James Blunt's Bespoke Green Tweed Suit for The Celebrity Traitors
Quick answer: The bespoke green tweed suit James Blunt wears on The Celebrity Traitors was made by Barrington Ayre, shirtmaker and tailor of Market Place, Cirencester. It was cut and made by hand in our Cotswold workroom from William Bliss Cotswold Country Tweed.
When the castle doors opened on the new series of The Celebrity Traitors, we were watching a little more closely than most. Among the cast was singer-songwriter James Blunt, and the green tweed suit he wore was made for him by us here in Cirencester.
This post covers how the suit came together, the cloth we chose, and how you can commission a green tweed suit of your own.
The commission: a country suit with a sense of occasion
The Celebrity Traitors is filmed in the Scottish Highlands, so the brief called for something that looked at home on a cold hillside and at a candlelit round table. Tweed answers both. It is warm, hard-wearing and photographs beautifully, with texture that reads clearly on camera.
James Blunt served as an officer in the Life Guards before his music career, and a well-cut suit in heritage cloth suits that background. The aim was a suit with military neatness through the shoulder and the relaxed character of a country garment.
The cloth: William Bliss green herringbone tweed
Green is the colour most associated with the British countryside, from estate tweeds to shooting coats. We chose a green tweed woven in Britain, with enough depth of colour to hold its own under studio lighting without looking flat.
The fabric comes from the Cotswold Country Tweed range by William Bliss, an archive collection from the old William Bliss tweed mill at Chipping Norton. The cloth is a glorious green herringbone, reference WB28.
Every Barrington Ayre suit starts with the cloth. We work with British mills and heritage cloth houses, and we keep a library of tweeds in the Cirencester showroom so clients can handle the bunches before they choose.
The cut and the details
- Three-piece, single-breasted
- Notch lapel
- Two-button fastening
- Classic slanted side pockets
- Working cuff buttonholes
- Single-breasted waistcoat with notch lapels
- High-waisted trousers with button and tab adjusters
- Green shot lining with a special underarm mobile phone pocket
Many of these details come from the history of country dress. Slanted pockets were angled for easy reach on horseback, and side adjusters keep high-waisted trousers neat without a belt. The underarm phone pocket is a modern touch, hidden in the lining so the line of the jacket stays clean. In a bespoke suit, each detail is a choice the client makes with the tailor.
Why green tweed works, on screen and off
Green tweed sits naturally in a landscape of moss, heather and stone. It is the traditional colour of the estate and the shooting field, which is why it has stayed in British country wardrobes for well over a century.
It is also more versatile than people expect. A green tweed suit can be worn as a full suit for a country wedding, a race meeting or a shooting lunch. The jacket alone works with cords, flannels or jeans, and the trousers pair well with a navy or oatmeal knit.
To wear it well, keep the shirt simple. A white, pale blue or cream Oxford cloth shirt lets the cloth lead, while a wool tie in rust, burgundy or mustard picks out the flecks in the weave. Brown suede or country brogues finish it.
Commission your own green tweed suit
Every suit we make is cut for one person. Commissioning a bespoke green tweed suit with Barrington Ayre follows four steps:
- Consultation at our Market Place showroom in Cirencester, or with our visiting tailor service.
- Choosing the cloth from our library of British tweeds.
- Measuring and fittings, so the suit is shaped to you.
- Delivery, typically around eight weeks from order.
You can see more of our work for the series in our Celebrity Traitors collection, Book a consultation or visit us at Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
Frequently asked questions
Who made James Blunt's green tweed suit on The Celebrity Traitors?
Barrington Ayre, a bespoke shirtmaker and tailor based in Market Place, Cirencester, in the Cotswolds.
Where was the suit made?
In the Barrington Ayre workroom in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, by our Savile Row-trained tailor.
What cloth is James Blunt's suit made from?
A green herringbone tweed woven in Britain by William Bliss, from their Cotswold Country Tweed range, reference WB28.
Can I buy a suit like James Blunt's?
Yes. We make bespoke green tweed suits to order, cut to your own pattern and in your choice of British tweed.
How long does a bespoke tweed suit take?
Around eight weeks from order to delivery, including fittings.
Did Barrington Ayre make other outfits for The Celebrity Traitors?
Yes. But we are not allowed to talk about it yet!
Do I need to visit Cirencester?
You are welcome at our showroom, and our visiting tailor service also covers several regions of the UK.