Summer Men’s Suit: How to Stay Cool and Confident

Are you feeling hot and uncomfortable in your men's summer suit, despite choosing a thinner material? It's time to take a closer look at the lining. While the suit fabric plays a role in breathability, the lining can make all the difference in keeping you cool. In this article, we'll explore:

• The key to a cool summer suit - what is a suit lining?
• Different types of suit linings available in the market for summer suits
• The best lining material for summer suits - Cupro/Bemberg™

In the previous article on choosing the right suit fabric, a reader shared his experience of feeling overheated in a summer suit. After spending a significant amount of money on a Zegna suit, he was disappointed to find that the suit felt too hot to wear comfortably. When he questioned the tailor about the fabric, the tailor claimed that the reader was simply too sensitive to the heat. 

While counterfeit fabrics are always a possibility, in this case, the issue was not with the suit fabric, but rather the lining. Don't worry, we'll explain everything you need to know to stay cool and comfortable in your men's suit this summer.

The key to a cool summer suit - what is a suit lining?

Traditional designs prioritise structure and formality that’s why a suit jacket typically consists of two layers of fabric - the outer wool or linen material, and an inner layer of the lining which is a separate piece of fabric that sits inside the suit. While some may wonder why wool isn't used as lining material, there are several reasons why this is not the case:

1) Anti-static

Wool is the primary material used in men's suits, and while it may be luxurious and stylish, it can also be prone to static electricity. Wool fibres, including cashmere and other wool blends, have a charge that's up to 40 times greater than that of cotton and other materials when they rub against other surfaces. 

Lower-quality suit fabrics may contain synthetic fibres, which have lower moisture regain than wool fibres and are more prone to static buildup. This issue is especially problematic in dry, winter months. To combat static and maintain the shape of the suit, an anti-static lining is required.

2) Comfortable and smooth 

You may not be able to feel the outer fabric of your men’s suit directly, but the smoothness of the lining is crucial to your comfort. To protect the suit and make it more comfortable to wear, a lining must be added to the suit. If you want to learn more about choosing the right suit fabric, check out our preview article on the 5 tips on how to choose the right fabric for your men’s suit.  

3) Breathable and Cool

When it comes to choosing a lining for your men's suit, breathability and moisture absorption should be top priorities. Unfortunately, not all linings are created equal. Even if you use a breathable summer wool fabric for your summer suit, a non-breathable lining made of polyester can make you feel uncomfortably hot in the summer.

Remember the reader at the beginning of this article? His suit's lining was made of polyester, which completely negated the coolness of the wool fabric. Even if you invest in a high-quality summer suit fabric from premium brands such as Ermenegildo Zegna's Amazing Cool Effect series, a poor lining choice can make it a waste of money.

Different types of suit linings available in the market for summer suits

There are only a few options available in the market and it’s easy to make the right choice:

1) Polyester 

Polyester is the most commonly used lining material, with over 80% of the linings on the market being made of domestic polyester. It comes in many styles and is also the cheapest option, so most tailors will suggest it if you don't request another type of lining.

Pros:

• Low price
• Strong tearing and pulling force
• Outstanding effect when dyed in bright colours

Cons:

• Not breathable
• Can feel hot and sticky against the skin
• Prone to generating static electricity

2) Rayon (Viscose)

Rayon, also known as Viscose is a European traditional high-grade lining material made of semi-artificial wood pulp fibres that are a step up from polyester. While the supply mostly comes from China now, these linings offer a better feel than their synthetic counterparts. They are often referred to as "artificial silk" due to their comfortable feel. However, the quality can be uneven, and dyeing may not be consistent.

Pros:

• Breathable
• Nice and soft to touch

Cons:

• Easy to wrinkle
• Prone to shrinkage
• Uneven dyeing

3) Silk

Natural silk is a relatively rare but luxurious option. It has a delicate and smooth texture, making it comfortable to wear. However, high-quality silk production is small, making it an expensive choice. Additionally, the quality of other silk linings varies greatly, so it's important to be careful when choosing. 

Pros:

• Delicate and smooth texture

Cons:

• Expensive
• High maintenance 
• Prone to colour bleeding 

4) Cupro - also known as Bemberg™

Cupro, is a high-end lining material that originated in Germany. It is a type of Rayon made from Cuprammonium, and is considered the best lining material available in the market. High-end international brands widely use Cupro to line their suits and Bemberg™ is the name of the cupro fabric which Asahi Kasei produces in Japan. Even Ermenegildo Zegna's cupro lining is produced by Asahi Kasei.

 

Pros:

• Smooth to touch
• Moisture regulation
• Breathable
• Anti-static
• Environmentally friendly to produce
• Easy to dye

Cons:

• More expensive than other synthetic linings

 

In a nutshell, wool is a fantastic choice for a suit fabric because of its breathability. But to truly reap its benefits, you need to pair it with the right lining. And when it comes to pure wool suits, Rayon or Bemberg™ are the way to go because they offer superior breathability and moisture absorption. At The Lancelot, we're all about giving our customers the best experience possible, which is why we exclusively use Bemberg™ lining in our suits. Don't forget, even if you choose a thin fabric for your summer suit, without a proper lining, you'll still feel hot and uncomfortable.

The best lining material for summer suit - Cupro/Bemberg™

Is Bemgerg (Cupro) really the best option you can choose for your suit lining? Here are some  scientific data to back this up. Anyone here loves exploring data as I do? 

Cotton Linter from Cotton

Bemberg™ is made with cotton linter, which is a soft, fibrous material that surrounds cotton seeds, and it has a variety of applications. To produce recycled fibre, the linter must be refined and dissolved using special techniques, resulting in a high-quality material that can be used in a variety of products.

Advantage 1: Soft and luxurious touch

When it comes to suit lining, Bemberg™ is the perfect choice! Not only is it breathable and comfortable, but the cross-section of its fibres is approximately a perfect circle, making it smooth and gentle on even the most sensitive skin. No need to worry about irritation or damage with this lining.

See how the friction of Bemberg™ is significantly lower than that of polyester and silk from the graph below:

Advantage 2: Humidity regulation

During summer, the human body can produce up to 600cc of gaseous sweat every day, which can make wearing a men's suit feel sticky and uncomfortable. But with Bemberg™ lining, the story is different.

Its unique ability to absorb moisture from the skin and release it into the air can help suppress the sticky feeling, ensuring a breathable and comfortable feel. So, if you want to keep cool and comfortable while looking sharp in your suit this summer, consider getting your suit lined with Bemberg™

 

Advantage 3: Suitable for all seasons

Comfort and functionality are key for men’s suits, especially during the hot summer months. That's where Bemberg™ lining comes in! This innovative material uses the humidity of the human body to generate heat when it's cold outside, while dissipating excess heat in the hot summer weather, making you feel cool and comfortable all season long.

The non-crystalline part of Bemberg™ fibre is what sets it apart. It contains a large amount of water, which helps to dissipate heat to the outside, providing a refreshing cool feeling even in the hottest of summers.

And when the weather turns cold, Bemberg™'s moisture-absorbing properties come into play, converting the energy of moisture in the air into heat to keep you warm.

But that's not all - Bemberg™ also helps to dissipate static electricity in the winter months, thanks to its high water content. So whether you're battling the summer heat or the winter chill, Bemberg™ lining has got you covered for a comfortable and stylish men's suit all year round.

Advantage 4: Vibrant colour

Check out this fascinating image below, which showcases a comparison of fabrics being dyed under identical conditions in Bemberg™, Rayon, and Cotton. It's incredible to see how much more vibrant and rich the colours appear in Bemberg™

Our verdict

In conclusion, Bemberg™ is the ultimate choice for lining men's suits, especially in the summer. With its unique characteristics such as breathability, moisture absorption, and dissipation, it ensures that you stay cool, comfortable and sweat-free, even in the hottest weather. 

Bemberg™'s smooth surface and non-irritating fibres provide excellent skin compatibility, while its ability to dissipate static electricity in winter ensures that you always look your best. Additionally, its vibrant colour retention capabilities ensure that the suit retains its original colour for a long time. 

By choosing Bemberg™ as the lining material, you are investing in a high-quality, sustainable and comfortable lining option for your suit that will not only enhance the overall look but also provide unparalleled comfort and durability.

📌Browse the Resources page to view everything you need to know about ordering your bespoke suit in Hong Kong, including how to select the right fabric, how to style and care for your suit etc.

 

 

At The Lancelot, we believe that every man deserves to experience the luxury of a well-made bespoke suit lined with Bemberg™. That's why all of our suits come with Bemberg™ lining at no extra charge. If you're looking for a suit that's both breathable and cool, made with high-quality fabrics and tailored specifically to your body shape and size in Hong Kong, then check out The Lancelot Latest Offers. 

We take pride in our attention to detail and will design your own tailoring from scratch to ensure a perfect fit. We hope you've enjoyed reading about the benefits of Bemberg™ lining in this article. If you agree that suits don't have to be hot and stuffy, Subscribe to The Lancelot, support us and share this article with your friends!