New fabric books regularly arrive from mills around the world, each offering different qualities, colours, patterns, and possibilities. In this video, we take a look at several new collections from Holland & Sherry and share some thoughts on how we approach fabric selection within bespoke tailoring.
While most people naturally focus on colour and pattern first, there is often much more to consider when assessing a cloth.
Looking Beyond Colour
A fabric may look beautiful in a swatch book, but that alone does not determine whether it will make a great garment.
How does it drape? How durable is it? Is it suitable for year-round wear or a particular season? Will it work best as a suit, jacket, or pair of trousers? These are often the questions that matter most in practice.
When reviewing new collections, we spend as much time considering these factors as we do examining the visual appearance of the cloth itself.
The Right Fabric Depends on the Person
There is no universally perfect fabric.
Someone looking for their first navy business suit may require something entirely different from a client commissioning a sport coat, a wedding suit, or a highly specific wardrobe piece.
For that reason, we rarely start with the fabric alone. Instead, we look at how the cloth relates to the individual who will be wearing it and the purpose it needs to serve.
Why New Fabric Books Matter
New collections are always interesting because they introduce fresh possibilities.
Sometimes that means new colours and patterns. Sometimes it means different weights, constructions, or fabric qualities that offer practical advantages for everyday wear.
These books allow us to continually refine our offering and help clients discover options they may never have considered otherwise.
The Fabric Is Only Part of the Story
One of the biggest misconceptions about tailoring is that the most expensive or exclusive cloth is automatically the best choice.
In reality, the best fabric is often the one that suits the client's lifestyle, preferences, climate, and intended use.
That is why we enjoy exploring new collections. Every fabric has its own strengths, and understanding those strengths is an important part of creating clothing that will be enjoyed for years.
