The need for tweed

The signature material for fieldsport fatigues is now an internationally recognised brand. Patrick Laurie looks back at the origins of tweed

- Patrick Laurie

Ten years ago, I was invited by a Scandinavian clothing brand to cover the launch of a new range of sporting clothing. The grand unveiling would take place at a sporting lodge in Sweden, and there would be an opportunity to trial the clothing during a day’s driven wild boar shooting. Everything was paid for, and the agent awaited my reply with enthusiasm.

I was minding my own business in a field of cows when the email came through. Invitations like this never come to me, and I had to wonder if there had been some mistake. Decked out in a boilersuit and black farm wellies, my work is usually focused on practical conservation for wild game, and my tastes lie very much at the muddy end of the sporting spectrum. Fortune rarely smiles upon me in this way, but I had been writing for Shooting Times for several years and my name must have got mixed up with another, more refined contributor. I replied that I was certainly interested but surely the invite would more suited to somebody better versed in matters of style and fashion. I heard back almost immediately; there had been no mistake – “Patrick, we look forward to meeting you in Stockholm.”