For the Accessories Symposium last week, we gathered together representatives from six brands that make some of the finest examples of their product anywhere in the world.
I was also keen to get a spread of countries – we had France, Italy, England, Scotland and the United States – in order to provide different perspectives on topics such as hiring, training and appreciation of craft.
Looks great Simon.
I am going off to Italy soon for a couple of months to travel/enjoy life. If I cannot afford to go bespoke are there any factory stores worth visiting that you know of? I know there are good quality makers such as Caruso, Mabro etc… But are there places on can hunt for a bargain?
Best
George
I’m not an expert on discount shops around Italy, I’m afraid, but there usually are some out of town. There’s a good Giabs one (trousers) outside Florence for example, an Etro discount store in Milan, and a Loro Piana one up near Biella
If you go to Rome I recommend Sartoria Carbone near the Vatican. The bespoke dude have made a piece about him
Marv, thanks Simone & Simon.
You just mentioned the United States in your blog.
I think that’s a first !
Would be interested to hear your thoughts on “Permanent Style and the US” sometime.
Well it makes up a huge proportion of our readers – more than any other country.
I have written about New York a few times, and its shops, as well as a handful of makers around the country (my personal favourite being Lee Miller bespoke cowboy boots).
Here: http://www.permanentstyle.com/2013/06/lee-miller-bespoke-bootmaker-austin.html
And here: http://www.permanentstyle.com/2013/06/how-bespoke-cowboy-boots-are-made-lee-miller.html
But overall the US simply has fewer makers and even fewer brands at the top end of the sartorial market.
I’ve found high-quality US makers hard to discover when they exist, often word of mouth is best. For instance, I recently stumbled across these guys http://www.blacksheephatworks.com/BLACK_SHEEP_HAT_WORKS.html – high-quality, hand-built hats – however would not have known about them without the grapevine.
Do you know when the interview on Monocle will be on? I was listening to the Section d special from Pitti and they didn’t mention you
Hey
Yeah they emailed me yesterday about it – it was never about me, they just interviewed the speakers as part of their coverage for that piece, but didn’t use any f them in the end. I think they interviewed about 50 brands and buyers around Pitti and used 5! Pretty common for radio
Simon
what would be the most versatile colour for a v neck sweater? Other than navy.
Mid to light grey
even with mid grey or light gray flannell trousers?
No, with everything. If you want to wear them with Greg flannels then look at dark green, burgundy and tan/biscuit colours
Simon,
I am just starting out on my sartorial journey at a company in the US after leaving a job in finance. I have become completely obsessed with the bespoke world. What book would you suggest that I read (I already read Style & the Man) to learn the most about bespoke suit tailoring?
Thank you so much for your guidance.
Dressing The Man is the best. My book on suits should also be reissued this year. And Bernard Roetzel’s bespoke book is good
Thank you so much! Any advice on moonlighting at a bespoke tailor to gain more experience?
In London there isn’t much chance at the moment I’m afraid – too many people trying to do it and having some training from Newham etc. But always worth ringing around
That definitely makes sense. Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I hope you have a great weekend.