velvet or wool?

[cable scot]

Haveing saved and worked the expence with my soon to be wife(the wedding to be the reason) I now get to choose, a sheriffmuir in black wool or midnight blue velvet. Under artifical light black has a greenish hue, midnight blue looks BLACK. The cost difference is noteable,but the care and feeding? how do they wear,last ect... I've seen pics of rabble in wool but not in velvet, Why? Is wool in the long run better for my money?Does velvet not look as good as I think? Is it fragile,weak and hard to care for?For my part it is a couple of hundred dollars diffrence and I want to look almost as good as my girl will,but I plan to have this for a good long time and would like it to be a good investment. I do plan to buy the wool one from Scotweb or the velvet from Highland clans who I have had good dealings with.

thanks in advance
Andy

[LitTrog]

I have experience with both. The velvet looks great but is harder to maintain and susceptible to water spotting. I do not regret buying my velvet sheriffmuir, however...love it!

[davidg]

If you care for it well velvet will last as long as wool and stay looking good but it is susceptible to numerous problems. Crushing is one problem, removing sticky residue dropped on the fibres is another

Personally I would go for the black barathea. It is traditional, looks good, and is relatively easy to care for. Velvet requires more effort, can be seen as flamboyant, and according to my daughter gives you the "Mike Myers" look

[McMurdo]

I would agree that Barathea wool would be easier to care for, however as someone who has a Black Barathea doublet I can say without a doubt if I were to purchase another doublet it would be in velvet. I would also point out that there are photos on the forum of Sandy in his velvet doublet. Here is a link showing him in one

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ml#post1037862

[artificer]

For sheer WOW factor, you cannot beat velvet. It's traditional, looks fantastic, and will really set you apart in a room full of penguins.

That said, Barathea is much easier to maintain in it's "like new" condition.

Even taking the care & maintenance issues into consideration, my vote is still for the midnight blue velvet.

ith:

[longhuntr74]

I'll put in a hearty vote for VELVET! Set yourself apart from the rest of the room for the rest of your life. The HC jacket will be 2x better (quality and fit) than Scotweb too, I'm guessing.

[creagdhubh]

I agree with McMurdo. My next doublet will be in the Regulation style and made of black velvet, yet I do own the same doublet in black barathea. My vote is to have doublets or coatees in both fabrics, so you are not wearing the velvet variant all the time, allowing it to 'rest.' Same mentality as fine leather brogues.

[cable scot]

So we seem to be getting more votes for velvet.Care and feeding advice,pitfalls? Did you guys buy wool first because of the cost ratio?
What is crushing? And god please I don't want to look like Mike Myers!

[davidg]

What is crushing?

Dixiecat is right enough with advice about crushing but in my experience the single most reason for crushing velvet is inexperience, an iron and a pressing cloth. DON'T

If you try to press out any creases that way you will simply crush the pile and ruin the jacket. 100% cotton should have any creases fall out if hung in a warm room. Steaming is good, preferably from the inside, but avoid water spotting on the pile at all costs

I'd still go for barathea though. Velvet may have you stand out in a crowd but I prefer to blend in

[creagdhubh]

Dixiecat is right enough with advice about crushing but in my experience the single most reason for crushing velvet is inexperience, an iron and a pressing cloth. DON'T

If you try to press out any creases that way you will simply crush the pile and ruin the jacket. 100% cotton should have any creases fall out if hung in a warm room. Steaming is good, preferably from the inside, but avoid water spotting on the pile at all costs

I'd still go for barathea though. Velvet may have you stand out in a crowd but I prefer to blend in

Never iron or press a silk velvet doublet! Why on Earth would someone do that? Natural creases from wear - in the right places - give the velvet doublet or coatee a certain amount of character, in my opinion. For the rest, a suitable wooden suit hanger does the job.

Cheers,