Distinctive Men's Suits Begin With The Right Choice Of Fabrics
Fashion has been around for hundreds of years, but with the rise of the Internet, it has become possible to shop for clothes anytime. Today's men can purchase suits from all over the world and tailor them to fit their needs at a price that is hard to beat. With fabrics like wool and cashmere coming into fashion, it is important that you choose a suit which reflects your personality.
This article will list some of the most common fabrics used in men's suits currently on sale and what makes each one distinctively special.
Cashmere
This wool comes from the cashmere goat of the Himalayas, which is one of the world's most luxurious animals. It is very soft and silky, and when woven into clothing, creates a warm and luxurious fabric. It is often blended with cotton for extra strength and warmth, or with silk for even more depth to the fabric. Today it has become a popular choice for fabrics because it doesn't fade easily, and can be easily cared for so that it retains its nice look even after years of wear.
Wool
Woolen is a warm natural fiber which comes from sheep in Australia and New Zealand. The sheep are shorn twice a year, which takes about four weeks each time. After the wool is shorn, it has to be cleaned, carded (which gives the fibers a lustrous shine), and then spun into yarn. When woven into clothing, it creates a thick, warm fabric which has moderate resilience and is also very durable. Wool is often blended with silk for extra strength or softness.
Cotton
This natural fiber comes from plants of the genus Gossypium and is grown in many parts of the world. It can be bleached to increase its whiteness and shrinkage so that it can be used for making clothing and bedding. Cotton is one of the most versatile fabrics because it is both breathable and absorbent, and has a relatively high resistance to wrinkles. For this reason, it is often used in summer clothing.
Linen
This fabric is made from the flax plant, which has been cultivated in Europe since before the 5th century BC. It is usually woven on a machine which creates a very smooth surface. The yarns are twisted together with an interlacing of linen fibers to hold them together. It has moderate resilience, absorbs moisture easily and dries fairly quickly. It also wrinkles easily, but wearing it for some time will solve that problem for good.
Nylon
This synthetic fiber is most commonly used in making swimsuits and lingerie. It is stronger and lighter than cotton, and dries faster than it. It can also withstand wrinkles well. As with wool, it has good resiliency, absorbent qualities and a natural resistance to fading.
Linen
This fabric is made from the flax plant which has been cultivated in Europe since before the 5th century BC. It is usually woven on a machine which creates a very smooth surface, while the yarns are twisted together with an interlacing of linen fibers to hold them together. It has moderate resilience, absorbs moisture easily and dries fairly quickly. It also wrinkles easily, but wearing it for some time will solve that problem for good.
Cotton/Linen Blends
The blend of cotton and linen fibers is one of the most popular in suits available today. The linen fibers make the fabric strong and resilient, while the cotton gives it softness and natural warmth. Some blends are made from a combination of both types of fiber; others only have a small amount of cotton added to the linen. As with many things, the best way to find out what is best for your lifestyle is to research these types before making your purchase.
Wool/Cashmere Blends
This type of suit will give you the warmth that wool is famous for, and the softness of cashmere as well. It gives you a much more durable fabric than cashmere alone and can be blended with cotton to give it more strength and resilience. Wool/cashmere blends tend to be much less expensive than 100% cashmere since they contain a small amount of wool.
Nylon/Wool Mixes
These garments combine the best qualities of both materials to give you exceptional durability and warmth. The strong nylon fibers are woven together with the woolen ones, giving your suit a thick texture. The insulation and the moisture-wicking properties of woolen combine with the protection and warmth of nylon.
Wool/Polar Fleece Blends
These are woolen suits which are lined with fleece, which gives them added softness and warmth while also protecting your clothes from moisture. Advantages of wearing these garments include: non-wicking, lightweight, wind-resistant and waterproof. They are very warm but can be uncomfortable if you don't buy quality ones.
Merino Wool/Cashmere Mixtures
This fabric is a blend of both cashmere and merino wool. These fibers are more durable than cashmere, and give your fabric the softness that cashmere is known for while also providing a warmth that will make the cold winter months anything but unbearable. The blended fibers create a fine fabric which feels warm yet breathable. They are also strong even when they are wet and can be worn in snow without fear of them losing their shape or color. They can be hand-washed as well, which is beneficial to men who live active lifestyles and like to wash their own clothes every once in awhile.
Hemp
This is a highly durable, renewable fiber which is naturally very soft and absorbent. It combines well with other fibers because it does not have any lanolin in it, which makes it hypoallergenic and prevents damage to fiber yarns. Hemp can be woven into most types of yarn to make fabrics of great strength and durability. It is known for its ability to repel water, which makes water-repellent textiles very popular in the sportswear industry. Many athletes today wear hemp base layers because they do not raise the wearer's body temperature while they exercise even when they sweat a lot or are exerting themselves intensely. Hemp is also very absorbent and can withstand abrasion and tearing.
Cotton/Rayon Blend
This fabric has a very soft feel and is made of the same cotton as some of our other 100% cotton garments, but it has rayon mixed in to give it a little stretch. It is made of cotton fibers which are blended with rayon fibers. They are strong, durable, hypoallergenic, non-fraying, machine washable,... all these characteristics make them great fabrics for active men who like wide range of movement when wearing their clothing.
Conclusion
There are many types of fabrics and materials used in today's suits, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. The important thing is to be able to identify what type of fabric you want, and then be able to find a suit that is made out of it. This will give you the best fit possible, both for your body and your budget.
© Copyright 2012 by WorldTowel. All Rights Reserved. Written For: WomenWearandAnything.