Tweed originated in Scotland and Ireland as a way for farmers to battle the chilly, damp climate. The cloth was rough, thick, and felted and the colors were muted and earthy. The cloth was made in the Tweed Valley, and some believe that is the origin of the word. A more popular legend has it that the name tweed is a twist on the Scottish word for “tweel” or twill, which is the signature weave of the fabric. In 1826, a London clerk accidentally transcribed an order to “tweel” and wrote “tweed” instead, and from there the name came into use.