And, from the olde college textbook: "The two fabric classes based on processing...are woolens and worsteds.

The worsted division uses a larger proportion of virgin wool than the woolen branch. Wools used in worsted are long fibers combed from virgin wool. In the combing process, in which the short fibers, or noils, are eliminated, the long fibers are made to be parallel to each other so that they may be tightly spun. The fabrics, as a result, aer closely woven and have a smooth appearance, and the pattern of the weave is easily discernible.

Woolens, on the other hand, are made from short-fiber wools, or from noils and also from reworked wools, such as chips and rags. Unlike the straightened fibers used in worsted, the woolen fibers are more or less crossed and intermixed and are less tightly spun, and the fabrics for the most part are loosely woven and rather rough surfaced.

Because of the differences in fiber length, often of quality, and of processing, worsteds are more expensive. They are highly desireable for so-called man-tailored suits and other garments. They tend to become more shiny with wear than do the duller surfaced, rougher textured, or napped woolens."

Ron