Hard-wearing cloth suggestions for suits

[Barcelona Jones]

Hello,

I made a search and found no specific threads on this (please point me to them if there are).

I am considering a couple of suits to be made, to wear to work. It would be more of a "sports" suit idea, if you get my meaning; smart enough to look dressy, but casual enough for field work. My job involves both office and field work.

So, I would like to know what kind of cloth would you suggest that is hard wearing, both as to strenght and as to soiling, and, at the same time, appropriate for a suit (or suit
jacket with odd trousers combination).

If there are suggestions for both cold and warm weather, all the better!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ich_Dien]

 

[lasbar]

You must decide first what kind of fabrics you want your suit to be made of...
Worsted ,flannel,tweed? What weight do you need?
Lesser is offering great classic fabrics for suitings...
You can also look at Smith ,Harrisons of Edinburgh ,Scabal ,Hooland&Sherry or Fox...
They're all offering very good fabrics and have great boks adapted to your quest...
I personally think that you can go for a 13 ounces good old fashioned worsted..
Some people will tell you to get a 11 or 12 ounces but 13 is very versatile...

 

[Frog in Suit]

You should be able to find what you are looking for within H. Lesser's and Smith Woollens' books.

If you want a long-lasting cloth, I would advise getting anything lighter than13 oz., but that may depend on local conditions. A more "porous" cloth might help, even at a 13 oz.+ weight.

Why not ask your tailor?

Frog in Suit

 

[pabloj]

Generally speaking no fancy super cloths, your maximum should be super 100.
Also consider mohair for warm weather, it's very crease resistant.

 

[lasbar]

Avoid the super 150's and so on...
They tend to be more fragile...
Go to your tailor and look through the books ,you will love it...

 

[idfnl]

Originally Posted by lasbar

Avoid the super 150's and so on...
They tend to be more fragile...
Go to your tailor and look through the books ,you will love it...

+1

If the fabric says 'super' anything stay away from it. They are soft and nice looking but wont wear.

 

[radicaldog]

Contrary to popular opinion, Irish linen in a substantial weight (11 oz or more) is quite durable. And it would work well in your context. For winter consider a Donegal tweed.

 

[AndrewRogers]

A heavyweight Fresco, about 14 oz, might be worth a shot or even a heavyweight worsted twill. The only problem here is whether you would be limited by such weigh, i.e. whether you live in a hot climate. A heavier Fresco will wear cooler than a similarly-heavy (or light) worsted, as long as it is lined accordingly (read as little as possible). A Fresco a few oz more will wear just as cool as a 'tropical' worsted that is lighter in weight and will last a bit longer, too, relatively speaking.

 

[mkarim]

Is anything higher than 100 too soft?

 

[OxxfordSJLINY]

Originally Posted by Frog in Suit

You should be able to find what you are looking for within H. Lesser's and Smith Woollens' books.

If you want a long-lasting cloth, I would advise getting anything lighter than13 oz., but that may depend on local conditions. A more "porous" cloth might help, even at a 13 oz.+ weight.

Why not ask your tailor?

Frog in Suit

I think what you meant to say was "If you want a long lasting cloth, I would advise getting anything heavier than 13-ounces". Everybody (or, at least everybody on the clothing forums) knows extremely well that the heavier weight a cloth is, the longer it would last. The lighter weight a cloth is the less long it will last. You implied that it is the other way around.

 

[Frog in Suit]

Originally Posted by OxxfordSJLINY

I think what you meant to say was "If you want a long lasting cloth, I would advise getting anything heavier than 13-ounces". Everybody (or, at least everybody on the clothing forums) knows extremely well that the heavier weight a cloth is, the longer it would last. The lighter weight a cloth is the less long it will last. You implied that it is the other way around.

You are correct of course. I should have re-read my post. Apologies.

Frog in Suit

 

[Big A]

100's birdseye holds up pretty well for me. So does donegal tweed of dubious origin

 

[bigbris1]

Any 80's or 90's wool should do very well.

 

[yachtie]

Reid and Taylor Silver Gander: 17oz hard finish worsted. Bulletproof and 3 season wearable.

Summer is harder. How does fresco wear?