The most common material for suits has to be wool.
In spring and summer, it is usually a blend of wool and silk, or mohair, which is still quite formal.
But for a cooler, or more casual feel, cotton suits have a place, so what are the pros and cons of cotton suits?
Pros
Cotton also comes in different gram weights, and since you’re wearing it in the spring and summer, it’s natural to go for the lighter ones.
Cotton has the advantage of being breathable, so an unlined construction is an option.
Wrinkle-prone, this is a disadvantage in the eyes of some, but in classic menswear enthusiasts’ eyes, because they already own a lot of wool suits, this wrinkle-prone fabric, on the contrary, is tasteful.
Cotton suits are great for matching tops and trousers separately because of their casual feel. In this setup, we may go for a loose fit cotton jacket.
Cotton works fine with light and bright colours, and very bright wools, especially in suit fabrics, are not as common, which is a great opportunity to add colour to your wardrobe with cotton suits.
Cons
Because cotton doesn’t stretch as well as wool, it can be a bit awkward if the fit is too tight. An experienced tailor will let it go a little bit, especially in the back, but then it looks like the lines won’t be as clean as they could be.
Cotton shows watermarks easily, which can be a bit embarrassing if you sweat easily.
Cotton also tends to shrink, so if you’ve steam ironed it, it might get a little smaller, and there’s not really much you can do about that.
Wearing a cotton suit in an environment where formal wear is required is inappropriate.
In terms of wear, cotton comes in quicker than wool, which is a good thing for people who like that style with a personal imprint, but a bad thing for people who want to spend money on a suit that will last for decades.
Summary
In terms of the current environment of formal dress requirements in China, cotton suits are completely OK. Italian style would be more proper than British with cotton.