A High Super Number I love: Utopias Super 180's Suiting Fabrics
A Custom Suit in a Super 180’s Fabric
Is it worth the money? Yeah. It is.
If you’ve ever come to me to have a bespoke suit made, then you’ll know that I am not a big fan of high super numbers and their value-performance-cost proposition. This is the exception. I’m loving the super 180’s in this book. Here’s why…
Super 180’s Suiting Fabric by Utopia for Gladsons. Australian Merino Wool, Made in England.
Super 180’s Luxury Meets Day-In, Day-Out Performance
When you get into Super 180’s fabric territory, the expectation is simple — it better feel amazing. That buttery-soft, cloud-between-your-fingers kind of amazing. This one absolutely delivers.
But here’s the kicker — what really surprised me wasn’t just how luxurious it felt, but how incredibly stable it was. That’s rare. Like–seeing-a-free-parking-spot-on-Rodeo rare.
The Finished Jacket: Super 180’s Custom Suit, Light Gray. 2 Button, Single Breasted, Notch Lapel, A suit with the perfect amount of luxury and performance
Tailor-Tested: The Steam Shrink Gauntlet
I ran this fabric through the steam-shrinking process (because that’s what we nerds do for fun), and I was genuinely impressed with how uniformly it reacted. Most fabrics above the Super 150’s level start getting finicky. They stretch, bounce, or wave like an overexcited yoga mat.
Why? Because a lot of mills get greedy chasing softness — they loosen the weave to make it feel ultra-luxurious, but it ends up too stretchy. The result: a nightmare to tailor cleanly.
This Super 180’s fabric? None of that nonsense. It behaved beautifully — stable, responsive, and predictable. Like a well-trained golden retriever… but, you know, wool.
What Makes This Super 180’s Fabric Unique
A couple things really stood out about this fabric — and both go against what most luxury mills are doing right now.
1. It Has Some Actual Weight to It
Most mills make their Super 180’s fabrics at around 6.5 ounces, because lighter equals “more luxurious,” right? Maybe. But lighter also means less fiber, and less structure.
This one clocks in at 8.5 ounces — which is pretty much perfect for an everyday custom suit. It’s light enough for Los Angeles weather but heavy enough to drape beautifully and resist wrinkling.
And that’s important, because 14.5-micron fibers (the fine stuff used here) are ridiculously rare.
2. It Uses 2-Ply Yarns (and That’s a Big Deal)
Here’s a fun bit of fabric geekery: most high Super-number fabrics use single-ply yarns. It’s cheaper, faster, and makes the fabric feel lighter.
But this Super 180’s uses 2-ply yarns — meaning two ultra-fine yarns are twisted together before weaving. It takes more time, more fiber, and more care… but the payoff is huge.
2-ply construction makes the cloth stronger, more stable, and easier to tailor, without sacrificing softness. Translation: this is one of the few Super 180’s fabrics that can handle regular wear without feeling like you’re suiting up in tissue paper.
The up close finish on the super 180’s fabrics. Great sheen and body with out sacrificing performance
Australian Wool, Milled in England — That’s a Combo
The wool comes from a single farm in New South Wales, Australia, home to around 1,800 merino sheep. Out of all of them, only about 50 sheep produce fibers fine enough (14.5 microns) to make this fabric.
That wool then takes the scenic route to England, where it’s spun, woven, and finished with old-school British precision.
Here’s what blows my mind: for something this rare, this fabric is surprisingly affordable.
The Price (and Why It’s a Steal)
Let’s be honest — Super 180’s suits usually live in the “if-you-have-to-ask” price range. Ready-to-wear versions from Zegna, Isaia, or Brioni can easily hit $7,000 to $9,000.
But this particular cloth lets us craft a fully bespoke two-piece suit for around $5,500. (Unless you’re Shaq-sized — in which case, add a few yards and a few bucks.)
Now, $5,500 isn’t pocket change, but for a luxury bespoke suit made from genuine Super 180’s English-milled wool, that’s incredible value. Especially when it’s a fabric you can actually wear regularly — not just save for your cousin’s wedding or your once-a-year gala.
Final Thoughts
Super 180’s fabrics are often like supercars — gorgeous, exclusive, but not exactly daily drivers. This one breaks that mold. It’s refined, durable, and built for performance — the kind of cloth that can handle day-in, day-out wear while still feeling like pure luxury.
If you’re looking for a custom suit in Los Angeles that feels as good as it looks — and won’t wilt under the California sun — this is the fabric to beat.
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