XFactor
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How and where can I find decent SUIT FABRIC that sells for something like that? What would be decent 100% Worsted Wool fabric around 30 GBP (little less or more).
Ideally I'd like to go for J J Minnis Fresco (from all the Summer suit fabric knowledge I've read). But they are higher priced at 60+ GBP. So, before I go there, I'd like to TRY OUT these tailors and see how they do.. Once I can rely on the tailor and depend on them and KNOW my FIT better, I'll go for the Fresco and more.
So any thoughts on the following (if the question above was too wide):
- 100% Worsted Wool
- Business / Formal (From my reading a Solids based non patterned suit is always safer, more formal, interview friendly and can go with more shirts etc than certain patterns/ pin strips etc. - So suggest the conservative variety)
- Charcoal/ Dark or Mid Gray - Navy (I already have a RTW navy so prefer the given shade)
So using the above, please point me (link if possible) to SPECIFIC fabrics from specific mill/ merchant/ marketer that is
- Good Value for Money at the lower end of Good worsted fabrics.
I do not need this first tailor made suit to be fancy. Should work for interviews and client meetings (as formal as possible).
With all due respect to all the experts and experienced people here...
It would really help if you learned & knowledgeable veterans could help with focused answer to focused question asked by someone who is new and learning the ropes. Yes, there is lot of advise about finding the right tailor and its all over SF. Its the binding theme of SF.
I do not think my question is so vague and broad that instead of specific Fabric advise asked in a Fabric thread, I get told to go find a fancy expensive tailor. Then again, not everyone can afford to start with WW Chan.
I've found a relatively decent tailor who has had great reviews from 4-5 people I know.
- He is not at all famous and big name.
- He used to work for a big name and learned to do suits well
- At least well enough for a city in India I am in right now and can afford this Tailors making charges
- (somewhere in India where its mostly Polyester RTW or PolyWool blends in fabric selection).
PS: I read through the messages and it almost seems like you are not even replying to me but to someone else. I do not know if I am reading it incorrectly or its the lack of sleep pushing my buttones.
Bottom-line - This is the best option as a tailor, I can TEST & AFFORD right now and he does not carry a huge selection of all wool fabric - He recommended his former employers shop, but they markup imported fabrics like crazy. He is fine with me buying my own fabric.
Your chosen tailor may have a special on some in-house fabric. Might be dreary, orphaned stuff, but at least you'll then be negotiating the price of the finished good, not the components. Otherwise, a cheaper fabric might not save you a lot. Very few of the Savile Row crowd, for example, price lower for using fabric other than standard Lesser.
You're doing R&D on a tailor, right? So do what it takes to find the best tailor you're likely to be able to afford. I say that as someone who hates wearing clothes that aren't cut right. Cloth is a nice bonus, but if it doesn't fit or feel right, I won't wear it-- and that is a very expensive problem.
Wise words...the two really do go hand in hand.
I'm sorry I don't know what "R&D" stands for. However, if I understood your point correctly, you're saying that fit is more important, but once you pay big money for a suit you better spend some more with a good cloth as well, right? If so, I share your opinion.
Please elaborate. If this is some kind of fabric direction that would suit my question above.I see, thanks, SB. I'm not sure if that's his point, but that's a good insight as well. Expenses are always a concern, at least for those who are not graced by the capitalism, but I'd also be concerned to give a rare cloth to a new tailor, as loosing it would cost me more than its nominal value, that's why many advise to make a first purchase in standard cloths (hopsack, for example).
I'm not doing R&D on a tailor at the moment, Concordia. Fortunately, I've established a good relationship with my tailor and I'm more than willing to give him expensive (for my own standards) and rare cloths.
Journeyman - I thank you from the bottom of my heart for a reply that helps me with specific direction. Hats off (not that I wear them yet) and I really appreciate your taking the time to guide a newbie.
There are quite a few sellers on eBay who are reputable and who sell lengths of English cloth, so you could keep an eye out there.
Alternatively, have a look at the Huddersfield Cloth website (huddersfieldcloth.com) and sign up for their "cloth offer" e-mails, where they sell lengths of cloth for GBP20 per metre.
Some of the cloths in the cloth offer e-mails are awful, but some are fantastic - I picked up some classic grey nailhead cloth a month or two back that I'm having made up into a suit. You can see some of the "cloth offer" specials on their Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Huddersfield-Cloth/184997944876377?sk=photos_stream
Huddersfield Cloth are not weavers - they are merchants or re-sellers (so are not to be confused with Huddersfield Fine Worsteds, for example).
PS: On another thread someone pointed me to Dugsdale Town & Country but I could not access until I register and for that I have to be a business or something. Let's see if I can bypass their little "have to be a company" requirement.
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