If you want to have a custom suit made but know nothing about fabric brands, how do you know which brands excel in the types of fabrics you like? When it comes to top-notch suit fabric brands, which country comes to mind first? The world’s top five suit fabric brands actually all come from Europe. The vigorous development of European industrialization has provided a strong technical foundation and platform for the research, development, and production of suit fabrics. Therefore, when selecting fabrics at higher-end custom suit shops, you will often find that most of the fabrics are European!
I. Common High-Quality Suit Fabrics
Worsted Wool:
Made from various types of sheep wool, this fabric has excellent resilience, luster, and drape. It is durable and highly resilient.
Merino Wool:
Merino wool is a fine and versatile fiber, making it an ideal choice for lightweight summer wool fabrics and autumn/winter fashion.
Cashmere:
This fabric is characterized by its lightweight, softness, and delicate feel, providing excellent warmth. It is often referred to as “diamond fiber,” but it is not very durable and can easily stretch.
Cotton:
Ideal for summer wear, cotton offers a more casual feel, durability, and practicality. However, it tends to be stiffer with poor drape and wrinkles easily, producing more creases than wool.
Flannel:
Flannel can be made from cotton, wool, or cashmere, and it has a delicate texture. Its notable features include a rich surface pile and a lustrous appearance.
Linen:
Linen is the coolest fabric for summer, boasting the best moisture-wicking properties, quick drying, and durability.
II. Introduction to Suit Fabric Brands
The Oldest - Vitale Barberis Canonico (VBC)
Origin: Italy
VBC uses the world’s most recognized ultra-fine Merino wool from Australia. Many top ready-to-wear brands collaborate with Vitale Barberis Canonico. VBC’s wool is sourced from Australia and New Zealand, cashmere comes from China, and mohair is from South Africa. VBC fabrics have excellent wrinkle recovery capabilities, allowing garments to return to a smooth, straight condition shortly after wearing. The products also perform well in durability, making them popular among consumers worldwide.
Luxury Brand Favorite - William Halstead
Origin: United Kingdom
William Halstead has a history of at least 150 years, dating back to the 19th century. The brand embodies British characteristics, respecting the authentic structure of British fabrics, while enhancing its uniqueness through distinctive designs and color applications. William Halstead supplies not only fashion capitals like Milan but also Paris and New York. They produce wrinkle-resistant fabrics with unique colors; however, the production of these fabrics is quite challenging, requiring high levels of warping, weaving, dyeing, and post-treatment techniques.
Cost-Effective Choice - Leonardo