Posts by smokinggun

Check out Marcella Hazan's "Essentials of Italian Cooking". Very very simple recipes that don't use too many ingrediants or techniques, the very essence of cucina italiana. Also, take a look at "The New Basics...

Quote: What is the diff between the costemologists and barbers, and which one would be better? Is it even worthwhile to go to a salon if I have really thick, coarse hair? Think of a brillo brush. Can a better hair person make...

How much bigger can slacks be before altering them to fit becomes too arduous for an average tailor? Is it foolhardy to even think of buying a size 34 when I'm a 30?

Just for future reference, the sales staff at Barney's Outlet told me that Nogara manufactures most of their private-label stuff (at least for the Outlets). Never heard of them, but according to a blurb on their website, "Nogara...

For what it's worth, one of the sales staff at Zegna (Cabazon) lamented the fact that they were receiving fewer and fewer high-end Napoli or Trofeo pieces. She was fairly honest in pointing out that the Gritti line was fused, but one of...

hmmm.. Do you think the huge increase in suburban discount designer/fashion outlets has contributed to the paucity of great finds at traditional discounters like Filene's Basement and Loehmann's?

Quote: Tessuto Zegna just means Zegna cloth, and it's something only OTHER manufacturers would do to get Zegna's name on their no-name suit. Since Zegna produces all of their suits themselves, they have no need for this and...

Anybody have experience shopping at the Zegna outlets? Are the suits their regular lines? Or do they make them specifically for the outlets out of Tessuto Zegna cloth?

Thanks for the info. I didn't know that Sartoria Castangia crafts high-end "Battistoni" suits for Barney's. hmmm..... Still, I would be surprised if they make any of Barney's outlet-priced generic label suits. For $450, it's...

Thanks for replying. I'll keep that Barney's Private Label in mind, but I'm really hoping to score a deal on a Canali somewhere in Southern Cal.