gabardine

[Merc]

when i search clothing items on google, i often get hits from the ask andy forums, particularly from 2007 and 2008- in fact those google searches are what led me there first then and ultimately here,
as on very large sites, the single-to-noise ratio begins to deteriorate.

although i knew bits of this, i read a very succinct item on gabardine that really seems to sum up that topic very speedily:

"gab is a tightly woven that has been used for topcoats as well for many years. gabardine is a tough hard wearing cloth cousin to whipcord and cavalry twill. the matting and compressing of the yarns causes shine. the yarns are so tightly woven together that they will shine long long before they will show signs of wear. those areas are usually elbows, seats, and areas of pressure and abrasion. sometimes a cleaners pressing machine adjusted for too much pressure may cause shine. gab being tightly woven will not allow body heat to escape like a tropical will.
so its not a good choice for summer wear. yet being so tightly woven, it does not have the bulk [fluffy thickness] to be a good insulator. although it is a good wind blocker."

[Will]

It's a fine cloth for temperate weather but otherwise wears too hot in the heat and too cool in the cold.