Help Requested: Summer Suits

[Hamilton_Honey]

Hello, Gentlemen

I'm trying to help a good friend with purchasing a summer suit, and I wonder if anyone has any advice regarding the differences between silk, linen, or tropical wool. The idea is to find the lightest, coolest suit possible without looking sloppy.

Your experience and advice is very welcome!

 

[Tomasso]

the differences between silk, linen, or tropical wool. The idea is to find the lightest, coolest suit possible without looking sloppy.

Since silk actually runs a bit warm and linen wrinkles like no other fabric, I'd recommend a lightweight tropical wool with an open weave. Holding fabric up to a light source is a good indicator of it's breathability; the more light passing through, the better.

 

[Rooster]

As little linning as possible helps too. I just bought a very light weight 100% wool Stafford. The lining pretty well negates having the light weight wool. It's one hot suit to wear. The pants are great and comfortable on a real hot day, the jacket is fully lined and hot even when it's 70*

 

[Feraud]

Tomasso summed up the different materials but as a personal choice I go for linen. It does wrinkle but has serious charm!

 

[PADDY]

Linen-Silk mix...

I have a lovely Linen & silk summer suit. Decadent...I KNOW! But I was lucky to get it a few years ago in a Winter Sale. Doesn't wrinkle half as much as pure linen (which I AGREE, has bags of character, wrinkles et al!!).

 

[Dagwood]

I know that this wasn't one of your fabric choices, but I've read good things about fresco. It is lightweight (8-10 ozs) and isn't supposed to wrinkle as easy as linen. I've never worn it myself and wouldn't know where to find it in California. The only place I've seen it is at the J&J Minnis website (located in England). Here is the web page showing the variety of fresco fabric: (http://www.hfw-huddersfield.co.uk/hardyminnis/asp/search2.asp). It's very expensive, but maybe it will give you some ideas. Good luck!!

 

[Orgetorix]

There's an Ebay seller with a store called British Fabrics that often has some frescos available.

 

[manton]

Re: tropical wool v. fresco, there are tradeoffs. Tropical wool can be lighter weight, but the weave has to be tighter to compensate. Fresco is more open, but it generally has to be a little heavier to compensate. Fresco is always going to look rougher and more rustic; just know that, if that's a concern. For a more polished looking business suit, get the tropical.

Also, people react to heat differently. For some it's all about weight. Fresco just does not feel cool on them. For others, it's all about air circulation. Only you can say which camp you fall into.

The absolute coolest suits I own are tropical wool in 8/9 ounces. Fresco at 9/10 works very well for me in moderate heat, but on a blazing August day, I reach for the tropical.

While I love linen, I find that the super-lightweight "handkerchief" linens perform very badly as suits. I prefer the heavier Irish stuff -- at least 10 ounces, and up. I find this warm on a really hot day, but fine for spring and the average summer day.

 

[Hamilton_Honey]

Thanks to all of you! I knew I could count on the Gentlemen of the FL!

Also, I agree about the serious charm of linen