Tweed used to have a reputation as an expensive go-to textile for the high-born country living set, essentially because clothing fashioned from this sturdy weave was an excellent way of keeping the cold at bay while they were galavanting about outdoors. And although this is still the case, it’s now also a fabric that a style-conscious city-dweller can turn to when there’s a decided nip in the air. Only this time investing in tweed won’t break the bank, especially so if you consider hiring your suit rather than buying.

Almost definitely – wear yours as a three-piece for a look that says ‘I’ve got this’. In fact, tweed is that rare breed of a fabric that has so successfully morphed from countryside uniform to workplace-ready togs, you’ll wonder why it’s taken you so long to recognise its potential to hit the mark in the boardroom. Our Donegal tweed suit is slim-cut, lightweight and breathable for all the implied tradition and reliability of tweed but with a distinctly modern feel. Pair yours with a button-collar shirt, brogues and a CEO-worthy striped tie.

That’s easily resolved: ditch the waistcoat and hire a two-piece suit instead. You could style it with a shirt and tie and it’ll still feel more casual than it would with a waistcoat. Our advice? Break with tradition and scrap the formal shirt and tie altogether in favour of styling your tweed with an open-necked printed shirt instead. A classic pair of sunglasses is optional but encouraged for a look that’s completely at ease.

If you want to wear tweed but also want to dial it down, hire just the jacket to upgrade pieces you probably already own. We suggest block-coloured knitwear and a pair of crisply tailored trousers for an uncomplicated, modern feel. Not only will simple basics balance the richness of tweed, but this combination will also take you comfortably from client lunch to mid-week date to that tricky smart-casual weekend invitation you’ve been worrying about. Proof, if any were needed, that hiring tweed is very much suited to anything today’s got in-store.