JUST British Heritage

British Heritage 

This season, the high street has been showing an obvious influence of British Heritage fashion in A/W11 collections. With stores such as All Saints, Zara, H&M and even F&F at Tesco's displaying designs with a similar handwriting to garments found in Jack Wills and Toast, both typically British Heritage inspired stores. The clearest way to understand the impact of this trend is the sheer volume of tweed on the high street.

All Saints, Louvre Tailcoat

Zara, Double Breasted Fur Coat

H&M, Jacket

F&F, Limited Edition Heritage check buttoned cape

Jack Wills, Cosgrave Blazer

Toast, Herringbone Tweed Promenade Coat

At the high end level, Burberry Prorsum A/W11 showed tweed outerwear in fiery orange/brown and mossy green and Daks, a British Heritage brand, has 'has reworked its traditional checks and tweeds into an altogether more contemporary collection for autumn' (news.style.com, 2011); comprising of rich autumnal shades- 'leafy greens', 'chocolate browns' and 'ever-classic navy', creating a collection that is sophisticated with an insouciant charm.

Daks, AW11, news.style.com

The reason behind the emergence of British Heritage fashion could be due to the recent recession. At times of financial struggle people tend to want to go back to what they know and be amongst home comforts. British Heritage and tweed evokes wealth and country living, at these times both are hard to come by and so with affordable brands such as H&M and F&F adopting the look, anyone can feel a part of the trend.


Britain's financial struggle has also enhanced the focus of bringing manufacturing back to Britain. Jack Wills has developed British collaborations with Fox Brothers (using Fox Brothers' tweed fabrics for limited edition blazers), Cordings (releasing a cord trousers range in vibrant colours)and NPS Shoes Ltd. (which manufacture Brogues and Chelsea boots for the footwear range).

'Fabulously British Collaborations', Jack Wills Autumn 11 Handbook