Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday the 18th of June, a day to celebrate all the special dads.
From classic tweed blazers to luxury knitwear that can replace that jumper he always wears (you know the one), our carefully curated gift guide is packed with dad-approved gift ideas.
For the racing fan, take a look at our Donegal Tweed caps, a timeless accessory crafted in tweed designed and woven at our mill in Donegal. Or, if your dad is a fan of the sun, discover our new range of cotton polo shirts and Irish Linen shirts – two summer essentials.
Whatever you go for, he will know it was chosen with love.
Experts in tailoring since the 1940s, weknow what it takes to make a good suit. This season, the designs are straightforward and timeless with a focus on high-quality, natural fibre fabrics. What more would you expect from weavers of fine cloth for over 150 years and five generations?
The pallet features earthy shades of brown, camel and green, inspired by the landscape of Donegal, as well as classic navy and greys with subtle and unexpected pops of colour throughout.
The range of summer-weight suits feature styles in 100% Irish linen and lofty blends of cashmere, linen and wool, designed and woven at our mill in Donegal and perfect as the weather warms. Laid back and carefree, these suits are just made for destination weddings, add an extra dimension with the coordinating waistcoats.
Staying true to our roots in Donegal Tweeds, this season sees two striking suits in 100% wool, woven at our mill. The rich dark green glencheck is flecked with the colourful neps Donegal Tweed is known for, while the classic Green Windowpane Check offers a timeless country look. Style with a shirt in 100% Irish Linen for a contemporary update.
With styles across classic and tailored fits, refresh your weekday wardrobe with a host of options for the office. Our travel suits are designed to stay looking crisp on the move and designed for maximum versatility while the flexible Mix & Match range sees jackets, trousers and waistcoats sold separately, allowing you to find the best fit for you.
Whether you are a future groom, a guest or want to update your 9 to 5 wardrobe, we have a range of tailoring options to suit every occasion.
We have been specialising in exquisite tailoring since the 1940s. Our design philosophy has always promoted the concept of ‘slow fashion’ through timeless styles designed to be worn again and again. High-quality, long-lasting products define our DNA.
When it comes to suiting, there is no such thing as a ‘one size fits all’ approach. The first thing to ask yourself when suit shopping is “what are my needs?”, followed by “where am I going?”. Whether you are a future groom, a guest or want to update your 9 – 5 wardrobe, we have a range of tailoring options for every occasion.
Let us help you find your perfect fit.
Mix & Match
In our flexible Mix & Match range, jackets, trousers and waistcoats are sold separately, allowing you to find the fit that suits you best.
Designed for maximum versatility, these are styles for your weekday wardrobe, or a special occasion. Patterns in this collection are classic. The jacket and trousers make a great workday choice, add a waistcoat for a special occasion, or pair the trousers with our cotton cashmere knit for a smarter casual look.
Bearing all the hallmarks of quality associated with Magee 1866, our 2-piece and 3-piece suits are crafted in an array of luxury fabrics.
From Donegal Tweeds and Irish Linens, designed and woven at our mill in Donegal, to lightweight wools and blends from mills in the UK and Italy, you will find a style for you. For those on the move, the Travel Suit is a practical option for the working day, wool-rich with added stretch for comfort.
The classic dinner suit never goes out of style. A timeless choice for black tie weddings and events, Mix & Match for an exquisite fit and add your own twist with a contemporary cashmere-blend turtleneck.
Our Made to Measure service, available exclusively in our three Magee 1866 stores, combines our expert tailoring with our love of luxury fabrics.
With dozens of fabrics available to choose from, many of which are designed and woven at our mill in Donegal. Our tailoring experts will guide you through the selection of every detail – linings, buttons, collar melton, piping and stitching. You can even add personalised embroidery to your suit or jacket for that extra special finishing touch.
New in knitwear, expertly crafted in Scotland for Magee 1866.
There is a long history and heritage of knitting and textiles in Scotland. As with the Irish Aran jumper, Scotland has its own traditional styles, most famously the Fair Isle, named after the remote island, halfway between Shetland and Orkney to the north of Scotland.
Originally handknit, the intricate patterns of Fair Isle knits were passed down through generations. The vibrant colours came from natural dyes, similar to those traditionally used to create the colourful neps of Donegal Tweeds – indigo and madder gave blues and reds, with lichens, berries and flowers producing a rainbow of shades.
Industrialisation paved the way for mass production of finer, more delicate knits and so began Scotland’s legacy for producing the highest quality cashmere and lambswool knitwear.
Clyde Fair IsleJura Fair Isle
Fair Isle styles, the Jura and Clyde are full of charm, the two-tone colourways give a contemporary slant to the traditional design.
Knit in the round with a seamless construction for extra comfort, our Made in Scotland pieces are crafted in all-natural fibres and offer a rich, soft feeling that cannot be imitated.
Tory JumperLomond Jumper
The Lomand and Toryare perfect for layering, the rich bases are scattered throughout with colourful flecks in contrasting shades, adding the tonal texture synonymous with Donegal Tweeds.
“Cosying up on the sofa with the kids under one of the new brightly coloured throws to watch a Christmas film (‘A Boy Called Christmas’ is our favourite) is my idea of bliss. If my children are reading this (or husband!) this is what I would love for Christmas.”
“I love the new Sheelin jacket in the Blackwatch check. It’s warm and comfortable but smart enough to pair with jeans for a Christmas night out with friends.”
“You can never have too much knitwear. I love the Achill polo jumper, it’s a nice casual alternative to a shirt under a Donegal Tweed jacket or just on its own. Lightweight and super soft thanks to the cashmere, yet warm and cosy. A great layering piece.”
“One of my favourite things to do on Christmas morning is to go out for a walk with family and plan the day ahead. Weather in the Northwest can be unpredictable to say the least, so the Nessa coat would be perfect! The quilting and longer length mean I can pop it on over a jumper and jeans and wrap up well in one of my Magee 1866 scarves. Ideal!”
“Christmas is a really busy time, travelling around to catch up with family and friends with lots of different events. I would love to find the Clodagh shirt jacket (the herringbone one in a luxury baby alpaca blend) under the tree, it’s so versatile and will go with so many different looks – both smart and casual.“
This year, we are offering 20% off online and in store* as part of our Black Friday event.
We always encourage considered shopping, and investing in quality pieces, so want you to use this opportunity to find something you will enjoy for years to come.
Donegal Tweed Jackets & Blazers
Crafted in tweed, designed and woven at our mill in Donegal, our selection of Donegal Tweed blazers for men and women are designed to stand the test of time. We pay special attention to the fit and comfort of each garment. The fabric is luxuriously soft, washed in the peaty waters of the River Eske. Fabrics are colourful – country inspired greens and browns crossed with blue and burgundy checks, classic Salt & Pepper urban blacks and greys with a hint of seasonal red and a range of timeless blues – from navy to contemporary micro checks.
Organic cotton and cashmere are blended for a touch of luxury in this selection of lightweight knits. The high-quality, natural fibres make these pieces ideal for layering, making them go-to styles you will reach time and time again. Styles for men includes 1970’s inspired turtlenecks, polo necks (a great alternative to a shirt) and for women classic crew and V-necks. Colours include black, honey yellow, spice red, navy, moss green and grey.
A classic shape, the belted Rebecca shirt dress looks just as chic with leather boots in winter as it does with trainers in spring. A style you can wear all year round in two striking Liberty of London prints and a lush striped Irish Linen, designed, woven, and finished at our mill.
Renewable and biodegradable, linen comes from an all-natural source, offering a rich, soft feeling that cannot be imitated by synthetic fibres. It is also truly sustainable – requiring less water and land to grow than cotton, for example, and it can be processed without chemicals.
The relaxed look of linen and its natural breathable properties make it the perfect choice for pieces we wear close to our skin like shirts. We love to style a linen shirt under a Donegal Tweed jacket or gilet for a put together look
Designed and woven at our mill in Donegal, our talented designers look to the local land and seascapes for inspiration when creating our range of throws. Crafted using the finest natural fibres, these cosy throws make a great gift for friends, or for yourself!
Our versatile range of knitwear focuses on natural fibres. From lofty lambswool to rich blends of organic cotton and cashmere, these are styles to keep you warm this season and beyond.
Lambswool
Naturally insulating, our styles in 100% lambswool make great layering pieces. Style over a cotton shirt and under a Donegal Tweed jacket for put-together, comfortable look.
Wool is also a resilient, natural product and has the potential for a long and useful life. With care and attention, you can safeguard your knitwear and it will last for season after season.
In our knitwear care guide, you will discover everything you need to know to look after your knits from how to freshen up between wears, to spot cleaning, de-pilling, washing, reshaping, folding and storing.
We are proud to champion sustainability as a fundamental part of our ethos which has evolved over the last 150 years. Our weaving mill predominantly uses biodegradable and renewable natural fibres like wool and linen, and our sustainable message is continued through our increased use of organic cotton.
Cotton is one of the most widely grown crops in the world. Organic cotton employs methods that have a lower impact on the environment – it is non-GMO, (genetically modified organism), non-toxic and its production reduces the risk to local biodiversity.
The organic cotton used in our rich, cashmere blend knitwear is grown in compliance with BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) Better Cotton Principles and Criteria, these include promoting water stewardship, soil health and the concept of decent work.
Our design philosophy has always promoted the sustainable concept of ‘slow fashion’ through timeless collections, where our pieces are designed and made to last. We are continually striving to improve our sourcing, products and ways of working for a better world. Looking to organic cotton is just a small part of this ongoing process.
Great care is taken in creating our knitwear, these pieces will add a touch of luxury to your wardrobe and are designed to be worn and enjoyed for as long as possible.
Our Winter 2022 outerwear showcases the best of what we do, taking our unique fabrics, designed and woven at our mill in Donegal, and creating timeless pieces.
These versatile and adaptable pieces are designed to be styled multiple ways and to integrate well into your existing winter wardrobe. We dipped into our weaving archives and revived some exciting patterns, adding a contemporary slant.
WOMEN’S
Nessa Quilted Coat
Josie Tweed Coat in Oversized Glencheck
Jessica Donegal Tweed Coat in Charcoal Grey Herringbone
Cara Parka
The women’s outerwear centres on design but also function. New to the collection, the Nessa quilted coat is a future wardrobe staple. A relaxed fit finishing mid-thigh, this is the style to wear while on the school runs or shopping at the weekend. Another new style, the Cara is a more put together take on the parka coat, a sophisticated silhouette featuring a wide, oversized collar, deep patch pockets in a wool blackwatch check, designed and woven in Donegal and coated with Teflon for protection against the elements.
Constantly developing new and interesting styles in our own fabrics, theClodagh overshirt is a triumph. Simple, unstructured, and utterly stylish, the Clodagh is presented in a modern blue check with pops of silver lurex and a luxurious baby alpaca and lambswool blend herringbone, a cloth which pays full homage to our heritage.
MEN’S
Corrib Tweed Coat in Glencheck
Melvin Donegal Tweed Jacket
Erne Donegal Tweed Coat in Blue Salt & Pepper
Sheelin Quilted Jacket in Blackwatch Check
The men’s outerwear offering is enhanced this season by two new casual styles. Ideal for seasonal transitions, the Sheelin quilted jacket is a short lightweight style available in two showerproof styles – faux suede and a luxurious Blackwatch wool check, designed and woven in Donegal, coated with Teflon. Heavily influenced by Chairman, and 4th generation family member, Lynn Temple’s love of the outdoors, the Melvin is a chunky shirt jacket in tweed, lined with a lofty fleece. A wardrobe workhorse, this style, in two rich winter checks, looks just as good in the great outdoors as it does on a city break.
Joining classic coat styles like the Erne and Corrib coats in signature Donegal Tweeds, the Moross duffle coat is a heavier weight style for colder months. The ultimate winter coat in a navy and charcoal Glen check tweed, the Moross features all the details synonymous with a duffle coat, this cosy style is a timeless investment piece.
Complete the look with our selection of scarves and pashminas, designed and woven at our mill in Donegal using the finest natural fibres.
Every year in September we take time to celebrate our rich heritage and as a 5th generation family business first established in the 1800s, we have lots in the archives to reflect on. This year, we will be focusing on design and what has changed in over 150 years.
In the 19th century, founder John Magee, a wholesale cloth merchant, would visit monthly tweed markets across South-West Donegal, trading directly with the weavers. The then hardwearing, coarse fabric was handwoven across Donegal in the homes of part-time fishermen and farmers as the perfect fabric for dissipating the damp and cold weather, so often found in the North-West of Ireland, a far cry from the luxurious cloths being produced today.
Traditionally, there have always been two ‘true’ Donegal tweed patterns – Salt & Pepper and Herringbone (said to be inspired by fishbones), but that didn’t mean it was always the same, there was lots of opportunity to add colour and personality with the signature neps, the defining characteristic of Donegal Tweeds. The yarn was dyed with natural dyes made from lichen, flowers, berries, and other plants which reflected the natural beauty of the Donegal landscape, and these colourful flecks were created during the yarn spinning process.
Robert Temple, John Magee’s apprentice and cousin took over the business in the early 1900s and made some revolutionary changes. Robert brought the handweavers in-house, opening a tweed factory where the design and quality could be more closely controlled, ensuring consistency across repeat fabrics. This move is seen by many as having saved handwoven Donegal Tweed from extinction.
Moving forward to the middle of the century, and the next generation, we were still focused primarily on handweaving and handknitting, but fashions were changing. We started tailoring in the 1940’s with a focus on men’s jackets and suiting. Magee 1866 stood out from the many others producing dull, grey ‘de-mob’ suiting at the time with our unique and colourful fabrics.
The Magee thronproof suit
We were then established in international fashion in the 1960s due to the relationship between Col. Bob Harris (brother-In-law of Howard Temple) and the Irish designers Sybil Connolly and Irene Gilbert. They began to use Donegal Tweed, which had previously been seen as a ‘functional, hard-wearing fabric,’ in their collections which appealed especially to the US market. This launched Donegal Tweed on the global fashion scene, and it has grown from there.
Irene Gilbert designs in Magee Tweed. Photographer unknown.
Vintage Magee 1866 ads
As continental competition grew in the 70s and 80s, our weaving mill shifted gears and we became a more fashion orientated business. Power looms were introduced, allowing us to develop lighter, softer, more luxurious cloths in more intricate designs, paving the way for the introduction of our first women’s collections in the 1990s.
The classic salt & pepper and herringbone designs are still very much part of our collections today, and we are always looking at ways to adapt these timeless designs into modern pieces.
Our weaving mill in Donegal Town, on the banks of the River Eske, is still the beating heart of everything we do at Magee and we are proud to support a tradition of weaving and manufacturing textiles in the North-West of Ireland, bringing a contemporary edge to an age-old craft.
The design process
There is much to consider when preparing a collection. Our designers in the mill work closely with our clothing designers, looking to our rich heritage, extensive archive, and the inspirational landscape of Donegal, this is balanced with new trends and the needs of our many customers. They plan what we would like to convey through the collection deciding on core fabrics to develop and the stories we wish to tell with each cloth, design and finished product.
Mood boards are worked on – snippets from magazines, old photos, colours swatches, archive fabrics and yarns are collated. Then the technical aspect starts -the detailed fabric design and colour balance, the fit and styling details on a garment. Sampling starts both through our mill and with our garment suppliers. The mill tends to work over twelve months ahead of the next season, while our clothing collection are six to nine months ahead.
Magee 1866 Autumn Winter 2022 Collection
Since we started in the 1800s our focus has always been on slow fashion and natural fibre fabrics – wool, lambswool, alpaca, cashmere, and linen.
Our fabric and clothing collections have certainly evolved over the years, the 1940s embraced the thorn proof suit, moving into the 70s/80s and bold checks took over. Today, we work towards creating lifestyle collections for both men and women – taking elements of the past and working them into a variety of products. The casual movement is global, and we are now making our incredible fabrics into unstructured, light, and beautiful crafted pieces. In the early 2000s we launched our throw and scarf collection; these luxurious products are extra special as they are 100% Irish made.
In the beginning, our fabric was used locally and then sold into the UK, today, thousands of metres, designed and woven in Donegal, are used by international fashion brands, and shipped all over the world. With all this innovation, we are proud of the fact that we are also still handweaving in Donegal.
We are passionate about the preservation of the heritage of weaving and design in Donegal. Trends evolve, but Donegal Tweed is timeless.
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