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Summer Suits Advice/Opinion

Hershy

New in Town
Messages
22
Location
New York, New York
Hello its me again, (please dont hate me)

I have recently came across the Houndstooth kid's Etsy Haberdashery and had seen a 60 dollar straw hat. And i was wondering, "in the summer, the suit rules are different, What are they?" A lot of people (Askmen, GQ, Esquire) misinform people about summer suits, i had seen the magazine say that the higher the number the better for summer. However, i was then told by a forum member that Cotton is the way to go. IMO, i think a summer suit should be linen or Cotton. What do you think?:D
 

Otateral

Familiar Face
Messages
93
Location
California
It all depends on what geographic area you are. I'm not familiar with New York, but a linen or cotton suit would be sorta out of place in most of California. How hot does it get where you are?

One thing people have a tendancy to do when it heats up is to remove layers. But you MUST wear a grey v-neck undershirt under your dress shirt, especially if it's hot. The extra layer will not add to your heat, but it will help to prevent sweat from staining your suit. Also, make sure to not cast off the coat for a white shirt/tie combo. If the jacket comes off, the tie should also.

Lighter colors do make a difference. Tan and light grey are good colors to choose for the summer.
 

Hal

Practically Family
Messages
590
Location
UK
Also, make sure to not cast off the coat for a white shirt/tie combo. If the jacket comes off, the tie should also.
I don't agree with this at all. So long as the shirt is long-sleeved, and the trousers flat-fronted (i.e. no pleats) and belted, one has a perfectly acceptable summer look. I realise, however, that this is a British and not an American opinion.
 
what's wrong with pleats?

Addressing the question: linen is a good option. I tried cotton in late summer in New York, and it was too sweaty. I would also suggest a tropical weight wool suiting as a very, very good option for summer in a humid climate.

Also, don't discard the idea of a nice silk. I've found silk to be fantastic for most all hot climates, independent of humidity.

bk
 
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Undertow

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,126
Location
Des Moines, IA, US
...i had seen the magazine say that the higher the number the better for summer...

Let me be the first to say - STAY AWAY FROM THE "super" NUMBERS!

Super 120's through Super 150's; it's all rubbish. The higher the number, the more likely you'll be in next year for a new suit. Yes, they are "finer" than their lower numbered peers, and thinner, too. They'll get shiny, they'll wear out, they're useless.

Stick with seersucker, linen or tropical weight wools. A well made tropical weight wool will be durable and cool in the summer, with fewer wrinkles than cotton or linen. Watch places like Jos. Bank for cheap seersucker before and after summer. I think they also sell inexpensive linen suits, but I've never tried any on and can't vouch for their quality.
 

1961MJS

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,363
Location
Norman Oklahoma
Hi

I've never owned a tropical weight wool suit, or linen, or cotton. I have on the other hand, worn a wool Confederate (and Union) suit in August in Kansas, and it's cooler than wearing all cotton. This stuff was DEFINITELY not tropical weight either. Apparently, it breathes better or something.

Just my $0.02 and worth every penny.
 

herringbonekid

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,016
Location
East Sussex, England
I have a tropical weight wool suit, I find it as good but no better than my linens. It doesn't wrinkle as much, though.

On a par with linen, but less wrinkle. Silk is my go-to fabric for hot humid summer days.

what sort of weight are we talking ? 8 - 9 oz ?
i have some vintage fabric of that weight but have been hesitant to use it as i'm used to working with the heavy 18 oz -20oz stuff. :)
 

Rudie

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,069
Location
Berlin
Fresco was invented sometime in the 1910s, I believe. A breeze goes right through and even the heavier weights wear cool. It's also perfect for travel, as it doesn't wrinkle.
 

Chasseur

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,494
Location
Hawaii
We had some good threads a couple of years ago on summer suits:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?39793-The-Demise-of-the-Summer-Suit

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?48452-Summer-of-39-when-cool-became-cool&

I would second linen, light silk, and open weave wool (like a Fresco). I've had a few cotten jackets and I do not find them as cool to wear in hot weather as linen. If you do not like how linen wrinkles cotton-linen blends do not wrinkle as much. Pleats or no pleats is really your choice and I do not think that has much to do with summer vs. other season wear.
 
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Chasseur

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,494
Location
Hawaii
someone needs to reweave Palm Beach (30s style) ... probably the ultimate summer non-wrinkly fabric.

Couldn't agree more. I have one DB shawl collar cream dinner jacket in Palm Beach and I love it. I'd love to have more but realistically the odds of me finding a suit or sportcoat in size 44 are not good and the price would be very high...
 

Rudie

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,069
Location
Berlin
Don't remind me of that mint green 1930s belted back Palm Beach I missed a weeks ago because my sniper was jamming...
 

Undertow

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,126
Location
Des Moines, IA, US
Couldn't agree more. I have one DB shawl collar cream dinner jacket in Palm Beach and I love it. I'd love to have more but realistically the odds of me finding a suit or sportcoat in size 44 are not good and the price would be very high...

Chasseur, I feel like a pig but...

I just passed up a 44R Palm Beach suit at goodwill for $5. I promise I will go back and see if it's there. :eusa_doh:

(I wear a much bigger size and thought, "Who would want this?" Oh lord, sometimes I make myself face palm.)
 

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