Styleforum › Forums › Men's Style › Men's Clothing › bespoke shirts in Italy
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

bespoke shirts in Italy

post #1 of 9
1/6/12 at 1:44pm
Thread Starter 
Today i made the first try of my first bespoke shirt (actually it's a mix of made to measure and bespoke) While the guy told me that the shirt is hand made (hand finished, the correct term) it's hard to believe as button holes were cheaply made and i clearly see the machine stitches on the shoulders. The guy even told that the kiton shirt that i was wearing is not hand made ! he said button holes are too perfect , it must be machine made. And the collar was really hard (like a hardcover) and all my kiton, borrelli, charvet, RLBL shirts has very nice soft collars that stay perfectly over a tie (charvet having the hardest collar, RLBL shirts are almost not canvassed but they still stay without any problem )

Anyway, i would like to pass bespoke shirts but this experience discouraged me, finally i said to myself that a kiton on ebay with $200 is a better value with a great collar and details. One major problem is i have short arms so i have to shorten the sleeves almost 3" so i also have to taper the sleeves a little bit.

I am living in Geneva, so going to Italy for a bespoke shirt is not a problem ( i recently ordered my first bespoke shoes from VASS), where could i get a good bespoke shirt ? Milano (3h by train) or Naples (easyjet flight) ? Any suggestion for a good tailor ?
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 9
1/6/12 at 2:27pm
Depends on how much you want/can spend, I would go to naples, I've heard good things about anna matuozzo, but she is pricey, maybe others can comment on her shirts firsthand
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 9
1/6/12 at 2:39pm
Sorry to hear your first try at bespoke shirt hasn't been more successful. Did you have the shirt made in Geneva? I don't believe there are any decent shirtmaker in Geneva when I was living there. Not all bespoke shirts are hand made, in fact there are only a handful of shirtmaker who would totally make there shirts by hand. Imo the fit of the shirts are important to me than hand made button holes, hand stitch collars and shoulders.However you should be able choose the softness of the collar and cuffs.

Don't be discourage by your first attempt, when you get it right you won't be looking back. I would suggest that you take a trip to Naples. There are many great shirt-makers there. A few members here have used Anna Matuozzo who delivers a fully handmade shirt.

I love to hear the details about your bespoke Vass, I didn't know Vass still offer a bespoke service.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 9
1/7/12 at 5:32am
I have just returned to Naples where I have ordered 6 new bespoke shirts from 3 different makers ( 4 from the same one, Vincenzo Prisco- and one each from two others I wanted to try).

It is definitely worth a trip there. Once you have nailed your pattern with a shirtmaker, you will not need subsenquental fittings and could order of swatches...

Handmade constructions is actually often offered as optional by most Neapolitan shirtmakers and avoiding it would save you €30 circa per shirt ( the cost they pay a woman to do the 7/8 handmade finishes at home).

Collars and collars construction preferences should be at client preference. Prisco did a beautiful unfused collar for me, another refused. Take one o more example with you to help explain what you after.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 9
1/7/12 at 7:28am
I have had shirts made by Anna Matuozzo in Naples in the past, and was very pleased with the experience and the shirts that she made for me. I would highly recommend her.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 9
1/7/12 at 7:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hip_priest View Post

I have had shirts made by Anna Matuozzo in Naples in the past, and was very pleased with the experience and the shirts that she made for me. I would highly recommend her.

Indeed for what I have seen and heard she does a beautiful job, but I for one cannot justify €400 for her shirt. Most shirtmakers in Naples charge 70-80 euro CMT + 25-30 euro for the hand finishes, called 105 on average plus fabric. You can often buy Riva on offer in one of the many merchant in the city, like a did for €90 per 3m required, and you get a beautiful 195 euro, Riva fabric shirt, instead of the 250 most charge or 400 plus I have heard of AM....
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 9
1/7/12 at 8:00am
Thread Starter 
Thanks to all, i noted all these names... It seems that Naples would be my next destination... and answer to tchoy, indeed the guy is coming from Italy, he is not a geneva based tailor. There is no tailor in Geneva who can make a shirt..
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 9
1/7/12 at 8:02am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by marcodalondra View Post

I have just returned to Naples where I have ordered 6 new bespoke shirts from 3 different makers ( 4 from the same one, Vincenzo Prisco- and one each from two others I wanted to try).
It is definitely worth a trip there. Once you have nailed your pattern with a shirtmaker, you will not need subsenquental fittings and could order of swatches...
Handmade constructions is actually often offered as optional by most Neapolitan shirtmakers and avoiding it would save you €30 circa per shirt ( the cost they pay a woman to do the 7/8 handmade finishes at home).
Collars and collars construction preferences should be at client preference. Prisco did a beautiful unfused collar for me, another refused. Take one o more example with you to help explain what you after.

marcodalondra, you tried your shirts when you were there ? or you will return to there to try your shirts ?
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 9
1/7/12 at 10:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by intfxdx View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by marcodalondra View Post

I have just returned to Naples where I have ordered 6 new bespoke shirts from 3 different makers ( 4 from the same one, Vincenzo Prisco- and one each from two others I wanted to try).
It is definitely worth a trip there. Once you have nailed your pattern with a shirtmaker, you will not need subsenquental fittings and could order of swatches...
Handmade constructions is actually often offered as optional by most Neapolitan shirtmakers and avoiding it would save you €30 circa per shirt ( the cost they pay a woman to do the 7/8 handmade finishes at home).
Collars and collars construction preferences should be at client preference. Prisco did a beautiful unfused collar for me, another refused. Take one o more example with you to help explain what you after.

marcodalondra, you tried your shirts when you were there ? or you will return to there to try your shirts ?

If you search for my first post on Prisco (edit : here is the link http://www.styleforum.net/t/247055/prisco-napoli-camiceria) you will see that after pre-arranging the visit, having specifically asked for a first fitting while there within 24 hours, Enzo Prisco actually cutted the shirt in front of me, sent it to the workroom and minutes later my trial shirt was basted and ready for the fitting. Further adjustment were made with pins here and there and then the pattern was agreed and the shirt sent to the workroom. Normally it will take 15-30 days for the shirt to be ready.

As they have created a carton pattern, this time I have only asked to slightly narrow the upper arm, and then ordered different cuffs (two mitred barrell and two French cuffs), no need for fitting.

Feel free to PM me for further info on the proces...
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Men's Clothing
Styleforum › Forums › Men's Style › Men's Clothing › bespoke shirts in Italy