Yarn Dyed
April 7th, 2008
If you ever considered how the dark business suit, the trench coat, school tie, sporting tie, gabardine, and tweed evolved. Plus the commercialisation of madder print, then you may be quite surprised to find that they all originated in England and have become the hallmark of classicism. They have been included in designer brands collections year after year. I hear the Converse All Star is back in fashion, this did not originate in England, but it's just a good example highlighting the difference between what is fashionable (short term) and what is style (long term)
Here are just a few historic examples of the evolution of style and the progress of fashion.
Thomas Burberry opened his own business in 1856 in Basingstoake, Hampshire. His commitment to both form and function in apparel design has been significant throughout the development of the company and its products. Noticing how local shepherds and farmers wore linen smocks, which were cool in summer and warm in the winter, he attempted to apply the same principles to other clothing. In 1879 he developed a fabric which was weatherproofed in the yarn before weaving, using a secret process and then proofed again in the piece, using the same undisclosed formula. The new material was untearable and weatherproof, whilst cool and breathable. He called the cloth 'gabardine' and registered the word as a trademark.
The English Madder silk tie is recognised worldwide as an icon of British style. It's a home grown classic with a proud heritage and a distinct provenance. The "madder" part of this lovely phrase refers to a natural dye from a Eurasian herbaceous plant, Rubia tinctoria.
Its continuing success through decades of rise and fall owe much too scientific intervention. The colouring agent in madder root called alizarin was in fact first chemically extracted and then synthesized in 1869 by two English chemists. Although the dyeing process, even today, requires a variety of painstaking steps, synthesized alizarin brought the price within the reach of commercial producers. Testimony to the significant part science plays ensuring the longevity of styles and textiles. Silk dyed in this manner is characterized by a dusty-looking finish and a feel (referred to as a chalk hand by the experts) very much like fine suede, and a matte finish.
'The well-dressed man about town should wear clothes that are simple, functional and discreet', George Bryan "Beau" Brummell commanded in the early 19th century. By advocating well-cut, tailored clothes, Brummell essentially invented what has come to be known as the "British look."
Brummell rejected 18th century frills (dandy man). His mandate, a dark blue coat, buff-coloured pantaloons and waistcoat, black boots and a clean white neck cloth, survives today asthedark business suit, white shirt and silk tie
He was particularly adamant about the whiteness of his cravats. As he made his daily rounds from the park, various gentleman's clubs and fashionable homes, Brummell would stop and change his cravat as often as three times a day. He preferred neck cloths that were lightly starched and carefully folded.
The simplicity of Brummell's uniform was adopted by everyone from many working men to his friend, the Prince Regent, later King George IV. For the first time, poorer men hoping to make their way in the world could easily imitate upper class fashion.
And now to the origination of most enduring fashion accessories for men: In 1880, the rowing club at Oxford Universities Exeter College, invented the first school ties. After an emotional win over their rivals, they celebrated by removing their ribbon hat bands from their boater hats and tying them, four in hand around their necks. When they ordered a set of ties, with the colours from their hatbands, they had accidentally created the modern school tie. Schools, clubs, and athletic ties appeared in abundance. Some schools had different ties for various grades, levels of achievement, and for graduates. Thanks to historians and their method of accurate documentation all the original college colours are still available from archived samples and replicate ties can be made to order.
But let's not forget the perfect companion for your tie? Cufflinks of course.
Just a hint of how styles evolved and fashion has progressed throughout the ages.
If you would like to learn some interesting historic anecdotes about the evolution of style and fashion follow this link http://patrickmcmurraysfashionaccessories.blogspot.com if you would like to see some stunning silk ties, cufflinks, belts and wallets, follow this link http://www.patrickmcmurray.com
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 100 Soft Wool Hand Dyed Knitting Yarn Worsted Wt 9  US $.99
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 NORO Kureyon 236 wool knitting yarn Lot C US $7.95
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 NORO Kureyon 255 wool knitting yarn Lot B US $7.95
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 NEW Hand dyed 100 wool yarn C12 US $.99
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 Promo 100 Soft Wool Hand Dyed Knitting Yarn Worsted8 US $.99
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 100 Soft Wool Hand Dyed Knitting Yarn Worsted Wt 10 US $.99
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 4 SKEINS 100 COTTON YARN 2 PLY NATURAL US $7.99
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 100 Soft Wool Hand Dyed Knitting Yarn Worsted Wt 6 US $.99
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 NEW Hand dyed 100 wool yarn P06 US $.99
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 100 Soft Wool Hand Dyed Knitting Yarn Worsted Wt 17 US $.99
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 CONE 100 RAYON CHENILLE YARN 2000YPP SNOW WHITE US $9.99
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 Promo 100 Soft Wool Hand Dyed Knitting Yarn Worsted9 US $1.04
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 NEW Hand dyed 100 wool multi color worsted wt yarn C22 US $.99
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 silk Silk Fabric Silk cloth US $120.00
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 100 Soft Wool Hand Dyed Knitting Yarn Worsted Wt 18 US $.99
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 Silk Fabric Silk cloth US $120.00
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 Schaefer Anne Yarn Sock Hand Dyed Fingering Wool Yarn US $25.00
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 Yarn Handpainted Loopy Mohair Boucle Hand Dyed Worsted US $9.95
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Yarn Handpainted Loopy Mohair Boucle Hand Dyed Worsted US $9.95
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Yarn Handpainted Loopy Mohair Boucle Hand Dyed Worsted US $9.95
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Yarn Handpainted Loopy Mohair Boucle Hand Dyed Worsted US $9.95
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Yarn Handpainted Loopy Mohair Boucle Hand Dyed Worsted US $9.95
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Yarn Handpainted Loopy Mohair Boucle Hand Dyed Worsted US $9.95
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 100 Soft Wool Hand Dyed Knitting Yarn Worsted Wt 15 US $.99
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 sale combo yarn blend NEW mohair alpaca finches US $8.49
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 NEW Hand dyed 100 wool multi color worsted wt yarn C25 US $.99
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 Manos Cotton Stria Navy US $7.95
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 Manos Cotton Stria Mint Green US $7.95
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 Manos Cotton Stria Pistachio US $7.95
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 Manos Cotton Stria Lavender US $7.95
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 combo yarn blend angora rabbit mohair spring seas alpac US $11.90
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 combo yarn blend angora rabbit silk mohair woodsy US $11.90
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 100 Soft Wool Hand Dyed Knitting Yarn Worsted Wt 3 US $.99
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 Promo 100 Soft Wool Hand Dyed Knitting Yarn Worsted10 US $1.04
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 NEW Hand dyed 100 Wool Blue Worsted weight Yarn P07 US $.99
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 Bulky Weight Mulberry Silk Yarn 250 grms 2 Ply Dyed US $9.99
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 100 Soft Wool Hand Dyed Knitting Yarn Worsted Wt 14 US $.99
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 NEW Hand dyed 100 Wool Worsted wt Yarn Aqua Green P10 US $.99
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 DREAM IN COLOR SMOOSHY SOCK YARN NOVEMBER MUSE VS280 US $21.50
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 Bamboo Top Roving Sliver Spinning Fiber 8oz US $20.99
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Pinzon 160-Gram Yarn-Dyed Flannel Standard Sham, Hyde Park List Price: $20.00 Sale Price: $14.99 Average Rating:   |
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Pinzon 160-Gram Yarn-Dyed Flannel Queen Sheet Set, Black/White Plaid List Price: $80.00 Sale Price: $39.99 Average Rating:  |
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Pinzon 160-Gram Yarn-Dyed Flannel Full/Queen Duvet Cover, Hyde Park List Price: $70.00 Sale Price: $39.99 Average Rating: |
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Pinzon 160-Gram Yarn-Dyed Flannel Standard Sham, Blackwatch Plaid List Price: $24.00 Sale Price: $21.84 Average Rating:  |
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Pinzon 160-Gram Yarn-Dyed Flannel Standard Sham, Blue Plaid List Price: $20.00 Sale Price: $15.73 Average Rating: |
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Cascade Dyed Fixation Effects Yarn #9843 Purple Passion Sale Price: $5.49 |
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Fun and Funky. This yarn is beautifully vivid and |
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44'' Wide Yarn Dyed Seersucker Plaid Beige/Green Fabric By The Yard Sale Price: $7.98 |
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This light weight yarn dyed cotton seersucker fabric is ultra comfortable to wear. It is perfect for creating suits shirts shorts light weight robes dresses skirts and children's clothing |
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44'' Wide Holiday Yarn Dyed Plaid Olive/Wine Fabric By The Yard Sale Price: $7.98 |
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This woven cotton shirting fabric is yarn dyed and perfect for creating stylish light weight jackets blouses tops and skirts. You can even use it for quilting and home decor accents. The color palette includes metallic gold olive wine and dark olive. |
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Cascade Hand Dyed Pastaza Yarn #9824 Forest Sale Price: $11.95 |
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Pastaza is a wonderfully soft wool blend, chunky |
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Cascade Hand Dyed Pastaza Yarn #9825 Isle of Skye Sale Price: $11.95 |
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Pastaza is a wonderfully soft wool blend, chunky |
Posted in Yarn | 
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