Living in California, what type of suit fabric is recommended?

[The Good]

I live in southern California, not very far from L.A. Obviously, this area is prone to heat waves during the summer, or even early fall/late spring. I was initially considering purchasing a flannel wool suit, but someone at a shop I went to told me that fabric wasn't common in this state, as in low sales in general. This got me thinking that flannel may be too warm for one suit to start off with; one that would need to be reasonably comfortable for year-round wear. However, I ran into the issue of what is referred to as tropical weight wool being generally too thin for my liking. I get the sensation that this material could tear very easily, at least based on the experience of one suit I tried on. It might have been one of those Super 120s.

Again, should I still try to buy a wool flannel suit, or a lighter weight? I'm willing to sacrifice some comfort for durability and/or style, but not too much. For my first suit, I'm interested in a modern one, not necessarily vintage unless I found it to be appropriate for the way I intend to wear it; conservative interview wear is anticipated.

 

[Tomasso]

For a one-suit-does-all, I would recommend a mid-weight (9 to 10 oz.) navy blue worsted for year round wear in your neck of the woods.

 

[Oldsarge]

I agree with the choice of fabric above and would suggest possibly a charcoal, as well. Now you said 'interview'. That brings up the question of where the business is. A Suitable Wardrobe says that you should consider whether the business is genuinely urban or whether it is actually in a suburban location. Dark navy, charcoal or pinstripes are fine if you work in downtown. However, if like many of us you work in the suburbs as well as live there, such a suit is overly formal. Go to ASW and do a search for 'suburbs'. Will has a list of recommended fabrics for warm season and less warm (that being all we really have around here). Stick with the 9-10 oz material, check Askandyaboutclothes.com under 'weddings' for your color palette (spring, summer, winter, autumn), get an appropriate suit and knock 'em dead!

 

[LuckyKat]

Make sure its not modern linen, because vintage linen has held up against time, plus its light weight. Vintage gabradine is also a great, light weight choice.

 

[carldelo]

Flannel will definitely be too warm for any but the coldest months in Southern California. I have two flannel suits that I only wear in the coldest months in NYC, for comparison. You really don't want to be drenched in sweat at an interview, after all.

I wouldn't be worried about tropical weight wool being too fragile, unless you're climbing fences or something. Good quality wool will hold up, even if it's thin.

 

[Fifty150]

If you don't mind looking like James "Sonny" Crockett, or some other refugee from an 80's New Wave band, a loose cut linen suit, and thin silk or linen shirts, would be very comfortable. Stay with light, earth tone colors. Stay away from pastels and live animals as accessories. Do grow a 5 o'clock shadow by shaving before you go to bed.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

For most of the year, businessmen in downtown Los Angeles tend to wear tropical worsted wool suits, or "fresco" fabric suits.

 

[The Good]

For most of the year, businessmen in downtown Los Angeles tend to wear tropical worsted wool suits, or "fresco" fabric suits.

Hmm, fresco... could you explain that? I've never heard of that particular fabric. Is it natural, or synthetic? Also, are some polyester/viscose suits of "good" quality? Somebody tried to talk me into purchasing a viscose suit that did fit me really well, but I was turned off by the synthetic materials. Are some viscose suits worth my time and consideration, or should I ignore these and stick with 100% wool? Another point about that same suit, is that I was told that it was actually breathable, unlike older (70s/80s for example) polyester.

Flannel will definitely be too warm for any but the coldest months in Southern California. I have two flannel suits that I only wear in the coldest months in NYC, for comparison. You really don't want to be drenched in sweat at an interview, after all.

I wouldn't be worried about tropical weight wool being too fragile, unless you're climbing fences or something. Good quality wool will hold up, even if it's thin.

All right, thank you. Would super 120s tropical weight wool (or higher "super") be of good quality, then? Some of the suits I was looking at were of this quality, or just about. Again, I'm referring to the very thin feeling suits, which I'm worried of in regards to lasting durability, and even the wrinkling factor. I want a suit that will last me at least five years, preferably a decade, and that's with semi-frequent wear involved.

 

[Guttersnipe]

I agree that a navy blue worsted wool is a good bet for a one-suit-does-all needs. Although, a mid weight 9 - 10 oz might be just a tad bit too heavy for the Los Angeles/SoCal climate, but that really depends on personal preferences. 7 - 8 oz suitings are really popular in warmer regions.

Just as a comparison, I'm also in California (although San Francisco has much more variability in weather than SoCal): my winter weight suits are all in 11 - 13 oz range and mostly wool flannel; my summer suits are mostly in the 8 - 10 oz range. For warmer weather I really like wool superfines.

 

[Oldsarge]

Wool worsted material is very durable. Tropical weight worsted wool is 7.5-8 oz material, woven very open for ventilation. It does tend to need dry cleaning more often than heavier material and needs steaming to get rid of the wrinkles. However, in terms of comfort in SoCal, it is the standard 9-10 months of the year. Only in December and January do the temperatures drop to levels where such light weight cloth is uncomfortable. Fresca is even more open but about the same weight. It won't be as durable. Do you intend to wear the suit daily? If so, you will likely need at least two and as your career progresses you should work your way up to about six, plus three or four odd jackets. Unless business will take you on the road to cooler climes, keep to the >11 oz. material and you will be comfortable in all but the most miserably blistering temperatures.

 

[John in Covina]

The super woolens are smaller fiber tighter weave they are light in weight but the don't breathe well making the hot. Some of the vintage suits are heavy but the weave was loose so they could breathe and were less hot.