Wool Super Numbers Explained

The Super scale describes the average diameter of the wool fibers. As the number rises, the permitted average diameter falls. This tells you about fineness; it does not measure yarn count, cloth weight or tailoring quality.

At Enzo, we discuss the actual composition and intended use of the cloth. For blends, understand what is being described rather than assuming a wool designation explains every fiber present.

A micron is one thousandth of a millimetre. The following lookup uses the maximum average wool-fiber diameter in the Federal Trade Commission’s published guidance. The limit applies to the average, not to the diameter of every individual fiber.

The scale moves toward finer wool as the Super number rises. It does not measure cloth weight, yarn count, weave density or the number of working years a suit will provide. Read the fiber-composition label as well, particularly for a blend.

Fine wool can have a soft, appealing handle. For frequent wear, compare that softness with the cloth’s structure, weight and recovery. A well-chosen lower-Super cloth may suit a busy rotation particularly well.

See our cloth collection for how these choices fit together. Choose the cloth whose drape and handle suit the way you dress.

Handle several suitable cloths without letting the numbers dictate your first impression. Examine how they fall, how much surface sheen they show and whether the texture suits the intended garment. Then read the specifications and ask what explains the differences.

For a travel suit, the most useful cloth may have a crisp structure rather than an exceptionally delicate feel. For an occasional evening suit, surface and softness may take priority.

Pattern development and fit remain essential. A cloth can pull or wear unnecessarily if the garment is too tight in the wrong place. Good care and adequate rotation also matter.

Your clothier can help compare suitable options at different prices and explain why a particular one matches your routine. Custom suit pricing should be understood through the selected order, with the final cost confirmed before production.

When choosing a custom suit, compare two or three cloths suited to the same purpose before deciding whether finer wool improves the garment you want. The number becomes useful when it explains a difference you can feel and intend to wear.