, especially robust Harris tweeds and Estate tweeds and we don’t think twice about wearing it.  Am I crazy to suggest it’s a great choice for the warmer months too? Possibly not the greatest choice on a baking hot 30 degree day in July, but in May and June days when the sun plays hide and seek and the air blows warm, then...

6 Ways to Wear a Waistcoat. The humble waistcoat as versatile as it is simple. The waistcoat has a long history firstly as a men’s formal piece and then as a statement piece for women’s fashion. Who can forget those iconic Kate Moss looks of 2005. Since then, the waistcoat has been somewhat absent from mainstream fashion. But in 2020 the celebrity and high fashion worlds returned to this timeless piece from Victoria Beckham to the catwalk the waistcoat is making waves once again. At Julian Road we have always had a deep passion for waistcoats, and they have never...

Did you know there are many different types of tweed?   According to the Oxford English Dictionary Tweed is defined as “a type of thick, rough cloth made of wool that has small spots of different coloured thread in it’’. This is a good starting point but doesn’t truly reflect the huge range of textures, styles, thicknesses and origins of tweed.   We generally consider tweed to refer to wool-based woven fabrics, and this is true for the most part, but just as there are hundreds of different wools and yarns, there are thousands of different tweeds. There are even...

As the appetite to shop locally and support local businesses grows, we’re taking part in the first-ever Made in UK Day on Tuesday 9 March 2021.   The Made in UK Day campaign has been created by Make it British to celebrate their 10 year anniversary.  Started as a blog by ex-retail buyer Kate Hills to champion all the wonderful products that are made in the UK, the Make it British website has now been visited by more than 6.5 million people looking to buy UK-made products and search for UK manufacturers.  This year alone has seen a 68% increase...

Finding the perfect gift for your mum on Mother’s Day can be tricky at the best of time but with Covid-19 still on the loose, this year will be even trickier. When buying gifts I like them to be personal and thoughtful, something far easier to do when shopping in person, at markets and little independent shops, rather than online. But this year we are all having to give in to the world of online shopping for our presents. So, to make the present shopping a little less tricky this year I have come up with the Julian Road Mother’s...

Wax cotton jackets have always been an essential element in traditional country wear, loved for their practicality - waterproof, thornproof, tough as old boots with pockets large enough for a couple of rabbits but maybe not sartorially elegant. The well worn wax jacket has come a long way in the last few years in terms of both styling and the cloth itself. Here at Julian Road we use a fantastic Staywax from British Millerain for all our jackets, the cloth has all the benefits of traditional waxes whilst offering greater versatility being machine washable and softer with a dry finish...

We received our latest batch of Harris Tweed this week, a beautiful blue and charcoal herringbone and my personal favourite a 'cookies and cream' herringbone with a rust and blue windowpane overcheck. I can't wait for the first garment samples to be produced. Harris tweed is one of the most desirable textiles in the world, produced in the Outer Hebrides, on one island with two names - Harris and Lewis.It has a fascinating heritage with the weavers often having learnt the Craft from their forefathers over many years.... Firstly raw undyed wool is taken to the island mills where it...

After some head scratching and an intense few days we are happy to announce the relaunch of the Julian Road website, and our latest range of contemporary country clothing for the lives we live, with fashion and function for walking, riding, shooting, eating, drinking and having fun.