Unfunded Liabilities: a/k/a The Cloth Thread

[Benjamin Chee HH]



Still awaiting pictures of the green fresco

Re: two pants, I never do this. Your taste is more likely to change before the pants wear out or, more likely, your desire to get a new suit for some subjective reason is likely to flare up before they wear out.

 

As mentioned above, it is a Rangoon and not a Fresco.

Pics will be posted when I get them.

 

[sprout2]

Wait - did you say subjective reason? I thought we (SF) had clearly established the scientific basis by which we select our clothes.

I think we established why we spontaneously desire new suits: vanity.
My vanity is far speedier than a pair of pants' rate of wearing out...

 

[bertie]



I think we established why we spontaneously desire new suits: vanity My vanity is far speedier than a pair of pants' rate of wearing out......

That is a great line and holds a lot of truth (to be clear - in general and not referring to you specifically)

 

[dieworkwear]



Re: two pants, I never do this. Your taste is more likely to change before the pants wear out or, more likely, your desire to get a new suit for some subjective reason is likely to flare up before they wear out.

That hasn't been my experience with certain woolens. Those can easily wear through after a few years. I'd like to make a suit last longer than that, even if I am to get a new suit.

Does linen wear through as easily, however? In the time that I've worn through a couple of flannels now, my linens are still going strong, but I also don't keep a tally on how frequently I wear either.

 

[bertie]

I have had cheap linen pants that lasted a long time. The only reason I tossed them was they simply lost all their shape and looked liked pajamas. It would be good to hear from others on their experience with the longevity of linen for suiting.

 

[sprout2]

Not sure if you are getting some fancy linen, but the material is exceptionally hardy and will soften over time. Indeed, this is desirable and the point -- like jeans. Unless you are living in one linen suit, I don't think it should wear away like your flannels. If it's an exceptionally smooth, 'hard' linen, it may develop a sheen in spots (maybe), but I can't say I would give it a second thought when ordering a coat and pants. My point above is that you will find the process of buying clothing positively flies when you aren't constantly second-guessing yourself about things like this, or poring over swatch samples by lamplight, etc. It's not always necessary to kick the tires. At the very least you will sleep more soundly if you throw caution to the wind. But I know that checking everything in triplicate is the igent way.

 

[sprout2]

By the way, I was just inspecting some thick linen sheets that are six years old and have been used and abused over that time, laundered, dried with heat, etc., etc., and they are free of any signs of wear, other than that they have developed a silken smoothness. I want a change of pace so I'll be cutting them up to serve as pillowcases and general purpose rags, etc, but they could go another 10 years (at least) if desired.

This is for fairly middle of the road linen, btw. I can't vouchsafe that if you are getting some silk blended super 1 millions linen it won't turn into dust.

 

[bertie]



Not sure if you are getting some fancy linen, but the material is exceptionally hardy and will soften over time. Indeed, this is desirable and the point -- like jeans. Unless you are living in one linen suit, I don't think it should wear away like your flannels. If it's an exceptionally smooth, 'hard' linen, it may develop a sheen in spots (maybe), but I can't say I would give it a second thought when ordering a coat and pants. My point above is that you will find the process of buying clothing positively flies when you aren't constantly second-guessing yourself about things like this, or poring over swatch samples by lamplight, etc. It's not always necessary to kick the tires. At the very least you will sleep more soundly if you throw caution to the wind. But I know that checking everything in triplicate is the igent way.

Well - sometimes budget considerations come into play, especially with commissioned clothing

 

[whnay.]

Anyone have experience with Smith & Co STEADFAST? 14/15 oz

 

[Manton]

Never heard that name but I do have several pieces of Smith 15. Same stuff? Very tough worsted, comparable to Lesser 16, highly recommended.

 

[whnay.]

Possibly - looks to be a "new" line for them. Mostly tough worsted and a few open weaves. Only blues and grays.

 

[Gruto]

I have a reefer in Steadfast. Drapes very well. Collects dust, at least the hopsack weave I have. The Italian tailor loved it.

 

[Manton]

sounds the same.

The older 15s did not have their own book. There was rather this one massive book marked "flannel" that was, at most, 20% flannel and the rest was worsteds, including maybe 30-40 15oz worsteds. Very good stuff. All blue and gray, as you say.

 

[whnay.]

Manton - thoughts on herringbone suitings? This book has a medium gray - each row of herringbone is about 1/2 inch.

 

[whnay.]



I have a reefer in Steadfast. Drapes very well. Collects dust, at least the hopsack weave I have. The Italian tailor loved it.

Collects dust as in you don't wear it? I'm looking at mostly the hopsacks in the collection.