Scabal: Crafting Luxury Since 1938 - Why TS Custom Suits Partners with This Belgian Icon
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In the world of luxury fabric mills, Scabal stands as a beacon of innovation, quality, and timeless elegance. At TS Custom Suits, we're privileged to work with this legendary Belgian house whose fabrics represent the pinnacle of wool craftsmanship and textile innovation. When you choose a bespoke suit crafted from Scabal fabric, you're wearing 85 years of Belgian excellence, groundbreaking innovation, and an unwavering commitment to creating the world's finest wool fabrics.
The Scabal Story: From Brussels to the World
The Scabal legacy begins in 1938 when Otto Hertz, a visionary textile merchant, founded the company in Brussels, Belgium. The name "Scabal" itself is derived from the Latin phrase "Scabellum Pedes" (meaning footstool), symbolizing the foundation of quality upon which the business was built. From its inception, Scabal was established with a singular mission: to source and distribute the finest wool fabrics available anywhere in the world.
Brussels in the 1930s was a thriving center of European commerce and culture, making it the perfect location for a luxury fabric business. The city's strategic position at the heart of Europe allowed Scabal to access the finest wool-producing regions while serving the continent's most discerning tailors and their clients. What began as a wool merchant quickly evolved into something far more significant—a fabric innovator that would fundamentally change how the world thought about luxury suiting fabrics.
A Vision Realized Through Generations
Otto Hertz's vision wasn't simply to trade in fine fabrics—it was to elevate the entire concept of what wool fabric could be. He understood that discerning gentlemen wanted more than just beautiful cloth; they wanted fabrics that performed exceptionally, maintained their appearance over years, and provided a wearing experience that justified their investment. This philosophy would guide Scabal through decades of innovation and growth.
Today, Scabal remains privately owned and continues to operate with the same commitment to excellence that defined its founding. The company has expanded globally, with offices and showrooms in major cities worldwide, but its heart remains in Belgium, where the tradition of textile excellence continues uninterrupted. This continuity of vision and values resonates deeply with TS Custom Suits—we both understand that true luxury is timeless, not trendy, and that excellence requires unwavering commitment across generations.
Pioneering the Super Wools Revolution
One of Scabal's most significant contributions to luxury menswear was pioneering the use of superfine wools—the "Super" designations that have become standard in high-end suiting. In the 1960s and 70s, when most suit fabrics used wools measuring 20+ microns in diameter, Scabal began working with fibers as fine as 14-15 microns, creating fabrics of unprecedented softness and refinement.
Understanding Super Numbers
The "Super" designation refers to the fineness of the wool fiber used in a fabric. Super 100s means the wool fibers measure approximately 18-19 microns in diameter; Super 150s indicates fibers around 15-16 microns; and Super 200s represents incredibly fine fibers of approximately 13 microns. The finer the fiber, the softer and more luxurious the fabric feels, though this must be balanced with durability considerations.
Scabal wasn't content to simply use superfine wools—they perfected the art of working with them. Spinning, weaving, and finishing superfine fibers requires extraordinary expertise because these delicate fibers can be challenging to process without compromising their integrity. Scabal's technical mastery allowed them to create fabrics that were not only incredibly soft but also surprisingly durable—a combination that seemed almost impossible with such fine fibers.
When you select a Scabal fabric for your bespoke suit, you're benefiting from decades of expertise in working with the world's finest wools. Whether you choose a Super 120s for everyday business wear or a Super 180s for special occasions, you can be confident that Scabal has optimized every aspect of the fabric to deliver both luxury and performance.
The Art and Science of Scabal Fabrics
What distinguishes Scabal from other fabric mills is their unique approach that combines traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation. While they honor the heritage techniques that have defined luxury textiles for centuries, they're never afraid to push boundaries and explore new possibilities.
Sourcing the World's Finest Wools
Scabal's commitment to excellence begins with fiber selection. Their buyers travel to Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa—the world's premier wool-producing regions—to personally inspect and select the finest lots available. Only wools that meet Scabal's exacting standards for fineness, length, strength, and consistency are purchased, ensuring that every fabric begins with exceptional raw materials.
The company maintains long-standing relationships with top wool producers, often contracting for specific qualities of wool before the sheep are even shorn. This forward planning ensures access to the absolute best fibers, even when global wool quality varies due to weather conditions or other factors affecting sheep and their fleece.
Mastery of Weaving and Construction
Scabal works with the finest mills in Europe—primarily in Italy and England—to weave their fabrics, but the company maintains complete control over specifications, quality standards, and finishing processes. This partnership model allows Scabal to leverage the specialized expertise of the world's best weaving facilities while maintaining the consistency and quality that has made them legendary.
The weaving specifications for Scabal fabrics are incredibly precise. Every aspect—from yarn tension to picks per inch, from selvage construction to finishing treatments—is specified in detail to ensure that the completed fabric meets Scabal's exacting standards. This attention to detail during weaving creates fabrics with exceptional consistency, crucial for bespoke tailoring where every meter must perform identically.
Color Development and Dyeing Excellence
Scabal's color expertise is legendary in the industry. Their seasonal collections feature palettes that range from timeless business classics to fashion-forward statements, each color developed with meticulous attention to how it will appear in different lighting conditions and how it will age with wear.
The company's dyeing partners use proprietary techniques to achieve colors of remarkable depth and consistency. Scabal colors aren't simply surface treatments—the dye penetrates deeply into the fiber, ensuring colorfastness and creating shades that reveal subtle complexity under natural light. Their navy blues display hints of depth that cheap dyes can never achieve; their grays range from cool to warm tones, each with its own character; and their fashion colors maintain vibrancy without appearing garish.
Innovative Finishing Processes
After weaving and dyeing, Scabal fabrics undergo finishing processes that enhance their natural qualities and add performance characteristics that make them ideal for modern life. These finishes might include:
Natural Stretch Enhancement - Through specialized treatments and yarn construction, Scabal can add subtle stretch that enhances comfort and ease of movement without compromising the fabric's structure or appearance.
Water and Stain Resistance - Advanced finishing techniques create fabrics that naturally resist water and stains, allowing spills to bead and roll off the surface rather than penetrating the fiber. This protection doesn't rely on heavy coatings that would compromise breathability.
Wrinkle Recovery - Innovative mechanical and chemical treatments enhance wool's natural wrinkle resistance, helping Scabal fabrics maintain their crisp appearance throughout long days of wear.
Soft Handle Enhancement - Specialized finishing processes can make fabrics feel even softer than their fiber fineness would suggest, creating an incredibly luxurious hand-feel that's immediately apparent when you touch the fabric.
The Scabal Collections: Innovation in Every Thread
Scabal's fabric collections represent the breadth of their expertise and innovation. Each collection is designed for specific purposes and preferences, ensuring that every client can find the perfect fabric for their needs.
Super Luxury Collections
Jewel - Perhaps Scabal's most famous collection, Jewel fabrics are made from the finest wools available—typically Super 150s to Super 180s. These fabrics offer extraordinary softness, beautiful drape, and a refined appearance that's perfect for special occasions and important business meetings. The Jewel collection proves that superfine wools can be both luxurious and durable when crafted with Scabal's expertise.
Royal - Taking luxury even further, Royal fabrics feature Super 180s to Super 200s wools that represent the absolute pinnacle of softness and refinement. These fabrics are reserved for the most discerning clients who want the ultimate in luxury for their bespoke suits. The hand-feel of Royal fabrics is incomparable—so soft that it's almost difficult to believe you're touching wool.
Diamond - Combining super-fine wools with subtle luxury fibers like silk or cashmere, Diamond fabrics offer enhanced softness and a refined sheen that catches light beautifully. These blends provide visual interest and tactile luxury while maintaining the performance characteristics of fine wool.
Performance Collections
Hall of Fame - This collection represents Scabal's commitment to creating fabrics that perform exceptionally in real-world conditions. Hall of Fame fabrics typically feature Super 120s to Super 140s wools—fine enough to feel luxurious but robust enough for regular business wear. These fabrics resist wrinkles naturally, maintain their shape beautifully, and look sharp even after long days and frequent travel.
Impact - Engineered specifically for active professionals, Impact fabrics incorporate natural stretch and enhanced durability while maintaining a refined appearance. The collection is perfect for men who need suits that move with them throughout demanding days while looking impeccably tailored.
Phoenix - Combining innovation with practicality, Phoenix fabrics feature enhanced wrinkle resistance and shape retention, making them ideal for travel and situations where maintaining a sharp appearance is crucial but pressing isn't always possible.
Four Season Collections
Magic - These versatile fabrics are designed to perform beautifully year-round, combining breathability for warm weather with insulating properties for cooler temperatures. Magic fabrics prove that you don't need separate summer and winter suits—one well-crafted Scabal suit can serve you across all seasons.
Club - Classic business fabrics that work equally well in air-conditioned offices and outdoor settings, Club fabrics offer the versatility that modern professionals need. Available in a wide range of colors and patterns, Club provides excellent value while maintaining Scabal's quality standards.
Specialty Collections
Mohair Collections - Scabal's mohair blends combine wool's warmth and resilience with mohair's natural luster and breathability. These fabrics have a distinctive sheen and crisp hand that's perfect for summer suiting and tropical climates.
Silk Blends - For occasions that call for extra refinement, Scabal's silk-blend fabrics offer enhanced softness and a subtle luxury sheen. These fabrics catch light beautifully, creating visual interest while maintaining professional appropriateness.
Cashmere Blends - Combining superfine wool with cashmere creates fabrics of extraordinary softness perfect for cool-weather suits and elegant evening wear. These blends offer the ultimate in tactile luxury.
What Makes Scabal Perfect for Bespoke Tailoring
When our master tailors at TS Custom Suits work with Scabal fabrics, we're working with materials specifically designed for the demands of bespoke tailoring. Here's why Scabal excels:
Exceptional Consistency
Scabal's quality control ensures that every meter of fabric meets identical standards. This consistency is crucial for bespoke tailoring—we need to know exactly how the fabric will behave during construction and how it will perform on your body. With Scabal, we have that confidence.
Perfect Drape and Handle
The way Scabal fabrics drape on the body is crucial to achieving the refined silhouette that defines exceptional tailoring. These fabrics hang naturally, creating clean lines and elegant proportions without requiring excessive manipulation during construction. The fabric works with our tailoring techniques rather than against them.
Resilience and Longevity
A bespoke suit is an investment, and Scabal fabrics are engineered to protect that investment. Their fabrics maintain their appearance, structure, and feel through years of regular wear. The natural resilience of their wools means your suit will resist wrinkles, recover its shape naturally, and continue looking sharp season after season.
Response to Hand Tailoring
Scabal fabrics respond beautifully to traditional hand-tailoring techniques. They hold their shape during construction, accept hand-stitching cleanly, and can be molded and shaped using traditional pressing techniques. This responsiveness allows our tailors to achieve the perfect fit and finish that defines true bespoke work.
Versatility Across Styles
Whether you prefer traditional styling or contemporary cuts, Scabal fabrics work beautifully with any approach. Their fabrics have the substance to support structured tailoring yet the softness to work with unconstructed designs. This versatility ensures that your personal style preferences can be fully realized.
Why TS Custom Suits Trusts Scabal
At TS Custom Suits, we could partner with any fabric mill in the world. We feature Scabal prominently because their commitment to innovation, quality, and customer service aligns perfectly with our own values.
Innovation That Serves Real Needs
We appreciate that Scabal's innovations aren't marketing gimmicks—they solve real problems that our clients face. Wrinkle-resistant fabrics for travelers, natural stretch for comfort, lightweight options for warm climates—these innovations enhance the wearing experience while maintaining the luxury that defines Scabal.
Consistent Quality Across Price Points
Whether our client chooses an entry-level Scabal fabric or their most luxurious collection, the quality standards remain consistent. This reliability means we can confidently recommend Scabal fabrics across various budgets, knowing that every client will receive exceptional value.
Breadth of Selection
Scabal's extensive range of collections, colors, and patterns ensures that we can find the perfect fabric for every client's needs, preferences, and lifestyle. From conservative business wear to fashion-forward statements, Scabal offers options that excel in every context.
Partnership and Support
Beyond simply supplying fabrics, Scabal provides expertise and support that helps us serve our clients better. Their technical knowledge, fabric care recommendations, and commitment to customer service make them ideal partners for our bespoke tailoring business.
The Scabal Experience at TS Custom Suits
When you choose a bespoke suit from TS Custom Suits featuring Scabal fabric, your experience includes:
Comprehensive Fabric Consultation
We begin by understanding your needs, lifestyle, and how you'll wear your suit. Will it be daily business wear? Special occasions? Travel? Your lifestyle determines which Scabal collection is ideal for your needs.
Education on Super Numbers
Many clients are curious about Super numbers and what they mean for their suit. We explain the differences between Super 120s, 150s, and 180s, helping you understand the trade-offs between luxury and durability so you can make the right choice for your needs.
Visual Fabric Presentation
Through our virtual consultation process, we show you actual Scabal fabric samples, allowing you to see the weave, color, and texture clearly before making your selection. This visual presentation helps you understand exactly what you're choosing.
Climate and Lifestyle Considerations
We discuss your local climate, any travel you do, and your daily activities to recommend Scabal fabrics that perform optimally in your specific conditions. A fabric perfect for cool climates might not be ideal for tropical heat, and we ensure you select appropriately.
Pattern and Color Guidance
With your chosen collection identified, we explore available colors and patterns, selecting options that work with your existing wardrobe, personal style, and the occasions you'll wear your suit.
Long-term Care Education
After your suit is complete, we provide specific care instructions for Scabal fabrics, including pressing recommendations, cleaning frequency, and storage guidance to help you maintain your investment properly.
Belgian Excellence Meets Modern Convenience
Traditionally, accessing Scabal fabrics for bespoke tailoring required visiting a high-end tailor in a major city—an option limited by geography and time. At TS Custom Suits, we've transformed this experience through our innovative virtual consultation process.
We bring Scabal's finest fabrics directly to you through video consultation, guiding you through the selection process with the same expertise you'd receive in a traditional showroom. The result is a custom bespoke suit that combines Belgian excellence, expert craftsmanship, and modern convenience.
For clients in Northeast Florida or those visiting Jacksonville, we welcome you to our private showroom at Hidden Hills Golf and Country Club, where you can experience our complete Scabal collection in person and enjoy personalized service in an elegant setting.
Sustainability and Responsible Manufacturing
Both Scabal and TS Custom Suits share a commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices. Scabal's approach to responsible manufacturing includes:
Responsible Wool Sourcing - Working with wool producers who maintain high standards for animal welfare and sustainable farming practices.
European Manufacturing - By keeping production in Europe, Scabal maintains quality control while supporting skilled textile workers and reducing transportation-related environmental impact.
Quality Over Quantity - Creating fabrics designed to last for years or decades reduces consumption and waste, making luxury fabrics more sustainable than fast fashion alternatives.
Efficient Production - Scabal's partners employ modern manufacturing techniques that minimize waste, conserve water, and reduce energy consumption.
When you choose a Scabal suit from TS Custom Suits, you're supporting a supply chain built on sustainability, quality, and respect for both people and the environment.
Investment in Belgian Craftsmanship
Scabal fabrics represent a premium investment, reflecting the quality of the raw materials, the expertise required to transform them into exceptional fabrics, and the innovation that makes these fabrics perform beautifully in modern life. For discerning gentlemen who understand that true luxury is measured in how a garment feels, performs, and endures—not simply its label—Scabal offers exceptional value.
When you invest in a Scabal bespoke suit from TS Custom Suits, you're making a decision that will reward you every time you wear it. You'll experience the confidence that comes from wearing expertly crafted fabrics, the comfort of materials engineered to work with your body and lifestyle, and the satisfaction of owning a garment that represents 85 years of Belgian textile excellence.
More Than Fabric: A Commitment to Excellence
What we admire most about Scabal—and what makes them the perfect partner for TS Custom Suits—is their unwavering commitment to excellence. For 85 years, Scabal has refused to compromise on quality, choosing instead to continually innovate and improve. They pioneered the use of superfine wools when others thought it impossible. They developed performance treatments when others were content with tradition. They invested in research and development when others cut costs.
This philosophy mirrors our own approach to bespoke tailoring. Every suit we create represents our best work, incorporating traditional techniques, quality materials, and attention to detail that honors the craft. When Scabal's fabrics meet our tailoring expertise, the result is truly exceptional.
Begin Your Scabal Journey
The finest Belgian fabrics are waiting to become part of your wardrobe. Whether you need a Super 120s workhorse for daily business wear, a luxurious Super 180s for special occasions, or an innovative performance fabric for frequent travel, Scabal offers collections that will exceed your expectations.
Order your Bespoke Suit Package today and discover why Scabal has been the choice of discerning gentlemen for over eight decades. During your virtual consultation, ask specifically about our Scabal collections, and our expert tailors will guide you toward the perfect fabric for your needs, lifestyle, and style preferences.
Your journey to experiencing Belgian textile excellence begins with a single decision. Make it today, and discover how Scabal fabrics can elevate your wardrobe and enhance your confidence every time you dress.
About TS Custom Suits: We are a premier online bespoke tailoring service featuring the world's finest fabrics, including comprehensive collections from Scabal. Through our innovative virtual consultation process and expert craftsmanship, we bring Belgian excellence and traditional bespoke tailoring directly to discerning gentlemen nationwide and internationally. From our private showroom in Jacksonville, FL, we create suits that honor both heritage and innovation, ensuring every client experiences the perfect combination of luxury, performance, and impeccable fit.