Vitale Barberis fabrics good?

[Clintonjl]

Hello everyone,

This is my second ever post here on styleforum- I don't post much so please let me know if I'm posting in the wrong location or making any other faux pas.

I recently went to Arthur Bespoke in Montreal to get a MTM Samuelsohn suit and the tailor there can supply their own fabric to Samuelsohn to use- so you get a wider selection than the normal MTM fabric list.

Anyways, I was looking for a charcoal to dark grey fabric and he showed me a few, and I ended up selecting a BBC super 150s. I really liked the feel and look of it. (Attached a pic below) but I have read by many on this forum to avoid VBC. Have I made a mistake here? This is my first ever "good" quality suit I'm purchasing.

Please let me know and please educate me on what makes a quality fabric.

 

[Clintonjl]

Oh my goodness. VBC!!! I'm so sorry, my phone keeps correcting to BBC.

 

[breakaway01]

The VBC “Revenge” line in 130 and 150 is good. Not sure which S150 fabric you picked out. Personally for a first suit I’d suggest going with a less expensive fabric like VBC 110, which is a very good fabric for the price.

 

[Clintonjl]

The VBC “Revenge” line in 130 and 150 is good. Not sure which S150 fabric you picked out. Personally for a first suit I’d suggest going with a less expensive fabric like VBC 110, which is a very good fabric for the price.

Thanks for the reply. This isn't my first suit, but my first new, good quality suit. I don't know what line the fabric is from, I should have asked more questions about it.

If worst comes to worst, I get a fabric that's not the most robust. It still feels very soft and I love the colour. I'll learn for next time.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

VBC is decent fabric, but it kind of occupies a mid tier. Not that it's a bad thing.

150 fabric may not be the best choice. I think a 120 or 130 would be a better, more functional choice. How did the prices compare with the other fabrics? Just curious.

 

[Clintonjl]

VBC is decent fabric, but it kind of occupies a mid tier. Not that it's a bad thing.

150 fabric may not be the best choice. I think a 120 or 130 would be a better, more functional choice. How did the prices compare with the other fabrics? Just curious.

The VBC super 150s was $2400 CAD for the suit whereas the other fabrics ranged from $1700 to $2000. I did also get a second pair of pants due to the colour being very versatile and the fabric potentially wearing out a little faster.

Maybe it wasn't the best choice, but that said I do really love the colour and feel of the fabric. I guess it's all a part of learning, haha.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

I think you'll find the 120 or 130 more practical, but then it's your suit so if the 150 is really talking to you and you love it, then go for it. Getting a second pair of trousers is smart in this case as well.

Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

 

[Clintonjl]

I think you'll find the 120 or 130 more practical, but then it's your suit so if the 150 is really talking to you and you love it, then go for it. Getting a second pair of trousers is smart in this case as well.

Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Hey thanks. I agree with you, though I should also mention something rather important here too. I don't wear a suit to work. It's just to religious occasions twice a week for about two hours each time. I also would wear a suit out to a nice dinner every once in a while, but in any event these suits are not getting a huge amount of wear and tear.

I do intend to grab a navy suit next year and will likely go with a tougher fabric. When the product is finished I'll definitely post pictures!

 

[Phileas Fogg]

For occasional wear I think you should be fine. I have a few suits made of Loro Piana 150 and it's a beautiful and smooth fabric, but I wouldn't necessarily call it a workhorse fabric.

Like you, I don't wear a suit for work so mine are worn for the same reasons. I'm not that hard on my suits so the drape and hand of the 150 cloth suits me just fine.

 

[Clintonjl]

For occasional wear I think you should be fine. I have a few suits made of Loro Piana 150 and it's a beautiful and smooth fabric, but I wouldn't necessarily call it a workhorse fabric.

Like you, I don't wear a suit for work so mine are worn for the same reasons. I'm not that hard on my suits so the drape and hand of the 150 cloth suits me just fine.

Thanks Phileas. By the way, I would just like to mention I greatly appreciate your helpfulness on this forum. This is the second post I've made where you've weighed in with a tactful opinion and it really encourages me about this community. I hope to learn enough to pass on my own information to others as I go through my suiting journey.

When I do finally get that suit (And the two bespoke shirts I ordered as well hehe) I'll definitely tag you in the post of the pictures and get your thoughts on my look, if you don't mind! Suit will be peak lapel, ticket pocket, some roping in shoulders but not much, and have grey MOP buttons. I hope it ends up looking as good as it does in my imagination.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

^ nothing wrong with being a bit rakish with a suit intended for occasional wear.

 

[papado]

I think you've gotten some great answers but to just briefly chime in from what I've heard from others in the biz: certainly nothing wrong with VBC but I've heard their sister brand 'Drapers' has generally been regarded as a superior cloth. I'm not sure what the differential is price-wise, but if you're a fan of VBC then I would suggest you take a look at them if you have any future tailored clothing orders coming up in the future.

 

[Clintonjl]

Hey so, I spoke with the tailor yesterday about the fabric and asked if it was from the VBC revenge line. He reassured me that it wasn't, but the fabric was thicker/heavier than that of the revenge line and that it should hold up quite well for a super 150s.

I don't think the guy is pulling my chain based off of my personal experience with him- he is definitely not a pushy salesperson or anything like that, so I trust him.

Thanks for the responses everyone, I really appreciate it!

 

[DapperPhilly]

Dude, who gives a S%$( what you read here. You love the color and the feel of the fabric which makes it good.
Its that simple. Don't overthink it.

GL

 

[Phileas Fogg]

^ There’s a kernel of truth in that. One can overthink things.
However, there are a couple of factors here that warrant consideration:

1) this represents a pretty large investment and getting opinions/feedback and recommendations is part of his due diligence.

2) he has admitted that he is a relative novice. There are qualitative differences in fabrics and one should explore those differences in order to make an informed decision.

But yes, all things being equal, go with the fabric that looks, feels and will work the best for his budget and needs.