The Truth About ‘Super’ Wool Numbers: Why Higher Isn’t Always Better

Luxury marketing has trained consumers to chase higher “Super” numbers as if they were horsepower figures. The truth is less theatrical and far more interesting.

A Super number measures fibre fineness, not quality, durability, or suitability. A Super 150s fabric uses extremely fine fibres, creating exceptional softness and visual refinement. It also demands precision in spinning, weaving, and finishing. Without full control of the fibre journey, such fabrics become fragile showpieces rather than wearable luxury.

From a fibre-to-fabric perspective, finer fibres reduce margin for error. Yarn twist, loom tension, finishing chemistry, and humidity tolerance must all be recalibrated. This is why many high-Super fabrics feel exquisite in a showroom but age poorly in real life.

Lower Super ranges, when engineered correctly, offer superior performance. Super 110s–130s fabrics retain structure, recover better from wear, and remain elegant over time. They are not compromises. They are informed choices.

True luxury is not chasing the highest number. It is selecting the right fibre expression for the life the garment is meant to live.