A suit will not be complete without a well-crafted dress shirt. Dress shirt comes in many choices and it can be confusing to choose the perfect one. Most men would choose based on the right color, collar and fit but the perfect shirt would have to be made from the right materials. Shirt fabric should be made of 100% natural fibers such as cotton, linen, or the blend of these materials.

The look and feel of the dress shirt would be determined by the combination of its weave, thread count, and fiber. Hence, we will give you an overview of the different types of fabric so you can be sure to find the ideal dress shirt fabric for your needs.

Cotton

Cotton is the most used types of fabric for dress shirt. They are soft and durable. Moreover, they breathe very well which makes them comfortable. Overall, cotton provides best overall quality. Keep in mind, however, that it does wrinkle easily, and it also needs to be carefully washed as bright colored cotton may bleed. if you would rather get something that is less wrinkly or warmer, you can easily find cotton fabric that has been blended with other materials such as wool and silk or you can opt for cotton polyester mix if you’re looking for something more affordable.

Now that you understand the property of cotton fabric, it is also crucial to understand the thread count and the ply as they determine the feel and look of the dress shirt. Thread counts refers to the amount of threads that were used to make the fabric, and ply refers to the amount of threads that were twisted together before making the fabric.

Thread count would start from 50s to even 1000s but do remember that the higher the thread count, the softer, smoother, and silkier the fabric would be and as a result, the fabric would be more expensive. As for ply, there will be single ply fabrics and two-ply fabrics. The two-ply fabrics have two yarns spun into one to prevent wear and tear problems.  To make the fabrics more durable, each material with more than 100 thread counts would normally have a two-ply construction with two yarns twisted together.

Fine Cotton

Sea Island Cotton – This type of cotton has been named as the best cotton in the world and used in both Egyptian and Pima cotton. It comes from a type of cotton plant that is called Gossypium barbadense. It is known for their extra-long staple (ELS) that are longer than 34 millimeters. A longer cotton fiber is more favorable because it would be stronger, softer and more durable.  Furthermore, sea island cottons fray less and wrinkle less than the regular cotton which makes them super comfortable and breathable but also more expensive. The hand-picked cottons from Barbados can be quite rare but highly desirable. Just be sure to purchase the certified Sea Island Cotton.

Egyptian Cotton – Egyptian cotton has been ranked as the best material for dress shirt. Egyptian cottons are so luxurious as they are soft, much finer, and long-lasting comparing to other cottons. Moreover, Egyptians cotton are highly breathable and stronger that fabrics made from other cottons. It is also worth noting that Egyptian cottons are denser due to how the threads are arranged and because of this, a new Egyptian cotton shirt may be stiffer than regular cotton. However, over time the fibers begin to relax and soften which makes Egyptian cottons durable as it does not get worn out easily.

There is a rare form of Egyptian cotton that is called “Giza 45”. Giza 45 has been carefully cultivated and harvested around the Nile delta that resulted in a much cleaner cotton and cleaner cottons means that the materials would not go through the long bleaching process which weakened the cotton.

Pima Cotton – Mainly produced in America, pima cotton is considered to be one of the finest cottons because of its premium qualities that are luxuriously soft and incredibly smooth finish. Pima cotton is resistance to pilling (pills are tine tangled fibers that are common in cottons) and more durable even after multiple washes due to its long fibers.  Although it is more expensive than the regular cotton, a genuine pima cotton would cost less than the Egyptian cotton.

Different Types of Weaves

Broadcloth – Often called as poplin, this type of weave is the most popular shirt fabric. Broadcloth is a tightly woven, plain weave fabric that is smooth, cool and lightweight fabric that would be perfect for both formal or informal wear.

End on End – It is a type of broadcloth that is popular due to its contrast coloring. It is made with two or more color thread resulting a dual-tone finish. Just like any other broadcloth, end on end shirts are lightweight making it perfect for warm days with or without a suit.

Chambray -Chambray is a plain weave fabric that has similar construction as the broadcloth. The biggest different is that Chambray made with heavier yarns and because there would always be white threads running in the weft/width direction, Chambray has an inconsistent color to it. Nonetheless, if you are looking for a casual wear. Chambray may be a perfect fit for you.

Dobby – The weave of dobby is very much like jacquard that looks like a geometric pattern. However, in term of weight and thickness, dobby is quite similar to broadcloth. Dobby comes in variety of patterns and colors that would fit in any occasions.

Twill – Twill is a durable cotton fabric that has a softer feel and is slightly more sheen than broadcloth. Twill fabrics weave twin horizontal threads under and over vertical threads to create a diagonal pattern. Twill usually come in high thread count and may be mistaken for silk. The best thing about it the crease-resistant and iron-proof making it easy to wear.

Oxford – Oxford fabric is known for its checkerboard appearance. They are loosely weaved with a heavy thread which gives a slightly rough texture.  As it was design for a sportwear, oxford fabric is made to be durable. This fabric is great for casual occasion and It can also be used for everyday office wear.

Pinpoint Oxford – Pinpoint oxford has the same kind of weave as the oxford, but it uses finer and tighter weave. Just like the oxford fabric, the pinpoint oxford fabrics are more appropriate for a casual to semi-formal events.

Flannel – Flannels are famous for its warm, fuzzy fabric that are perfect for colder season. They are made in thicker weaves and are usually 100% cotton, but they can also come in blend such as cotton/ wool variation or even cotton/cashmere.

Seersucker – Seersucker is known for its distinctive puckered appearance. They come in many different colors and is perfect for warm weather. Seersucker has highly breathable making it very comfortable to wear in summer or in hot climate.

Linen

Linen fabrics are made from a flax plant which gives fabric gets its name. Linen fabrics goes way back to at least 3,000 BC. Although linen fabric is less elastic than other materials, it is incredibly breathable, and they are typically made to be worn in summer or in hot climates. Linen does not pill, and it is also resistant to stains. Linen is durable and practical and the more often it is worn and washed, the softer, smoother, and more beautiful it becomes. To get a lighter color linen, artificial color agents are not usually in used because they can be naturally sun bleached. Unfortunately, linen tends to wrinkle more easily than cotton and generally feels much more relaxed because of this. Most people would only wear linen for informal occasions. However, you can opt for a cotton/linen blend shirt for something that is less wrinkly.

Last week, we looked into the benefits of wearing a suit and maybe, we have successfully convinced you to get your first suit. Before buying new suit, there are few things to consider: the price, the quality, the style and the fabrics that are used to make the suit. Getting that perfect suit can sometimes be quite challenging especially if you get them from a store. Perhaps the fabrics are uncomfortable or maybe the style is not exactly the way you want. Having your suit tailored is probably your best bet because you have complete control over every elements of the suit.

Most of the time, the style of the suit is being lauded as the most important decision factor when selecting your suit. However, the fabrics is as important as the style. There are only a handful of fabrics designed for suiting which make it easier for you to choose.

Wool

Wool is probably the most popular fabric choice due to its versatility and its aesthetic value. Wool is a natural material that has many benefits. They are generally durable as they are water repellent and fire retardant hence wool is perfect for any occasions. They come in many different colors thanks to their wide range of colors as well as the ability to take dye well. Moreover, wool offers good thermo-regulation which make wool materials warm yet breathable and as a result, it makes your suit comfortable when used in both winter and summer.   

Although 100% wool is preferable, wool can be quite expensive for some and a cheap quality wool may cause skin discomfort. A good alternative for this is wool blend materials. Wool blends materials are synthetic/natural materials that have been mixed with pure wool to give similar look as the pure wool materials. Wool blends materials are budget friendly and they are quite durable. You don’t have to be too cautious when washing these materials as they won’t change shape even when you wash them in the washing machine.

If you have a good, wealthy budget, you may opt for more exclusive wools. There are 3 luxurious wool types that are commonly used for suit.

Merino:

As the name suggested, merino wool comes from the merino sheep. Merino wool’s fibers are softer and finer (about 1/3 diameter of your hair) than the regular wool which gives the extra comfort for your skin. Merino wool has unique property as they can absorbs odors and trapping them from building up which will be perfect for traveling.

Cashmere:

Unlike the regular wool or the merino wool, cashmere wool comes from cashmere goats. This luxurious wool is extremely soft, and they are lighter than the sheep’s wool. However, cashmere can be pricey comparing to other wool due to complexity in obtaining the wool.

Mohair:

Mohair is one of the most prized fibers that you would find, and they come from coats of the Angora goats. Mohair is an incredibly soft like silk and they are good for those who have high sensitivity to sheep’s wool.

Cotton

Cotton is a natural material that has been used for garment for thousands of years. When it comes to suiting materials, cotton is as popular as wool. However, unlike wool, cotton is lightweight and soft. They may not give the warmth and the luxurious feel of wool, but cotton is perfect for more casual look. Cotton is extremely comfortable on your skin and they give the maximum breathability which makes it ideal for warmer seasons. Unfortunately, cotton materials have the tendency to crease easily that is why choosing heavier cotton or wool/cotton blend would be preferable as it helps retaining the silhouette of the suit.

Linen

Linen is a suit fabric that is normally associated with summer. Linen is quite similar to cotton. Both linen and cotton are plant materials and they both are lightweight and breathable. Linen is also easily creased which then shows the wrinkles on your suit. Regardless, linen is a quintessential hot weather fabric. If you live in a warmer climate, linen can be your go to day-to-day option. Linen is highly absorbent and yet, linen is also an extremely strong fiber. The fibers do not stretch and are highly resistant to any sort of damage. Because they do not stretch, the linen wrinkles easily. Commonly, linen comes in lighter colors which would be great for casual style during the day, but they can also come in darker colors which can be worn on casual evening events.

Wearing suit is not the same as wearing t-shirt and pants. It is important to get things right with the suit. Knowing the characteristics of the fabric will help you plan and decide the way you design your suit. Make sure you consider the purpose of wearing suit and from there, choose your fabric carefully so that it would fit to the style that you want.

In the past, wearing a suit was a norm. Men would wear suit to the office, to meetings or to any social events. However, this trend has been declining in the last decade. More men are now wearing casual outfit and suits may only be worn on formal events such as wedding or a very important meeting.

Regardless the changes in trend, we cannot deny that the way we look and the way we present ourselves affect the way other people perceive us. We live in a judgmental world and many of us make a quick assumption about others based on how they look on the outside. We still value the importance of giving a great first impression and we strive to look good and being respected by others. This is where suits come into play. Suits are seen as a symbol of masculinity and success and today, we are going look at some benefits of wearing suits.

Wearing a suit can boost your self-confidence

Just as the way we dress affect others’ perceptions on us, the way we present ourselves also influences the way we feel about ourselves. Dressing well requires planning and careful consideration on all the little details that would go with our attire. This process will leave us feeling accomplished and satisfied with the way we dress because we know we have put our thoughts and care into our appearance. Consequently, these feelings are projected outward and other people can see them through us. Others may see us as being confident and are more likely to be drawn to us. As a result, it helps increase our confidence to stand out in the crowd. As you dressed well, you will develop the passion to improve yourself and to be the best version of yourself.

Wearing a suit helps you gain respect

As we mentioned above, dressing well shows that we care about ourselves. However, it does not stop there. Dressing well also shows that we take consideration and respect to the people we meet and the environment we are in. It shows that we take things seriously and as we show respect to others, others will show respect to us in return.

Wearing suits give you the sense of credibility

A man in a suit is viewed and treated quite differently than a man who wears sloppy attire and that is because suits portray a form of authority. Leaders tends to wear suits which project their sense of power and that they are in control. Hence, well-dressed men will radiate a sense of worth in the society and will generally get more positive response from others.

Suit is timeless

Although casual clothing is becoming more acceptable, like it or not, suits will never go out of trend. People have worn suits years ago and they will continue to wear suits in years to come Suits are still an essential piece of clothing that helps create your own personal style and elegance. Therefore, suits will always have a place in men’s wardrobe.