Twill vs. hopsack for business suit

[badbeat808]

Hi

I'm about to order a navy MTM suit for business use all year round. I have the options of getting it made in twill or hopsack.

Which is best regarding durability and is considered best for business use? If considering everything else is equal.

 

[comrade]

Twill probably wears better, but it can look like the fabric for a uniform:

Gorton, Manchester, UK. 7th Sep, 2014. Gorton Carnival Parade on way to Debdale Park, with a stop on Tesco car park, Gorton, for several of the groups in the parade to perform for spectators.-Chief Inspector Patrick McKelvey, GMP with Police and Crim

Download this stock image: Gorton, Manchester, UK. 7th Sep, 2014. Gorton Carnival Parade on way to Debdale Park, with a stop on Tesco car park, Gorton, for several of the groups in the parade to perform for spectators.-Chief Inspector Patrick McKelvey, GMP with Police and Crime Commissioner...

www.alamy.com

 

[badbeat808]

Twill probably wears better, but it can look like the fabric for a uniform:

Gorton, Manchester, UK. 7th Sep, 2014. Gorton Carnival Parade on way to Debdale Park, with a stop on Tesco car park, Gorton, for several of the groups in the parade to perform for spectators.-Chief Inspector Patrick McKelvey, GMP with Police and Crim

Download this stock image: Gorton, Manchester, UK. 7th Sep, 2014. Gorton Carnival Parade on way to Debdale Park, with a stop on Tesco car park, Gorton, for several of the groups in the parade to perform for spectators.-Chief Inspector Patrick McKelvey, GMP with Police and Crime Commissioner...

www.alamy.com

So for a business look, you would go for hopsack?

 

[Ed13]

I am assuming you have a limited suit collection since you want the suit for year round use. If this is the case I would go for twill fabric. It may not be exciting but will look presentable pretty much anywhere a business suit is needed.

 

[badbeat808]

Yeah, it's my first suit. So I need something that works all the time and is durable.

Just noticed sharkskin is also possible. Would that be better than twill?

 

[BlueSteel]

How is the weather where you work year-round - are summers especially hot, or winters especially cold?

Hopsack can be particularly good for warmer weather.

 

[badbeat808]

I live in Sweden, so a lot of rain, a bit cold and not that much summer. Summer is not that hot, and winter is not that cold, I would say.

 

[Ed13]

I personally like sharkskin fabrics. Only issue I have for a first suit, they can have a two tone affect.

My first two business suits were a mid grey twill and a dark navy subtle herringbone. Between the two I was covered for work, weddings and funerals.

 

[tomsocal]

Hopsack is not really a suiting cloth.

 

[BlueSteel]

I live in Sweden, so a lot of rain, a bit cold and not that much summer. Summer is not that hot, and winter is not that cold, I would say.

Based on this I'd say personal taste between twill and sharkskin. Is the twill a heavier weight? Do you like the "shiny" aspect sharkskin can sometimes have? I think either could do the trick - which one do you like better for your taste?

 

[breakaway01]

Hopsack is not really a suiting cloth.

There is jacketing hopsack and suiting hopsack. The latter is a tighter and finer weave.

 

[breakaway01]

Hopsack can work for a suit but be sure you are picking a hopsack meant for suits. A coarse and open hopsack for jackets is not good for trousers—will snag too easily.

if you want something more textured than a plain twill weave, I am partial to nailhead for navy. For whatever reason I like sharkskin for grey suits more than I do for navy.

 

[Joffrey]

Twill for all around use. Hopsack when you are ready to expand your collection.

 

[comrade]

Why not a worsted with a small pattern for "interest"?

 

[brax]

Unless you work as a garbage man, don’t get hopsack.
(The above answer is intended for those who are SF veterans).

But seriously twill is better than hopsack for business suits but neither are great choices.