S.E.H Kelly

YoungM · Mar 5, 2021

sehkelly said:
Afternoon all

Here's an update on the previously mooted balmacaan project with Styleforum (codename: Balmacaan Project with Styleforum) ...

It is no longer mooted. Rather, It is definite and it is happening.

For anyone not privy to discussions thus far, we will be making a special version of the balmacaan along with and alongside Styleforum. The balmacaan proved the most popular choice among the people here on the thread when the idea was introduced last month, and in particular, a version slightly longer than our current offering (below).

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The next step is the fun part: picking cloth.

I've been in discussion with the mill in Donegal which supplies every year the cloth for our balmacaan, and received this week a selection of tweeds with a herringbone design. These are all the same weight (and indeed, exactly the same quality) as the barleycorn tweed used for the balmacaan above.

Again, herringbone was a popular suggestion when the idea was first discussed here last month. However, we're by no means wedded to it, and the only governing criteria for the cloth for the balmacaan are the weight (the weight must be coat weight, i.e. about the same as used previously) and from the same mill (we're loyal) ... that's it. The herringbone seems to have wide appeal, but nice alternatively might be a plain version of the cloth, since the Donegal yarn is already alive with those neps and burrs of colour. Or, indeed, a barleycorn again.

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What do people think is the best way to go forward? One of those voting polls? Perhaps some more photographs, closer, of the tweeds here, and a description of the colours for any members for whom descriptions would be useful? Bigger swatches of a handful of them? I am at your service!

I was thinking if we can trim the selection eventually down to a final three, we could make mock-ups of the balmacaan -- i.e. a collar and front -- before a final vote and then ... we make some coats (after the summer).

Paul (and Sara)

Extremely exciting!

Personally, I'm partial to barleycorn or herringbone over plain. In terms of colors presented, I like the dark grey, light grey, and tan.

Perhaps a narrowing series of polls - first fabric type, then broader color family, then larger swatches and more photos before a final vote?

WizardVigilante · Mar 5, 2021

moimael said:
Amazing!

I'm partial to the second or third swatches on the left (brown/black, brown/dark brown) ...

This would get my vote also. I'm all greyed and navyed out in the outerwear department.

kongmw · Mar 5, 2021

Personally would be more inclined to go with brown over grey as I already have two grey/charcoal bals...

thatboyo · Mar 5, 2021

I prefer herringbone, then dark grey, mid grey, and dark brown.
The grey that Drakes had would be ideal.

Csus2 · Mar 5, 2021

I'd also prefer the 3 shades of dark greys or blues (unsure of the exact shade) at the very top of the first photo. I've two of yer brown coats already. But whatever, this is exciting!!

SimonC · Mar 5, 2021

A lighter shade of brown, barleycorn or plain, would be my vote

NO MERCY · Mar 5, 2021

Great stuff!

More photos, closer, of the options would be great.

I particularly like the lighter colors and the high contrast herringbones.
There are already plenty of options for grey, navy, and other rainy day colored coats. Let's do something a bit different with this opportunity.

Spaghettimatt · Mar 5, 2021

I would probably be on board for any conservative-ish mid to dark brown donegal in herringbone or plain weave.

sehkelly · Mar 5, 2021

NO MERCY said:
Great stuff!

More photos, closer, of the options would be great.

I particularly like the lighter colors and the high contrast herringbones.
There are already plenty of options for grey, navy, and other rainy day colored coats. Let's do something a bit different with this opportunity.

More photos! Will do.

sehkelly · Mar 5, 2021

NO MERCY said:
Great stuff!

More photos, closer, of the options would be great.

I particularly like the lighter colors and the high contrast herringbones.
There are already plenty of options for grey, navy, and other rainy day colored coats. Let's do something a bit different with this opportunity.

Cheers.

I am equal parts THIS (using a cloth out of the ordinary) and equal parts THAT (doing what we know best).

sehkelly · Mar 5, 2021

YoungM said:
Perhaps a narrowing series of polls - first fabric type, then broader color family, then larger swatches and more photos before a final vote?

I like this plan but must admit I jumped the gun and went straight to the herringbone after the discussions previously. However, if there is clamour for seeing plain versions of herringbones that we post (or any other pattern) then it's certainly something I will raise with the mill to see what is possible.

sehkelly · Mar 5, 2021

moimael said:
Amazing!

I'm partial to the second or third swatches on the left (brown/black, brown/dark brown) or eventually dark grey (is it dark grey on the top row?), but wouldn't be against a plain Donegal or barleycorn either. A poll is probably the way to go.

Cheers. I'll take some photographs more close-up next week and describe them for anyone whose sight or monitor doesn't allow them to assess them as well as they'd like.

Jinbei · Mar 5, 2021

I vote for herringbone in blue or grey as I passed last year balmacaan because of the barleycorn design, a bit too rough for my liking ! It is a great initiative

Crispyj · Mar 5, 2021

I have the Blue Barleycorn. I support the Grey herringbone.

Blackmaged · Mar 5, 2021

My vote would be for the 1st+2nd from the left on the top row, or the 1st+3rd+4th from the left on the bottom

Probably would be best to manage this with a poll of sorts. I've seen some similar initiatives involving a Google form with images added to the answer selections

sehkelly said:
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