Went to get my wedding suit made today. I really liked the look and feel of the hopsack Navy fabric for a three-piece suit. Is the hopsack too informal, or does that even matter anymore nowadays? It's an evening wedding, FWIW.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Navy Hopsack for a wedding?
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Your wedding, your choice!
You like the look, you like the feel & that is 99% of feeling comfortable and confident in something.
It's a suit, it's navy, don't sweat it.
If anyone at the ceremony wastes time considering what fabric your suit is made of then they're not there for the right reason.
You like the look, you like the feel & that is 99% of feeling comfortable and confident in something.
It's a suit, it's navy, don't sweat it.
If anyone at the ceremony wastes time considering what fabric your suit is made of then they're not there for the right reason.
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Although I agree with Ormonde's comment about people not being there for the right reason, etc., hopsack is an informal fabric. It's one I've always thought more appropriate to odd jackets. As a result, not something I would regard as optimal (certainly for a formal occasion, as a three piece).
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Yes B, agreed, but when you have people nowadays at weddings wearing sarongs, wetsuits, shorts & t-shirts, and pyjamas in church I don't think the material of a navy suit would raise even the most conservative Victorian eyebrow. 
99% of the people there will see him in a navy suit. 1% will consider the decline of western civilisation when a man can wear a hopsack suit to his own wedding
99% of the people there will see him in a navy suit. 1% will consider the decline of western civilisation when a man can wear a hopsack suit to his own wedding
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I think both perspectives are valid, depending on what the OP cares about.
I agree that few people will care about this, as you say. It is helpful advice to say - as you do - that a navy suit is a good choice for an evening event that is not black tie, most people will not notice the fabric and - given the nature of the event - even if they do, who cares.
Equally, I think it is valid to point out that hopsack is a more informal fabric. I've always associated it with blazers. Certainly it is a closer to the informality of birdseye than a smooth worsted. This too may provide useful context, especially as the OP is commissioning something and asking for advice (even if he feels he can safely disregard the more traditional perspective).
EDIT: I also wonder whether there is something in the three piece suit point. It's been a long time since most people have worn three piece suits as more casual suits (leaving aside the iGentry). If the OP is seeking to commission a three piece to adopt a more formal look, then again there is a risk of tension between the hopsack and the purpose for the suit. A smoother worsted will, to my eye, also appear visually more elegant than a worsted at this sort of occasion (although I would be looking for something in formality one notch down from black tie).
I agree that few people will care about this, as you say. It is helpful advice to say - as you do - that a navy suit is a good choice for an evening event that is not black tie, most people will not notice the fabric and - given the nature of the event - even if they do, who cares.
Equally, I think it is valid to point out that hopsack is a more informal fabric. I've always associated it with blazers. Certainly it is a closer to the informality of birdseye than a smooth worsted. This too may provide useful context, especially as the OP is commissioning something and asking for advice (even if he feels he can safely disregard the more traditional perspective).
EDIT: I also wonder whether there is something in the three piece suit point. It's been a long time since most people have worn three piece suits as more casual suits (leaving aside the iGentry). If the OP is seeking to commission a three piece to adopt a more formal look, then again there is a risk of tension between the hopsack and the purpose for the suit. A smoother worsted will, to my eye, also appear visually more elegant than a worsted at this sort of occasion (although I would be looking for something in formality one notch down from black tie).
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Very true.
Thanks, all for your opinions!
I want this to be a suit that I'd be proud to wear for some time after the wedding, as well. So don't want it to be too "novel". Good point, indeed, about the formality of the occasion in disagreement with the informality of the look/fabric. The wedding is supposed to be "one step down from a black tie", so that's certainly something to consider.
You've all been very helpful, much appreciated!
I want this to be a suit that I'd be proud to wear for some time after the wedding, as well. So don't want it to be too "novel". Good point, indeed, about the formality of the occasion in disagreement with the informality of the look/fabric. The wedding is supposed to be "one step down from a black tie", so that's certainly something to consider.
You've all been very helpful, much appreciated!
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I'm with Balfour. Hopsack is a bit casual and probably not the most versatile for future use.
Oh yes, and congratulations.
Oh yes, and congratulations.
I agree with Balfour on this one as well-- not a big faux pas to do the hopsack, but worsted would be a more formal look. Maybe it depends a little on what you will wear the suit for after the wedding. If you want a little more casual take, then go with the hopsack.
I just got a blue suit in a fine suiting hopsack (Harrison's Oyster #75712), and I'd be proud to wear it to my wedding if I have another one (which seems most unlikely). Come to think it over, I think the last suit I was married in was a hopsack, although I'm not sure. The fact of the matter is that no-one but the most diehard clothing enthusiast is going to notice whether you are wearing hopsack or worsted, know the difference or care. If you like the hopsack fabric, go with it, I say.
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I find hopsack to be an odd choice for a three-piece suit considering it's a rather informal cloth. From most formal to less formal solid and semi-solid cloths for a suit it goes something like:
Plain weave
Serge
Herringbone (solid)
Pick-and-Pick/Sharkskin
Pinhead
Nailhead
Birdseye
Worsted Flannel
Hopsack
Woolen Flannel
Tweed
That's the way I see it, though it's not so straight-forward. But for a wedding I'd hesitate to wear anything in the last group. I would soonest choose something in the first group for my own wedding, but if you'd like something not so plain I'd recommend a birdseye cloth. It's similar to hopsack but to me it seems much more appropriate.
Plain weave
Serge
Herringbone (solid)
Pick-and-Pick/Sharkskin
Pinhead
Nailhead
Birdseye
Worsted Flannel
Hopsack
Woolen Flannel
Tweed
That's the way I see it, though it's not so straight-forward. But for a wedding I'd hesitate to wear anything in the last group. I would soonest choose something in the first group for my own wedding, but if you'd like something not so plain I'd recommend a birdseye cloth. It's similar to hopsack but to me it seems much more appropriate.
Hi all,
This was my first thread posted as a member, and have to say I'm very impressed with the helpfulness of everyone! Thank you, and thank you all for the congratulations!
If you're interested in my decision, I changed to worsted. The only less traditional (as far as I know; maybe it's more traditional?) part is that I had the vest made completely with the wool, and no lining on the back. I wanted something nice and formal that represents my respect for the day and my fiance, something that is more timeless and I could wear over and over again, and to get a closer compliment to her dress fabric (though i haven't seen it, it's supposedly more of a smooth look than a matte feel/look).
If you're still interested in more details, I was thinking these Allen Edmonds: () in the burnished brown, and an eggplant purple tie (it's one of our colors).
This was my first thread posted as a member, and have to say I'm very impressed with the helpfulness of everyone! Thank you, and thank you all for the congratulations!
If you're interested in my decision, I changed to worsted. The only less traditional (as far as I know; maybe it's more traditional?) part is that I had the vest made completely with the wool, and no lining on the back. I wanted something nice and formal that represents my respect for the day and my fiance, something that is more timeless and I could wear over and over again, and to get a closer compliment to her dress fabric (though i haven't seen it, it's supposedly more of a smooth look than a matte feel/look).
If you're still interested in more details, I was thinking these Allen Edmonds: () in the burnished brown, and an eggplant purple tie (it's one of our colors).
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I'm sure someone else knows better than I do about this, but I suspect that one of the reasons vests are traditionally made with a satin or lining-type material on the back is so that you aren't too hot when you're wearing the suit. I'd be concerned that the two layers of wool on the back might be too much, at least in couthern California.
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