Camelhair - 100% or a wool mix?

[Russell]

A polo coat is on the list for this year - a full blown one not a city version. Something like the photo below.



I've got samples of the LBD-Harrisons 100% camelhair (83927 & 83926), both are 620 g cloth & are the nicest I've found so far; the darker tan of the two (83927) appeals to me over the lighter (83926) & if nothing else comes along will be the one I choose.

However – with some durability in mind (relative durability that is), I'd also consider a wool & camelhair mixture.

The LBD 85% wool & 15% camelhair (83936) leaves me cold & seems to err too far in the direction of a sheep. It's visually bland & I find it not that pleasant to touch.

A 50/50 wool & camel-hair mix may be a better compromise but which cloth to consider?
In addition, does a 50/50 mix really offer a useful amount of extra durability in practice?

Any thoughts would be welcome.

Regards
Russell

[Milo]

Alden tried to make a Cloth Club camelhair cloth, but unfortunately it never generated enough interest to start production. If however the minimum could be met, that would be my camelhair of choice.

Milo

[Mark Seitelman]

I suggest that you go with 100% camelhair by Harrison's.

The blends will not have the richness of 100% camelhair. You may or may not gain some added durability, but it will not be the same.

A similar situation is artificial wood flooring. It can be cheaper and more durable than real wood, but it will not have the look and feel of real hard wood.

I have a camelhair polo from Oxxford. A blend would not be the same. I must concede that there is some wear at the cuff, but I have had the same areas of wear on my cashmere coats and a very hardy alpacha coat. On the durability issue, I think that ten years is the maximum.

Good luck.

[Pierre Spies]

Hello Russell,

I'm looking to make a polo coat in the coming weeks and would be interested to see the outcome of your coat if it already exists. especially in terms of colour, did you go for Harrisons's camel colored cloth? Light or Dark?

Thanks

Pierre

[Russell]

Hello Russell,

I'm looking to make a polo coat in the coming weeks and would be interested to see the outcome of your coat if it already exists. especially in terms of colour, did you go for Harrisons's camel colored cloth? Light or Dark?

Thanks

Pierre

Pierre,
I went for the darker of the two 'camel' coloured offerings (83927) from Harrisons. The nap is a touch longer than on the lighter version which may or may not be to your liking.

Alas I've not had it made up yet as there's a few more vital garments ahead of it.

Please post some photos of yours when it's done.

Regards
Russell

[Pierre Spies]

Thanks Russell.

I'm also considering this option at J&J Minnis; pattern 2018, pure camel hair, 22oz-630gm cloth. Can be seen on the website.

However I don't know of that particular coating quality at Minnis...

[hectorm]

The blends will not have the richness of 100% camelhair. You may or may not gain some added durability, but it will not be the same.
On the durability issue, I think that ten years is the maximum.

I think that durability depends mainly on how often you wear the garment and how you take care of it. I bought my pure camel hair Polo overcoat from Ralph Lauren (thick cloth and medium nap) at the end of last century and up today it has only minimum wear at the back of the collar and around the buttonholes. On average I wear it 8 times per winter season and I'm looking forward to enjoying it at least ten more years. I agree with Mark and I would not compromise on a blend for the sake of durability. It's not worthwhile.
I love the coat and the only thing I would change is the fact that the peaked lapels do not wrap around the neck the way I would like them to. Although peaked lapels look better when fully open, I hope Russell gets his coat with the combination collar shown in the photograph.

[hectorm]

An update on my last post.
After close inspection of my Polo coat (this time wearing my reading glasses and good light) I think that Mark Seitelman's estimate regarding pure camel hair durability was more accurate than mine.
I thought that my coat had only minor wear after 14 years of gentle use and the truth is that it has significant wear in the collar, cuffs and buttonholes. Time for replacing it. I will stick to pure camel hair (but go for a more functional collar).