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April l, 2000 The economy is booming and with the extra dollars to spend many gentlemen are stepping up in to the luxury market of men's clothing. Luxury cloths are often associated with terms such as "cashmere and super 120s blend" or "150s merino wool". What is meant by such numbers as " 110", "120" and "150"? The numbers are used to grade the wool. The higher the number the finer the fiber found in the wool yarn, the better the cloth. Before the development of sophisticated measuring devices wool was measured by the touch of the hand. Professionals who were trained in the feel of quality wool fiber would sort the wool into different piles, the richer and softer wool separated from the more coarse variety. The finer, longer fiber would receive a higher grade and generally came from the parts of the animal which were more protected from the weather, such as the underbelly and front chest area. During the early 1990's as the demand for finer wool increased new technical parameters were established in order to grade the wool in a more objective manner. The micron count ( the mean diameter of the fiber) became the pre-eminent factor by which the fineness of the fiber was graded. Today's wool grading chart ranges from super 80's wool with a diameter measuring at 19.5 microns to super 150's measuring at 15.5 microns. Look for the top range to be replaced by super 180's and even 200's as new technology and advanced breeding techniques have allowed for even a finer fiber to be created. To find out more about
the wide collection of luxury fabrics we offer contact hans
at Questions
and comments are always encouraged at 232-7500 or hans@hansherman.com |
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