Holland & Sherry

Riviera

Cloth Properties

Holland & Sherry

 　→  1121024 dark navy herringbone

  • 60% Super 120’s Worsted Wool, 40% Polyester

  • 280g

  • Twill

When I first had a look at the Riviera bunch book I caught myself thinking sometimes it doesn’t have to be all about luxurious fabrics. Not really the thoughts you expect while browsing through Holland & Sherry swatches. 

But I think my feelings towards polyester got seriously damaged after my clash with the past- the memory of my lackluster approach to suiting in the long forgotten past when most of my wardrobe was polyester suits.

When you see merchants and mills like Holland & Sherry, Loro Piana, Ferla and so on using polyester it should be obvious you can rest assured the synthetic is there for a reason. 

Riviera seemingly isn’t a very prolific cloth, but with the sheer number of amazing bunch books in Holland & Sherrys catalogue, you wouldn’t really expect this one to be one either perhaps.

Now, this sounds like a rather gloomy approach to a cloth I have chosen and it really isn’t.

The benefit of this make is that it provides a really durable cloth perfect for those times you need to pack your suit in a suitcase.

The fiber percentage at first glance looks to be a little too polyester dominant at 40%, but the feel of the cloth doesn’t really give that impression. What this does provide you with is a cloth that will hold its shape and drapes well, that is strong and easy to maintain and care for.

The weight, 280g, also puts this firmly in what to me is a spring or fall suit and to some extent winter. It’s extremely comfortable to wear, although not very breathable like the high-twists I prefer, it still feels light.

Cloth Look

My intention for this suit was making an all around navy suit, sort of a staple piece, not particular to any season. A suit that could be dressed up, or worn casually, travelled in, worn to dinner or if be it a wedding. Never overly formal nor casual.

In such a case I think this cloth is an excellent choice. The herringbone pattern is quite narrow creating the exact look I was after: sort of a shadow stripe, without it looking satin-like, which reveals a herringbone pattern on closer inspection. 

Furthermore, when looking at such cloths, if you’re wise about your colour choice, like the dark navy here, it doesn’t really come off as looking synthetic as such.

I will admit that navy is probably the only colour in which I would choose this cloth for, or any cloth with a percentage of synthetic fibers for that matter.

If you’re not fuzzy about natural and synthetic fibre mix cloths, I can recommend Riviera, especially for people like me living in a country like Japan where you really have to choose fabrics for the season. In such a case this is the perfect cloth to fill that spot between suits with more season specific cloths.