Quick answer: “Super 70s” is a wool grade that describes how fine the wool fibres are. The “Super” number is linked to fibre diameter measured in microns: a higher number means finer fibre. Super 70s is a mid-range grade, with fibres of roughly 20 microns. It is soft but durable and suited to everyday tailoring. Higher numbers such as Super 120s feel finer but are usually more delicate.
What the Super Number Measures
The Super number is a grading label for wool fineness. A micron is one-thousandth of a millimetre, and the fibre diameter of wool is measured in microns. The lower the micron count, the finer the fibre, and the higher the Super number.
The system began with a reference to how finely wool could be spun, and today it is tied to fibre diameter in standards used by the wool trade. The International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) is the body usually associated with wool standards. [CONFIRM: wording on IWTO’s role before publication; link to the IWTO standard if you wish to cite it.]
How the Common Grades Compare
These figures are approximate and describe the average fibre diameter that the label allows.
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Super 70s: about 20 microns. Durable and soft. A strong everyday tailoring grade.
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Super 80s: about 19.5 microns. A little finer, popular in business suits.
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Super 100s: about 18.5 microns. Smooth and refined.
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Super 120s: about 17.5 microns. Very fine and soft, with a more delicate feel.
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Super 150s and above: extremely fine, luxury suiting, and generally more fragile.
For reference, ordinary wool can range from about 25 to 40 microns or more, which feels coarser. See Merino Wool vs Regular Wool.
Is a Higher Super Number Better?
Not always. Finer fibre feels softer and drapes more fluidly, but it is also weaker per fibre and can wear faster, wrinkle differently and be less forgiving with daily use.
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Lower Super numbers (such as 70s to 90s): more robust, hold shape well, and better for pieces worn often.
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Higher Super numbers (such as 120s and above): very soft and elegant, and better for occasional or lightly worn suiting.
The right grade depends on how you will use the garment. A blazer you wear every week benefits from durability. A formal suit worn a few times a year can use a finer cloth.
What Else Determines How a Fabric Feels?
The Super number is only one factor. Quality also depends on:
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Yarn type: worsted yarns are smooth and strong; woollen yarns are fluffier.
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Weave: twill, plain, herringbone and others each behave differently.
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Fabric weight: lighter cloth drapes and breathes differently than heavier cloth.
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Finishing: treatment after weaving affects hand feel and wrinkle resistance.
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Construction: lining, interfacing and shoulders determine how the garment hangs.
Do not judge a garment by the Super number alone.
A Note on Labelling
The “Super” label has been used loosely in some markets, and not every product uses it consistently. If the number matters to you, check that the brand states the fibre (for example, 100% merino wool) and the fabric details clearly. If in doubt, ask the brand.
What Super 70s Means for a Tailored Blazer
Super 70s merino sits in a practical sweet spot for workwear. It is fine enough to feel soft against the skin and drape well, and sturdy enough to hold structure through frequent wear. This suits pieces that are meant to be worn season after season. Read how merino behaves in warm weather in Is Merino Wool Good for Summer?, and how to keep it in good condition in How to Care for a Merino Wool Blazer.
The SIDDIQI Confidence Blazer
SIDDIQI’s Confidence Blazer is made in deep green merino twill, Super 70s, hand block printed in black. [CONFIRM: that Super 70s applies to the Confidence Blazer’s outer fabric, and whether other SIDDIQI pieces such as the skirt use the same grade, before extending the claim.] Explore the rest of Launch 01.
How to Read a Wool Label
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Fibre content: look for the percentage of wool and the type (merino).
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Super number: a rough guide to fineness.
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Fabric weight: where listed, in grams per square metre.
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Lining and construction details.
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Care instructions.
Explore
See a Super 70s merino blazer in Launch 01. Questions about the fabric? Email hello@siddiqi.world.
FAQ
What does Super 70s mean in wool?
It is a grade for wool fibre fineness, with fibres of roughly 20 microns on average. It is a durable, soft mid-range grade.
Is Super 70s good quality?
Yes. It is a practical grade for everyday tailoring and is valued for durability and structure.
What is the difference between Super 70s and Super 100s?
Super 100s uses finer fibre, so it feels smoother and softer but is generally more delicate.
Is a higher Super number always better?
No. Higher numbers are finer, but they can be less durable. The best grade depends on how the garment will be used.
What does Super 120s mean?
A very fine wool grade with an average fibre diameter of about 17.5 microns.
How is wool fineness measured?
By the average diameter of the fibres in microns.
Does the Super number tell me everything about quality?
No. Yarn, weave, weight, finishing and construction also matter.