Is camelhair better than cashmere for an overcoat?

Ed355 · May 20, 2007

I'm having an overcoat made. I can't decide between pure camelhair and pure cashmere. I will probably only wear the coat a dozen times per year, so durability may not be much of an issue as I may grow out of it before it wears out. Thanks.

Ivan Kipling · May 20, 2007

For an overcoat, camelhair might make a more formidable impression. For a topcoat, I'd go with cashmere. Either fiber is magnificent, in its own way.
btw: I can't help but think of the classic film, SUNSET BOULEVARD. In this movie, William Holden models a SPECTACULAR coat, with inverted pleats at the hip. I'm not quite sure what fabric the coat turned out to be, as his ladyfriend, played to overwrought perfection by Gloria Swanson, asked first for camelhair, after which a cunning salesman suggested that Mr. Holden . . . choose VICUNA, instead. 'So long as the lady's paying for it . . . why not take the vicuna?'

kitonbrioni · May 20, 2007

Pick the fabric that appeals the most to you. High quality cashmere and camel seem to each hold up well over time in that I have several 50+ year old vintage overcoats in both cashmere and camel that have many years of wear left in them.

Manton · May 20, 2007

Aside from the softness, a key advantage of cashmere is that it is more insulating, so that you can get the same warmth in a lighter weight.

texas_jack · May 21, 2007

I like the color of cashmere dyed to a camelhair color more than I like natural camelhair,

spectre · May 21, 2007

I have a camel-coloured pure cashmere DB overcoat which is insulating but not at all heavy and allows for great movement. I don't think you can go past 100pc cashmere but a blend would negate those benefits I think.

SoCal2NYC · May 21, 2007

Nothing beats the drape of soft, light cashmere.

100% cashmere from Etro

erdavis · May 21, 2007

Originally Posted by SoCal2NYC

Nothing beats the drape of soft, light cashmere.

100% cashmere from Etro

Wow that is a awesome jacket !!!! I don't know much about Etro, but that is a real looker.

Ed355 · May 21, 2007

Thanks for all the replies. Here's a follow-up question: is pale camel color acceptable for a business overcoat or should I stick with normal camel? The latter is probably more versatile though the former may have more class. Thanks.

epa · May 21, 2007

Originally Posted by erdavis

Wow that is a awesome jacket !!!! I don't know much about Etro, but that is a real looker.

+1

dopey · May 21, 2007

I won't use the catch-phrase, but if you want conservative business clothing at its most classic, neither color is the right choice. Go with a dark gray or navy, solid or herringbone. BUT, in normal life, outside of caricature, either camelhair or a lighter tan are o.k. Where you are more likely to screw-up is with the cut. Anything less conservative than the classic polo coat, such as a wrap coat, in a light color is likely to look less business-like than you might want. Stick with a simple single breasted fly-front or a 6x2 or 6x3 DB. To be clear, a polo coat, while it might have very informal genes, is too classic to be inappropriate.

Manton · May 21, 2007

Originally Posted by dopey

I won't use the catch-phrase
Why not? Because you are a philistine, or because you are a coward?

Mark Seitelman · May 21, 2007

First determination is the quality of the cloths. A higher quality camelhair will last longer than a cheap cashmere.

Second determination is purely personal. If you have a couple of cashmere overcoats you will want a camelhair for variety. Also, you might prefer the look of camelhair.

My experience in overcoats is that the cashmere is more durable. I have a camelhair polo coat, and it has some signs of wear at the cuffs.

dopey · May 21, 2007

Originally Posted by Manton

Why not? Because you are a philistine, or because you are a coward?
When you supply a complete set of options I will answer.

Manton · May 21, 2007

Originally Posted by dopey

When you supply a complete set of options I will answer.

Options for what?

I agree that a good conservative business dress overcoat is dark gray or blue. I would also add black to the equation. Black is nice if you wear a lot of black tie, because it can serve for business or formal events. I also agree that a light colored coat is not the thing for a first coat. But once a man has his dark coat in the closet, a camel hair or camel colored polo coat is a great second coat. But then so is a covert coat.

Is camelhair better than cashmere for an overcoat?

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