A Tactile Obsession: Basketweave Jackets
If you ask why I hold such affection for basketweave, I would begin with the hand. Running your fingers across the surface, you will feel a gentle undulation, the rise and dip of warp and weft as they trade places. It is a weave that engages not only the eyes but also the touch—a quality that, in fine tailoring, matters as much as silhouette. A textured cloth fulfils two of the only two out of five human sensorium (touch, smell, taste, intuition in addition to the long privileged faculty of sight).
Structurally, basketweave shares kinship with meshes and hopsacks, yet its principle remains fixed: two yarns interlaced to anchor the foundation, two floating to form the surface. This gives it an innate openness, allowing air to pass freely, creating breathability without surrendering strength. Linen–wool blends are already beloved for such qualities, so we won’t belabour the point here; today, it is the texture itself that takes centre stage.
Where wabi-sabi finds its beauty in imperfection, basketweave gestures to the opposite: the quiet satisfaction of perfect proportion, symmetry held in delicate balance. The human body is full of quirks and asymmetries—the uneven shoulder, the natural twist of posture—yet basketweave stands firm, steady, consistent. In its regularity lies its charm: structure meeting freedom, discipline softening into ease. Each square is a small parable of order—threads crossing,parting, and crossing again, reminding us that elegance so often rests upon the simplest of elements, perfectly aligned.
Brash isn't quite the word we'd use to describe a basketweave. It doesn’t shout for attention. Its pattern rewards the watchful eye, offering depth without dominance. Under bright sunlight, the raised intersections shimmer softly; in subdued lamplight, they sink into velvety shadow. It is a weave for those who appreciate detail, who prefer understatement over ostentation.
In the long history of human craft, basketweave stands as one of the most enduring and poetic constructions. Its rhythm recalls Gothic rafters arching in solemn symmetry, or the rattan and bamboo structures woven across Asia—an architecture of body and object alike. Picture warp and weft moving in patient sequence: two up, two down, over and under, a measured dance producing its square, checkerboard effect. Simplicity here is no weakness; it is the heart of its genius. Basketweave manages to be both practical and refined, robust yet infinitely adaptable.
And how should it be worn? To make it clear, this is no casual cloth by chance.Its natural dignity places it firmly in the realm of smart dress, though it grants permission to lean a little looser. Pair with wool trousers for sharpness, or with smart chinos for a modern inflection. If the mood strikes, denim or even tailored shorts will sit comfortably, especially in resort settings where the linen element comes into its own. From office to off-duty, daylight to evening, it carries itself with assurance.
In navy or in rust—our two chosen expressions—you find two sides of the same coin. Navy is timeless, sober, professional; rust is warm, open, and just a touch flamboyant. Both are born of the same cloth vision, yet they tell different stories. The question, then, is not which is better, but which speaks to you.
Both pieces are available under ready-to-wear and custom tailoring.
