How much cloth is required to make a suit?

[brendanm720]

I agree that the dry heat of the desert countries wouldn't be the place for tweed. But I can see the possible value of it in tropical climates with a little more salt water in the air, and a steady breeze to go with it. Some tweeds are woven so loosely that you can easily see through it when held against the light.
Nevertheless, the desert people must have gotten onto something by frequently wearing wool.

Our tower guys at work who live in Arizona and New Mexico swear by long sleeve wool workshirts during the summer.

I live in a humid, hot area with salt in the air (Florida) and I have worn my tweed when it was hot and sticky out. While it's okay for when it's not too muggy, I can't wear it when it's 90° and 900% humidity. Unfortunately, what breeze there is isn't steady.

(Though, I keep an old Brooks Bros tweed sportcoat (15/16 oz half-lined) in the office for when the boss cranks down the AC. )

 

[brendanm720]

I believe Harris now comes in double width as standard or so my tailor tells me!

I did not know that. That's good to know!

 

[Claudio]

Very intersting read, thanks for the information.
I know what you mean about the loose weave of some tweed. After 9 years of living in The Philippines (and currently in Spain) I really have a hard time thinking of tweed as a suitable option for hot climes, especially the tropics. Not to mention the esthetics of it (the eye also wants its fair piece, and seeing someone in a tweed coat in summer heat would be daft IMO). Then again it is well known that in the desert wool fabrics have been worn for centuries by local nomads so surely there is some basis for this.

 

[PeterB]

Rabbit
I once met a man in Jer icho on a hot July day must have been about 130F and he was wearing an undershirt, a kandoura (long cotton robe) a waistcoat and matching jacket in brown thick wool with a white pin stripe. It is not the cloth that heats you up but the motion. Sir in the shade and move slowly and you are fine. That said, 22 ounce worsted would probably be too much.

 

[Rabbit]

Good point, Peter. I totally agree, it's the movement, and exposure to direct sunlight. African natives, for instance, don't wear their knitted wool hats for nothing. The first time I was in the tropics I immediately adopted the slow walking speed of the natives, right there as stepped out of the airport. It's the only way to deal with the heat, and it appears to come natural. I must admit, though, that the dry heat of the desert countries is something else yet, with no comparison to the humid tropical climates.

I have the theory that wool as an outer garment, aside perhaps from just being easily available and durable, are as common as they are among traditional forms of dress in the tropics because wool can wick away moisture for a longer time before it starts getting really damp than the plant-based fibers could, even including linen, providing one doesn't actually seek to spend time in direct sunlight. But there could be other reasons for it.

 

[PeterB]

Gents, do you know how much fabric is required for ladies' suits? About 5'2" tall and US size 10? Searched all over the internet, but can't find an answer. Please excuse if there is another area of FL dedicated to this particular subject.

 

[Dirk Wainscotting]

Gents, do you know how much fabric is required for ladies' suits? About 5'2" tall and US size 10? Searched all over the internet, but can't find an answer. Please excuse if there is another area of FL dedicated to this particular subject.

2.5 metres, or just under 3 yards.

 

[PeterB]

Thanks Dirk, much appreciated.