Polyester?

[Havana]

A friend of mine used to jokingly call polyester the fabric of the gods. Polyester has evolved to be more comfortable and more breathable than the "200%" polyester suits that we may remember from the 70's. Synthetic textiles have really advanced just as much as electronics since the disco era. That being said, polyester is really at its best when properly blended with cotton or wool. If done right, it can provide all the strengths of a synthetic without detracting from the natural fiber's comfort or appeal. Blends fill a welcome niche in a world where things cost money and not everyone is enthusiastic about ironing.

 

[Forgotten Man]

Wool, rayon and cotton will always be my choice... 100% wool isn't susceptible to wrinkles as cotton is. I recall falling a sleep on the couch in one of my 40's wool suits... I get up and not a wrinkle to be seen! Clothiers have gone the cheap way, they call it progress, I call it a progression to making things cheaper. I like the weight of older fabric, not a fan of light weight fabrics and such... they just don't drape as nice or hold a crease as well.

 

[Smithy]

I recall falling a sleep on the couch in one of my 40's wool suits... I get up and not a wrinkle to be seen!

And let's be honest that has to be one of the greatest things about good old wool

 

[Forgotten Man]

And let's be honest that has to be one of the greatest things about good old wool

It is, and it's also comfortable to boot!

Someone here should try and figure out the process to replicate some of the best vintage wool textiles of men's suits of the 20's to the 50's. I mean, since there's guys who are making some high quality felt for hats, why not wool fabric like that of the past? Cost is high but, there's many here who drop good dough on hats so... why not try and make wool fabric like they used to?[huh]

 

[Jovan]

The problem, IIRC, is getting the right looms and whatnot to create the fabrics. Fabrics of today are simply not produced the same way they were in the past -- the possible exception being Harris tweeds which haven't changed much over the years. With that said, there are some excellent modern, weighty pure wools I've seen that are very vintage in their feel.

I also should add that while I don't like pure polyester, I own a pair of trousers by Tommy Hilfiger that are meant to travel well, and they do! They are 55/45 wool/polyester I believe. Keep a crease like no tomorrow, and breathe fairly well. They aren't as comfortable as other trousers I own, but they have their place in my wardrobe.

 

[Jerekson]

False alarm!

Hey guys, I got the suit in the mail today and I opened it up - and to my disbelief, it was made of wool!

Apparently, it was just a mislead description on the auction. I'm going to assume this is the case because the suit is also 2 sizes larger than it was advertised

But that's the least of my problems... No polyester for me.

 

[Forgotten Man]

No polyester for me.

:cheers1:

PROST!