Shiny suits?

[matei]

Greetings all,

Question - what makes a suit "shiny"? I mean an undesirable type of shiny...

For example, the other day I was waiting at the bus stop with my back to the sun. I noticed a high proportion of the suits worn by people coming in my direction displayed an underlying "shinyness" that was evident in brigh sunlight. Other times, you can see where the suits have been rubbed (elbows on desks, etc).

Not wanting to generalise, but in my experience most people that have to wear a suit on a daily basis over here don't want to shell out the big bucks... emm... Euros... emm... pounds to get something of quality. In the office I see a lot of polyester - even lycra (!) blends.

Perhaps this has something to do with it?

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

I wouldn't say it is necessarily the use of synthetics but rather the current trend towards using lightweight, high super-number wools. A 7 ounce super 120s suit will tend to be shiny in a way that a 10 ounce super 80s suit does not.

The main problem with shiny suits is that they signal the fact that it is not made with durability in mind.

 

[Mr. Rover]

General wear on worsted wool suits will start to get this shine. I have a Curlee Clothes from the 30's, and the seat of the pants are shiny, while the rest of the suit is relatively flat.

 

[flat-top]

You might be describing "iron shine". Suits should really be steamed, or ironed VERY carefully, perhaps under a towel. I've seen alot of gabardine suffer this fate. I've mostly seen it on pants.
flat-top

 

[scotrace]

FlatTop has it

Over ironing causes suits to shine. They'll shine eventually unless they are very carefully looked after. An author will sometimes use 'shiny suit' to set a character whose clothes are aging and without many alternatives in the closet, a careless or seedy person.

 

[Lauren]

Fabrics can be treated with a finish to have "shinyness" after they have been woven. Also, synthetic fabrics seem to usually have more of a sheen than natural fibers, and since they are generally less expensive than a nice wool, this could account for how many suits there are (less expensive=lower production cost= more made). Most modern men seem to see a suit as a suit, having nothing to do with fabric or cut. It's not their fault, really, as they are generally not required in "living" as they were in the golden era. Also, as previously mentioned, the higher the twist in the yarn the more sheen a fabric can have.

 

[matei]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Edward]

Reviving this... Anyone have any remedies for shiny trouser bum syndrome, or does it mean the end for a beloved vintage piece?