Tropical weather suit

[ubiquitous]

What fabric best suits the sweltering summers in India?
I'd like to have a suit stitched that I can wear throughout the summers. And summer temperatures in India can reach upto 45 degrees. Thank God for air conditioners!
I know linen is the popular choice for almost all summer wear suits, but I'm wondering if Egyptian cotton can be used for suiting? Anyone have an egyptian cotton suit?

 

[Ed13]

I would avoid cotton. I have a seersucker suit but wouldn't wear it in 45 degree heat. I have a wool sports jacket made from a fresco weave that is cooler than the seersucker. It is a very open weave. Partial lining and a light canvas will definitely help as well.

 

[BinkieBaumont]

Not quite India, but the Swan River Colony can be frightfully hot during the summer months December- May, when only cottons/Linens will sufice.

 

[ubiquitous]

great photo there...................but how do you judge cotton/linen for quality?
i have egyptian cotton shirts which i absolutely love wearing, and linen comes across as being quite coarse in comparison...............i am wondering if they have egyptian cotton fabric for suits....

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Silk. I find it cooler touching the skin than linen.

bk

 

[Dr Kilroy]

I don't want to hijack this thread in some way, but I've got a question about hot weather suit, too, and I thought that I don't have to start a new thread. I think about getting a summer suit (for really boiling hot days), probably made of cotton, but silk is also an option. Linen is too wrinkling to me. But what's the question: my peculiar preference is to always hide my trousers waistband, either with a cummerbund (only for informal dinner suits, of course), with a waistcoat or a double breasted suit coat (you might have read this in my introduction thread; if you did not, you didn't miss anything interesting ). I was wondering what model would be more appropriate: single breasted coat with a waistcoat or a double breasted coat (which of course wouldn't be ever unbuttoned)? The single breasted coats usually come to our minds when we think about summer suits, but I thought that double breasted isn't bad, too.

Thank you and best regards, Dr

 

[Lokar]

If you're talking high temperatures, then the coolest method would be high waisted trousers and a single breasted lounge coat. Then the waistband wouldn't show below the coat as long as it's buttoned. A waistcoat or double breasted would add a lot of fabric which somewhat defeats the object of a summer suit.

 

[Dr Kilroy]

Ok, thank you. That might be a good idea, I like high waisted trousers. But, has anyone tried to compare three piece single breasted suit and two piece double breasted one when it comes to warmth?

 

[PADDY]

I nearly bought a two piece Tropical Suit a few months ago from a friend. Dates to the late 30's. Made in Calcutta (for an Englishman out there during The Raj). High waisted, nice cinched jacket, SB, single button, made from linen (off white colour). Very nice, just the fit on me wasn't quite *right.* Shame, as the price was right, and the look. I love linen as a fabric and the creasing just gives character to it.

 

[Mr Vim]

Binkie, where did you get this shirt? I find it fabulous and would like something similar.

 

[Nick D]

Ok, thank you. That might be a good idea, I like high waisted trousers. But, has anyone tried to compare three piece single breasted suit and two piece double breasted one when it comes to warmth?

A double breasted jacket will be less fabric around the torso than a three piece suit, especially if it's quarter lined.

 

[Rottweiler]

But what's the question: my peculiar preference is to always hide my trousers waistband, either with a cummerbund (only for informal dinner suits, of course), with a waistcoat or a double breasted suit coat

Waistcoat would be the hottest, followed by double-breasted. Coolest way to cover your waist would be to wear a single-breasted two-piece with a pirate sash.

 

[Chad Sanborn]

I put my vote in for you to get a linen suit. Wrinkles are the only factor but as stated elsewhere, only add character
Also Silk was mentioned, but I find that if you sweat at all it will show more on the silk.

 

[BinkieBaumont]

Binkie, where did you get this shirt? I find it fabulous and would like something similar.

It came from your neck of the woods via ebay, I am considering having it copied, in a few different colour schemes, by my tailor, over in Thailand

 

[carldelo]

Nobody has specifically mentioned seersucker, which is an option. Right now there is a ridiculously good deal ($64) on 2B seersuckers suits at Jos. A Bank:

http://www.josbank.com/menswear/shop/Product_11001_10050_100281

 

[Mr Vim]

I am considering having it copied, in a few different colour schemes, by my tailor, over in Thailand

I would be much obliged if you would let me know how that works out and then perhaps I may order some, I've kept an eye out for such shirts, but haven't found any.

 

[dhermann1]

I posted these shots in the White Bucks thread, but since it hasn't gotten much attention over there, I thought I'd put them here, too. I recently found a website with ALL SORTS of Golden Age images. These are shots of various politicians in Washington DC, some from 1919 and the rest from 1937. Some very instructive images of tropical weather style. Interestingly, no seersucker, but a lot of linen. Some presumably blue blazers, with striped trousers. And of course some nice Panama hats. And they're all wearing white bucks. Enjoy.

 

[dhermann1]

4 more:

 

[cookie]

Nice spade sole bucks...

 

[Edward]

Nobody has specifically mentioned seersucker, which is an option. Right now there is a ridiculously good deal ($64) on 2B seersuckers suits at Jos. A Bank:

http://www.josbank.com/menswear/shop/Product_11001_10050_100281

I looked at those in their windows in a couple of DC branches last week, but didn't think to go in and check prices.... how are the sizings? I've been keeping an eye out for one of these for a while, but I'm not familiar with their sizing system. How is the trouser rise? Oh.... and do they allow you to buy a second pair?