Suit Fabrics: The Complete Guide & Buying Chart

When it’s time to suit up for a special event, looking and feeling good is essential. Equally as important is the right suit fabric, style, color, and fit. From natural to synthetic materials to customized suit fabrics, there's no shortage of choices.

We've put together this guide, exploring the most popular types of suit fabrics, so you’ll feel better prepared when it comes time to choose suit fabrics for any occasion, no matter where or when it’s taking place.

Why Suit Fabric Matters More Than You Think

The right suit fabric can make all the difference in comfort, appearance, and durability. A high-quality material not only enhances the drape and fit but also resists wrinkles and maintains its shape, ensuring you always look polished and put together. Investing in premium fabrics means you get a suit that performs well and lasts longer.

Important factors to consider:

Your level of comfort: Higher-quality fabrics will usually feel softer against your skin.

Performance: Some fabrics can adapt to your environment and body temperature, which comes in handy when you’re looking for the best suit fabric for a wedding suit.

Appearance: Wrinkle resistance, texture, sheen, and how the suit drapes over your body are all things to consider.

Longevity: Better quality materials can maintain their shape for a longer period.

Seasonality: From summertime beach weddings to fall weddings in the woods, some fabrics are better suited for specific weather patterns and locations.

The Most Popular Suit Fabrics: A Comprehensive Breakdown

Finding the perfect suit for you involves learning about the most popular suit fabrics. We break down their benefits below:

Wool: The Gold Standard for Suits

• Naturally regulates body temperature
• Retains its shape
• Offers a soft, comfortable feel
• Provides a smooth drape
• Wrinkle-resistant
• Odor-resistant
• Ideal for suits and tuxedos

Merino Wool: Premium Quality for Special Occasions

• Regulates temperature: stay cool in the heat and warm in the cold
• Moisture management properties to draw sweat away from your skin
• Natural anti-bacterial properties for odor resistance
• Wrinkle-resistant
• Breathable fibers

Cotton Suits: Casual Comfort

• Comfortable
• Breathable
• Lightweight
• A good alternative for a business casual or laid-back spring and summer event

Linen: The Summer Wedding Favorite

• Loosely woven fibers of a linen suit can help you stay cool and dry, even on the warmest of days
• Soft and comfortable
• Can be dressed up or down

Polyester and Blends: Budget-Friendly Options

• Wrinkle-resistant to maintain a polished appearance
• More affordable than wool and other suit fabrics
• Some may have stretch features

Silk and Luxury Fabrics

• Unmatched softness
• Radiant sheen that creates a sophisticated appearance
• Strong material for longevity

Suit Fabric Weights: Finding Your Perfect Match

Choosing the correct weight of your suit fabric ensures that your suit is comfortable and ideally suited for your special occasion.

Lightweight Fabrics (7-9 oz)

An ideal weight for events held in the summer and warmer climates. Tropical wool, linen, and cotton may fall into this category.

Medium-Weight Fabrics (9-11 oz)

An excellent all-around option for events in almost any season, except for maybe winter. That said, an 11-ounce Merino wool suit may be suitable for a winter occasion. Common suit fabrics include wool, wool blends, and thicker cotton twills.

Heavyweight Fabrics (11-14 oz)

Heavier suit fabrics are an excellent choice for cold-weather formal occasions, like a winter wedding. They tend to have an excellent drape, wrinkle-resistance, and will keep you warm. Flannel, worsted wool, tweed, and cashmere blends are considered heavyweight fabrics.

How to Choose Suit Fabric by Season

Here’s how to select suit fabric based on the season:

Summer and Spring: Opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics, such as Merino wool. We recommend staying away from polyester suits.

Fall and Winter: Try heavier or medium-weight fabrics.

Tuxedo Fabrics: What Makes Them Different

One of the best suit fabrics for a wedding is tuxedo fabric. They stand out from suits due to the presence of satin trim on the lapels. Tuxedos will also feature notched, shawl, or peaked lapels. Tuxedo pants differ significantly from suit pants in that they do not have belt loops. Clip-in suspenders are the go-to choice to hold up your pants.

How to Test Suit Fabric Quality

When your big day is approaching, you want everything to be perfect, including your suit or tuxedo. Ordering swatches allows you to examine the feel, composition, and finish of a particular suit fabric. High-quality suits are soft and smooth and will drape well over your body. You can also do a fit test by squeezing the fabric to see how quickly it returns to its original shape.

How Generation Tux Ensures Premium Fabric Quality

At Generation Tux, we select the best materials for our suits and tuxedos. We ensure premium quality fabrics by using 100% Super 130s-140s Merino wool, which is the undisputed champion of all types of suit fabrics. Our premium Merino wool suits and tuxedos offer comfort and breathability, renowned for keeping your appearance sharp and polished, from day to night.

Explore our selection today!