At Harris Tweed Hebrides, every fabric we weave carries a story. Some are newly written, while others reach back through generations. For our Autumn–Winter 2026 collection, we were privileged to bring the past into the present, drawing inspiration from a Harris Tweed® sporting jacket estimated to be over 130 years old.

The jacket was generously donated to us more than a decade ago by a couple then in their 80s. It had belonged to their father, who wore it at turn of the last century. To hold a garment of such age and see its remarkable condition is a rare gift, which we were privileged to accept. The colours remain vivid, the weave is still strong, and the unmistakable character of Harris Tweed® endures—a testament to the durability and quality of the cloth.

This extraordinary jacket became the central inspiration for one of the colourways and structures in our AW26 collection. To see a piece of cloth retain its integrity for well over a century is to understand the very essence of Harris Tweed®. It proves that our fabric is not bound by fleeting trends but instead carries an agelessness that allows it to remain as relevant today as it was 130 years ago.

In developing this cloth, we looked closely at the original jacket—its colour palette, its yarn combinations, and its weave structure. The remarkable condition of the fabric allowed us to carefully mimic its character, staying true to the inspiration while giving it new life for today. Recreating the fabric was more than an act of design; it was something we felt compelled to bring back to life.

By reimagining this piece of living history, we have ensured that a pattern once worn in the sporting fields of the 19th century can once again be experienced—woven into contemporary garments that will be worn, loved, and passed on for generations to come.

Every metre of Harris Tweed® is more than cloth. It is tradition, culture, and endurance woven together on the Isle of Lewis and Harris. It tells a story of slow craft and heritage, of landscapes and livelihoods, and of fabrics that transcend time itself.

When you choose Harris Tweed Hebrides, you are not just selecting fabric—you are joining a legacy. A legacy that, as this 130-year-old jacket shows, is built to last a lifetime and beyond.