Isn’t it terribly British to love tweed? What other fabric carries such connotations of class and social standing? Whether it’s the aristocratic Prince of Wales check or a Rupert Bear plaid, tweed has been a hallmark of country life since Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson first met at Burrough Court in the Thirties.

Tweed, tartan and paisley are undergoing a renaissance — and are becoming an alternative to dour black. Tweed once meant a stiff, itchy cloth and an outdated look but, thanks to a dash of cashmere, velvet or slub silk, it is taking a step towards modernity.

The resurgence began last year. As every Moss and her dog headed to pastures green, tweed’s practicality and charm became more apparent.

This season tweed has become sleek and refined — now worn in the city, it has had to adapt to corporate demands. It’s more groomed; skirts are close-fitting, jackets cropped and slimline.

But it does have its limits. Vivienne Westwood manipulated it too much in her Anglomania collection, so that it looked more like a museum exhibit than something that you’d actually wear. The key is a hint of whimsical irony; a pair of thigh-skimming checked shorts can still give the air of a lady of the manor.

And this season it is all about the shorts — they’re a much more exciting prospect than a plaid A-line. Pull on a pair of plum-coloured tights; sling on a fitted check jacket. Why, you might even rouge your lips, for tweed is all you need for a little pastoral sophistication.

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