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Each month we ask our expert tailors to address one of your most frequent questions. This month we’re explaining all about superfine shirting fabric and why you might want to add it to your wardrobe.
We’re on a role with tailoring buzzwords. Last month we addressed breathable and lightweight fabrics, and today we’re covering superfine shirting fabric.
What is superfine shirting?
Superfine shirting is a fabric used to make luxury shirts. It’s unique thanks to the incredibly fineness of the fibers it’s woven from.
Strictly speaking, the only cotton fiber that can be made fine enough to create superfine shirting is Giza 45 from Egypt… and this can only be harvested every second year. The uniqueness and exclusivity of this all contribute to the luxury associated with it.
What are the benefits?
Superfine shirting is incredibly light and has a silk-like feel to it. It’s soft and comfortable to wear and offers a freshness that’s difficult to imitate with any other fabric.
Somewhat confusingly, superfine shirting is actually warmer to wear than thicker shirting fabrics. This is because the superfine yarns have to be woven incredibly densely. Superfine shirting fabrics are therefore better suited to the cooler months. They’re particularly suited to formalwear over the festive season.
Is superfine shirting for you?
Superfine shirting fabrics make beautiful shirts. If you like your fabric as soft and light as possible, this may be a great option.
However, we will warn you that they’re prone to wrinkling and a real pain to iron. This is because anti-wrinkle and easy-iron treatments are too heavy to be applied to this kind of fabric.
This may not be a problem for you if you have an ironing service. Even if you don’t, you may decide that the super-soft freshness of a superfine shirt is well worth the extra time with the ironing board!
Next month we’ll be asking our tailors to cover another frequently asked tailoring question. Sign up to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss it.