Best Fabrics for Suits
Here are our suits fabrics reviews.
1. Tuva Textiles Wool Garbadine
Wool has many great properties that make it perfect for suits. Wool is breathable, but is also warm. Most wools are generally stain and soil resistant and will stand up to every day wear. Polyester is also quite durable and is usually moisture wicking. This wool and polyester blend garbadine fabric is very versatile and can even be machine washed if desired.
- This fabric is a great choice for suits, but can also be used for a wide variety of other apparel projects
- Comes in a wide range of neutral colors for that classic and classy look
- Garbadine fabric is durable, but soft and smooth
2. Telio Wool Blend Melton
Melton wool is dense and tightly woven, but is heavily brushed or “fulled,” which makes it soft. Melton wool is very warm and generally is water and wind resistant. This line is a wool, polyester blend and is heavyweight, so it can take some hard wearing. Melton is typically used for sewing jackets or coats, but can also be used for vests or even for costumes or for replicating clothing from history like uniforms or military jackets.
- This line of Melton wool comes in 11 colors and patterns including exciting buffalo plaid print
- Some Melton wool can be quite expensive to purchase, but this line is fairly budget friendly
- Melton wool is a great choice for durable coats or jackets, but can still be made to be quite stylish
3. European 100% Linen
Linen is lightweight, which means that it stays cool, even in hot temperatures. Linen can tend to wrinkle or crease easily and is generally not impervious to stains or spills, so extra care should be taken when wearing and cleaning. That said, this particular line of linen is medium to heavyweight, so it will stand up to wear and this particular line can be machine washed as well as dry cleaned.
- This line of linen comes in 20 different colors
- Linen is a soft, smooth texture and is comfortable to wear
- Linen is versatile and can be used for a variety of other projects to help reduce waste
4. Robert Kaufman Corduroy 14 Wale
Corduroy suits aren’t for everyone. They’re a statement of personal taste and style and have a distinct retro vibe that many people still enjoy. If corduroy pants and a jacket are too much to pull off together, wear the pieces separate. Corduroy is durable yet comfortable. It’s known to be very warm and is generally resistant to stains.
- Corduroy is unique, and while not for everyone is a classic material that is practical
- Made of 100% cotton and is medium to heavyweight
- Corduroy is actually quite versatile and can be used for pieces besides pants and jackets and comes in many different colors
5. Polyester/Cotton Twill
For long lasting durability, try a twill fabric. Some people wear a suit every single day, so comfort and long lasting fabrics are key. Generally twill is made up solely of polyester, which makes it a heavier fabric, but this line blends polyester and cotton to give a lightweight feel. Generally this fabric is easier to care for and isn’t as fussy to launder.
- The bled of polyester and cotton are perfect for structured garments like pants and jackets
- This line of fabric has a slight sheen, which dresses up a durable blend
- This line of twill is very budget friendly
Suit Fabric Buying Guide
Custom and even off the rack suits can be quite pricey. Buying fabric and sewing your own suits can save you a lot of money, even if you buy high quality fabric. There are a wide variety of fabrics available that are perfect for suits. It’s up to you to decide what kind of suit you would like to sew and how much wear that suit will eventually receive.
Budget Friendly Choices
If you’re sewing your own suit because you want a custom tailored fit and look without the high price tag usually associated, your next step is to choose your fabric. You might think that only expensive fabrics are worth buying and sewing with, but nothing could be further from the truth. There are many budget friendly fabrics that are perfect for suits, are durable for every day wear, and also look and feel great.
Climate and Lifestyle
Climate should play a role in the type of fabric you choose for your suits. If you live in an extremely hot climate, you aren’t going to want to pick fabric that you’ll swelter in. Lightweight fabrics like linens are often a better choice. The same can be said for cold climates- pick a warmer fabric like a wool blend to keep you comfortable. Picking the right material for your lifestyle is also key. If you wear your suits every single day and have to launder or dry clean them often, be sure to pick a fabric that is going to stand the test of time.
Recommended Reading:
- Chapter 1: The 7 Sewing Essentials for Beginners
- Chapter 2: The Beginner’s Guide to Sewing Machines
- Chapter 3: The Ultimate Guide to Setting up your Sewing Room
- Chapter 4: Everything You Need To Know About Sewing
- Chapter 5: Sewing Fabric 101: A Virtual Tour of the Fabric Store
