Summer suiting: expectations of durability

[Vintage Gent]

After having purchased several suits from Chan, one is clearly starting on the road toward its inevitable demise. I had always assumed that the first to go would be the first I commissioned, which was made in the Loro Piana fabric offered in the Fall 2004 specials. And while that suit is showing its age, the DB I commissioned in the VBC mohair/worsted blend will likely not last me through the next summer (somewhat substantial wear in the crotch area will be its undoing).

This led me to question what I should expect of lighter weight fabrics. In this part of the world, summer is a six month proposition, so, sporting the suit once a week, I've probably worn it around 100 times. For a suit worn in 90 degree heat and 80 percent humidity, that's probably not a bad track record.

Still, I'm disappointed. I had understood that mohair was a more durable fabric. As I'm going to need to replace this in the next 6 months, are there other lightweight and/or breathable fabrics I should consider? I have summer suits in the H&S Perennial Light, a vintage mohair that Chan offered up on special, the H&S Crispaire and Harrison's Mersolair (linen). But I haven't had those as long, so I can't speak to their durability.

 

[TRINI]

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

(somewhat substantial wear in the crotch area will be its undoing).

Can't you just get Chan to patch it using the original material?

 

[Vintage Gent]

Originally Posted by TRINI

Can't you just get Chan to patch it using the original material?

Honestly, I don't know. Looking at it from my layman's perspective, I'm not sure how that would work.

 

[globetrotter]

I have to say, I have 3 suits in under 10 ounce fabric from india and they are all starting to show significant wear at the 10 year mark, and I will probrably get a few more years wear out of them. the pants are lined, and I got two pair of pants with each.

 

[edmorel]

I don't think it's the lighter weight that is the issue. Have you tried any of the open weave English stuff, like fresco's? Holland and Sherry gets a bad rap here but their light weight stuff is very nice and has been durable for me, although I have not worn it anywhere near 100 times.

 

[Vintage Gent]

Originally Posted by edmorel

I don't think it's the lighter weight that is the issue. Have you tried any of the open weave English stuff, like fresco's? Holland and Sherry gets a bad rap here but their light weight stuff is very nice and has been durable for me, although I have not worn it anywhere near 100 times.

Yeah, I have one suit in the H&S Crispaire--its version of Fresco. It appears to be holding up well after about three years.

 

[TheTukker]

This is indeed one of the reasons I get two pants per suit.

 

[Vintage Gent]

Beyond the recommendation to get a second pair of trousers--and this is not a suggestion without merit--are there any other thoughts on summer fabrics that are going to hold up reasonably well over time?