The World's Best Fabric Merchants

[Strawfut]

Trying to understand the fabric business a little better.


Based on my limited knowledge gleaned from SF and AAAC, I understand that these companies have very good reputations as fabric merchants. Some, but not all, are fabric makers. Many of the companies use the same mills.

Carlo Barbera
Smith Woolens
Lesser
Holland & Sherry
Minnis
Loro Piana
Dormeuil
Scabal
Zegna
Barberis
Dugdale Brothers
Fox
Harrison

If there was a Top 15 list of fabric merchants, who would fill out the list? What companies could be classified as second-tier fabric merchants? Third tier? Who are the best specialists in the heavyweight fabrics? Who is the go-to merchant for tropical-weight wool?

 

[GiltEdge]

Originally Posted by Strawfut

Trying to understand the fabric business a little better. Based on my limited knowledge gleaned from SF and AAAC, I understand that these companies have very good reputations as fabric merchants. Some, but not all, are fabric makers. Many of the companies use the same mills. Carlo Barbera Smith Woolens Lesser Holland & Sherry Minnis Loro Piana Dormeuil Scabal Zegna Barberis Dugdale Brothers Fox Harrison If there was a Top 15 list of fabric merchants, who would fill out the list? What companies could be classified as second-tier fabric merchants? Third tier? Who are the best specialists in the heavyweight fabrics? Who is the go-to merchant for tropical-weight wool?
I'd avoid any of the highlighted companies. We try not to sell people those here. I do have to say Piana cashmere is a go to for those who want something more "luxe." JJ Minnis is the gold standard for the standards. You can add W Bill too.

 

[Butter]

Originally Posted by PaoloM

I'd avoid any of the highlighted companies. We try not to sell people those here. I do have to say Piana cashmere is a go to for those who want something more "luxe." JJ Minnis is the gold standard for the standards. You can add W Bill too.

May I inquire why? I am not too familiar with fabrics.

 

[teddieriley]

Originally Posted by PaoloM

I'd avoid any of the highlighted companies. We try not to sell people those here.

What are you talking about? You think VB is bad cloth? I love opinions on SF. They're like...

 

[TRINI]

LOL @ 'we'.

 

[edmorel]

IB4 creepy Flusser pic

 

[gdl203]

 

[aj_del]

Originally Posted by PaoloM

I'd avoid any of the highlighted companies. We try not to sell people those here. I do have to say Piana cashmere is a go to for those who want something more "luxe." JJ Minnis is the gold standard for the standards. You can add W Bill too.

Whats wrong with H&S, LP, Scabal, Zegna and VBC ? Basically, according to you, Barbera is the ONLY Italian cloth worth buying ?

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by aj_del

Whats wrong with H&S, LP, Scabal, Zegna and VBC ? Basically, according to you, Barbera is the ONLY Italian cloth worth buying ?

I more or less concur. Drapers is also nice, or can be, though not all of it is Italian.

 

[itsstillmatt]

I have some nice stuff from VBC, H&S, Scabal. I've seen some bad stuff too. Hard to count any of them out entirely, IMO.

 

[teddieriley]

Jamison just had a batch of pants made with VBC cloth. Must be crappy pants according to Paulo.

 

[JPHardy]

Originally Posted by TRINI

LOL @ 'we'.
In paragraph full of win, that might be the Winning-est part.

 

[Michael Ay329]

I was disappointed by the 2 VBC (9-10oz) woollen flannels I acquired from Tip Top...after a couple of years of wear, they both had all the bad attributes of lightweight flannels

I just bought a 10oz Carlo Barbera woollen flannel and can see & feel how it might tailor better

 

[S. Able]

Does anyone have a strong opinion on Ariston? I keep seeing more and more of their name here in the States.

 

[1969]

If anyone wants to add a list shirting fabrics to this I'd appreciate it.