SUITSHERWELL

SUITSHERWELL considers ethical production very important and therefore works with European partners. The first collection consists of residual fabrics from Anfibe, a Belgian textile producer in Ronse. After which they are then assembled into jackets and trousers in Portugal. This Portuguese manufacturer was chosen and visited by the founders themselves and also has several certificates such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and SMETA which also check working conditions in their audits.

For the second collection, SUITSHERWELL also collaborated with this Portuguese manufacturer to source the fabrics.

Only of the working conditions in which the raw materials were extracted, we cannot estimate.

The retouching budget you receive with your purchase can be spent at De Gouden Draad in Hasselt. Through the European AZO project, recognised refugees are guided to work in this workshop. 

The fabrics of the suits consist of a mix of polyester, wool and sometimes with an addition of elastane. The lining is made of viscose. In this, the brand could have made more sustainable choices in favour of recyclability and biodegradability. They could also have used an initially more sustainable alternative of the material, such as recycled polyester or Ecovero viscose.

However, the advantage of SUITSHERWELL’s composition is that the mix of different materials allows them to achieve a sturdy quality that allows the suits to last a long time and the addition of elastane ensures better comfort. 

In terms of circularity, SUITSHERWELL can definitely improve. For instance, by reusing materials in the fabrics, or by choosing 100% mono-materials so that the clothes can be easily recycled afterwards. In fact, currently it is not yet easily recyclable due to the combination of different textile fibres, nor biodegradable due to the addition of polyester and elastane. 

Still, this Belgian brand is committed to circularity; the packaging, for example, comes from a local Genk-based partner, Ropak, and is made of recycled cardboard. Moreover, SUITSHERWELL’s timeless and tailor-made concept means you can wear your tailor-made suit for longer, so you don’t have to make a new purchase as often.

SUITSHERWELL’s supply chain is short. The fabrics come from Belgium and Portugal, although the raw materials to make the fabrics may be sourced further away. These fabrics are then made into bespoke suits in Portugal. 

The shipping boxes are also made in Belgium. The head office and shop is located in Hasselt. 

SUITSHERWELL is not a vegan brand as the fabrics consist of a blend with wool. We cannot estimate the quality of life of the wool’s sheep. However, wool production does not require animals to die.

The suits are now offered in one model (blazer and trousers) and in three muted colours to match any wardrobe. With the matching waist belt, you can style the blazer in different ways. SUITSHERWELL produces in small quantities and the tailored suits are offered from size 32 to size 48. This is because the label wants to offer classy suits for all body shapes and promote inclusivity and diversity. Moreover, they aim to expand the range of models, colours and sizes even further with new collections.

Quality is a core value and this is reflected in the suits. To achieve an even better fit, a €35 retouching budget is included with every suit. This way, the suit fits you perfectly and you can wear it as often as possible. If you buy the suit in the physical shop, the desired retouches will be carried out by De Gouden Draad. If you don’t live in Hasselt, you can spend the budget at a tailor of your choice.

When your suit is due for a refresh, it’s best to take it to the dry cleaners. In between, you can air and steam it at home.

While a fair amount of information about production and sustainability efforts can be found on the website, there are points where SUITSHERWELL can still grow in terms of transparency. COSH! knows the names of their Belgian fabric supplier and the Portuguese final manufacturer, but where exactly the materials come from is not known. 

The different steps in the supply chain could also be highlighted more clearly to consumers. SUITSHERWELL indicated in a conversation with COSH! that they have plans to take steps towards more transparency in the future, we look forward to that!