Summer suit

[townie]

I have a few bespoke garments suitable for three seasons but none for warmer weather. Is there really such a thing as a cool suit? I am thinking of a half-lined fresco or linen but surely even a half-lined jacket will be hot. I would welcome any comments or suggestions.

[alden]

It depends which town you are speaking about wearing the suit. In N Europe we can easily wear buggy lined linen and Brisa cloth most days in summer. The Italians wear these in hot weather as well though S. Italy can be a bit much for anything beyond a shirt or linen shirtjacket in July and August.

You can also try a tropical weight worsted made by Smiths Woollens or Lessers.

And do take a minute to peruse the pages of the LL where there are many, many threads on hot weather wear

Cheers

Michael Alden

[Costi]

I find mohair also wears very well in hot weather. Coat buggy lined and trousers unlined, of course. Unlike linen, it doesn't rumple or crease, while the trousers' crease never seems to need refreshing.
My best experience so far, however, is with the LL Brisa - chapeau bas monsieur Alden!

[Scot]

I sympathise with the OP as I still find this a perplexing question, especially when anything less than 20oz is considered girly cloth on LL

This summer I went for a Bateman and Ogden Mohair/Wool mix at about 14oz, half lined. It has a very open weave and drapes well, but it's hot! I suppose it depends whether, as person, you tend to run hot or cold, but the heavy cloth - open weave solution doesn't work well for me; I would need to be standing on top of a hill in a force 9 gale to feel cool.

[Costi]

Feeling hot in a suit has a lot to do with the kind of shirting you are wearing. I prefer linen for summer and, where linen is not appropriate, I have a few Italian poplin shirts with narrow stripes (white and blue/lavender/sky blue) where every 5th or so white stripe is perforated, like lace. These shirts work wonders with an unlined, open weave coat, even in the slightest breeze - even when I simply walk.