Today, we are talking about a wool fabric unlike any other wool fabric. We are talking about a summer weave that has dressed men of taste for almost 120 years. We are talking about an iconic cloth with connections to the British Royal Family. We are talking about an utterly remarkable material that we have been keen to offer you, something uncommon in the ready-to-wear sector.
Today, we are talking about Her Majesty, Fresco® wool.
What is Fresco® wool?
Before explaining what Fresco® wool is, it is important to say what it is not. It is neither “tropical wool”, “dry wool” nor “cool wool”, terms you may come across here and there from various retailers.
All these names refer to airy fabrics made from wool fibres, but Fresco® is the result of patented technology – hence the registered trademark symbol accompanying its evocative name.
Registered in 1907 by Martin Sons & Company (to which we will return), this patent sets strict criteria for Fresco® to be an authentic Fresco®. Among other things, it must use wool fibres, worsted yarns twisted and woven through an extreme twisting process, and a plain weave construction.
For 118 years, only Martin Sons & Company and the other subsidiaries of the Huddersfield group have had the right to produce the original Fresco®, according to the registered recipe that forged its legend.
As for its name, it comes from the Italian “affresco”, literally meaning “in the fresh”. It refers to fresco painting, the art of painting on still-damp plaster to preserve colours over time.
The nine panels of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo, are a famous example. Credits: Archivo Fotografico Musei Vaticani
Why choose a suit in Fresco® wool?
Bringing together the notions of “wool” and “coolness” may seem strange, as this natural fibre is usually associated with winter. Counterintuitive though it may seem, the lightness of Fresco® is nevertheless its main asset.
Above all, it is the openness of its weave that makes the difference. Deliberately loose, its construction lets air pass through and encourages ventilation, a valuable quality when temperatures soar.
Choosing a suit in Fresco® means having the best of both worlds: the natural thermoregulation of merino wool and the breathability of a well-ventilated, featherlight cloth. An alternative that quite literally changes everything and considerably enhances the season of ceremonies.
As the icing on the cake, Fresco® is highly durable, holds its shape well and is virtually crease-resistant thanks to the high-twist process used in weaving. An impeccable drape, subtle elegance, exceptional performance, entirely natural, and flawless shape retention: it seems you have found the perfect suit for weddings, civil partnerships and other summer celebrations.
Hardy Minnis, the legendary house
A subsidiary of the Huddersfield group – like Martin Sons & Company – Hardy Minnis is the company responsible for producing Fresco® today. Born from the merger of John G. Hardy and J&J Minnis in the late 1960s, it has established itself as an international reference in the textile sector.
It must be said that the merchants who founded this institution were respected figures in their own right; John Hardy was one of the Kingdom’s foremost suppliers of tweeds and Shetlands, while the Minnis brothers ranked among the most established and renowned London cloth merchants of the 19th century.
Moreover, the former then held a Royal Warrant Appointment, an honorary warrant issued to companies supplying goods and services to the British Court. Following the merger in 1969, Hardy Minnis inherited this prestigious warrant, which still distinguishes the current manufacturer of Fresco®.
Our blue suit in Fresco ® wool
At the forefront of our spring-summer 2025 collection, the navy suit in Fresco® wool illustrates Hast’s ever-renewed commitment: to offer you exceptional fabrics, the finest natural fibres and the best European craftsmanship.
And with good reason: offering a ready-to-wear suit in Fresco ® wool is a source of pride as well as a privilege – that of bringing a legendary fabric at the pinnacle of British excellence to a wider audience.
With minimal lining, the jacket offers a light structure that will keep you cool in the height of summer. The shoulder line is soft and fluid, creating a natural drape inspired by Neapolitan style. Meanwhile, the 8,5 cm lapels lend welcome substance across the chest, shaping the torso with balance.
Below, it is trousers cut from the same 280 gr/m² Fresco ® wool that will give your legs their best line. With their regular fit, two pairs of pleats and 19,5 cm leg opening, there is no doubt that they will combine comfort, refinement and lightness like no other.
A final word
Ideal for dressing the special occasions that will punctuate your summer, our suit in Fresco ® wool woven in England is an exceptional two-piece distinguished by its versatility.
Made in keeping with the codes of tailoring, using the illustrious cloth from Hardy Minnis, it will accompany you through the heart of the warmer months thanks to its light, breathable fabric.
Crease-resistant and durable, textured yet disciplined, supple and airy, it is unquestionably the prince of summer. A premium two-piece to wear as a matching set or separately, which we are honoured to offer this year.
As always, it is available in our shops and on Hastparis.com, ready to dress you well every day of the week.