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High Performance Fabric Trends

Natural and high tech approaches yield wrinkle-resistant cloth

Using natural sources and synthetic processes (and sometimes a combination of the two), innovative mills are rolling out terrific new high performance fabrics. Here's a sampling of the best new wrinkle-resistant natural, synthetic and hybrid products.

Natural: Escorial

Escorial is the world's finest wool (literally).  It is produced from miniature sheep descended from a North African flock kept in the 16th century by King Philip II of Spain at El Escorial monastery near Madrid.  The original bloodline died out in Europe but survived in 100 sheep exported to Tasmania in 1828.  Modern Escorial is produced only on farms in New Zealand and southern Australia.

Escorial is in the range of Super 170's.  The fibers are approximately 12.5 microns in diameter, 25% finer than Super 100's, the gold standard just fifteen years ago (the smaller the micron measurement, the lighter and finer the fabric).

Garments made from Escorial wool are noted for their unparalleled lightness and elasticity.  These characteristics translate into supreme comfort and wrinkle-resistance, two features of particular importance to business travelers.

Hybrid: No-Iron Cotton

Since the advent of the first synthetic fibers, no-iron shirting options have existed; unfortunately, these fabrics were created by blending substantial amounts of polyester, rayon or other synthetic material with cotton. The end results, while achieving the no-iron requirement, did not breathe well, discolored easily, and were generally not as soft or comfortable as 100% cotton.

Going back to the drawing board, scientists have achieved the breakthrough needed in no-iron cotton by treating the raw material with a silicone resin that is actually baked into the final product. Because this silicone resin is heat-activated, shirts made from these new fabrics are wrinkle-free and ready to wear straight from the dryer. These shirts are also manufactured with taped seams to reduce or eliminate puckering. The end result is a comfortable, good-looking shirt that does not require commercial laundering or pressing.

Synthetic: Microfiber

Not to be outdone, pure science rings in with a terrific high-performance cloth in microfiber. Microfiber is a completely synthetic material composed of extremely fine fibers. While wool fibers are measured in microns, microfiber is measured in "denier". A microfiber is 0.9 denier or finer. By comparison, fine silk is approximately 1.25 denier.

Although fine and lightweight, microfiber does not exhibit a flimsy quality; rather, fabrics made from microfiber have depth, body and a luxurious drape. Microfiber is wrinkle-resistant and comfortable in most climates, a boon to travelers. Microfiber has proven to be particularly well-suited for trousers and outerwear.

So whether you opt for all natural, all synthetic, or somewhere in between, a brave new world of high-performance fabrics awaits your challenge - but not your iron.

Do you like the advice you are getting from The Virtual Tailor? It's all here in our book "Business Class". When the time comes to seal the deal, to host the business lunch to close the deal, and to spend the evening with the chairman of the board celebrating the deal, you'll know exactly what to do. You'll know what to wear, which fork to use, where and when to tip, and all those added touches that etch good impressions.