SUITSHERWELL

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS 

• Portugal 

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES 

SUITSHERWELL values more ethical production and therefore works with European partners. The first collection consists of residual fabrics from Anfibe, a Belgian textile producer in Ronse. These fabrics 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 their second collection, SUITSHERWELL also collaborated with this Portuguese manufacturer to source the fabrics.

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 supported to work in this workshop. 

MATERIALS 

• Polyester
• Wool 
• Lycra
• Viscose 
   

The fabrics of the suits consist of a mix of polyester, wool and lycra. 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 a more sustainable alternative to the conventional materials, 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 lycra ensures improved comfort. 

PACKAGING 

SUITSHERWELL states that they source their recycled cardboard packaging from a local partner, Ropak. 

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS 

SUITSHERWELL has not disclosed any measures to reduce water or chemical usage in their supply chain. Although their products contain synthetic materials which will release microplastics when washed, they are dry-clean only, which reduces the likelihood of water pollution. 

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

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

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS 

SUITSHERWELL does not yet share any circular business models on their website, such as a return or repair scheme. This would help to ensure that their products are kept in use for as long as possible. 

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN 

Production locations: 

• Portugal

SUITSHERWELL has a relatively short supply chain, as their fabrics are sourced from Belgium and Portugal, and manufactured into bespoke suits in Portugal. Their headquarters are located in Hasselt, Belgium. 

However, the overall length and complexity of the supply chain cannot be accurately determined as SUITSHERWELL does not disclose where their raw materials are sourced from. 

TRANSPORTATION 

SUITSHERWELL does not disclose what transportation methods are used in their supply chain or for e‑commerce. 

• Wool 

SUITSHERWELL does not disclose where their wool is sourced from, so we cannot determine the animal-welfare aspects of the brand. 

PRODUCT DESIGN 

SUITSHERWELL’s timeless and tailored suits are designed to be kept for long periods of time, supporting slow fashion principles. 

The suits are offered in one model (blazer and trousers) and in four muted colours to match any wardrobe. With the matching waist belt, you can style the blazer in different ways. The suits currently in stock on their website are available in a small range of sizes S‑L. They do however promote improved inclusivity through their customisation service. This allows you to choose the fabrics and style that suit you best, and have your perfect suit custom-made to fit your exact silhouette. 

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, ensuring that 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.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES 

SUITSHERWELL produces in small quantities, and avoids sales, to help prevent waste from overproduction and consumption. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT 

The product pages state that their suits are made from a sustainable wool blend of 53% polyester, 45% wool, and 2% lycra. Whilst we appreciate the transparency in disclosing their materials, the term ​‘sustainable’ may cause some confusion for consumers as polyester and lycra are synthetic materials. Additionally, the brand does not disclose where they source these raw materials from, so it is difficult to determine their true sustainability. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES

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 has not been disclosed. 

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, and we look forward to that!