Choosing your next suit

Choosing your next suit: Cloth design

What colour should your suit be? For business there are only really two colours that we use. Blue and grey. It’s a simple formula and it might sound a boring one but within those two colours lies a host of choice. As for black? Some might choose it thinking it is super smart. It is smart, but more for an Evening suit scenario, on the red carpet or even as part of a restaurant uniform. As for brown, it’s more casual and alternative, and consequently not appropriate for mainstream business environments.

Suits are made from a variety of fabrics. If you buy a really cheap suit the suit will likely be made from a manmade material. The positives are that it is cheap. But the negatives out way the positives tenfold. The chances are this suit will be shiny, be very warm because it doesn’t allow you to breath, and generally look cheap.

Wool is most commonly used. The two main yarns produce worsted (where the fibres are combed before spinning) and woollen (where they are not). These can be woven in a number of ways producing flannel, tweed, garbardine, and fresco amongst others.
Cashmere or a cashmere mix is considered a luxury to the outsider, and as much as it is, it’s worth knowing it can give some unwanted sheen to a suit cloth. Consequently more of an Italian look and less of an English. If you’re after a matte cloth, go for a 100% wool.