Milan: Brief Thoughts (also now featuring Naples reports)

^^

Don't forget the Oscar Meyer museum.

You forgot sunglasses. You are not walking around Milan without a pair of sunglasses!

Bags are exclusively held in the hand. Non of that over the shoulder strap stuff / messanger bags.

No ugly Alden's or Gunboat shoes - that's for the Americans (no hate)

Thick tie knots.

Men in general wearing Jackets.

I see OP you saw Luis Miller?

Luisa Miller, yes. I didn't necessarily notice more sunglasses in Milan than in the US, but I could be wrong. There were certainly fewer over-the-sholder bags, but they are not extinct there.

Oh... sorry to high-jack your thread, but no funky colourful socks - i.e. stripes, bright colours, argyles


99% of the people in Milan are in good shape, so clothing looks much more flattering.

It's somewhat rare, in Naples especially, to see any socks at all. That's an overstatement but lots of Italians go sockless in the summer, and it's clearly not a #menswear thing there.

Most people in NYC are in good shape too. There are plenty of elderly gentlemen especially that I saw in Milan who, while not obese, are not skinny either, and still were quite elegant.



edmorel said:

^^
Don't forget the Oscar Meyer museum.

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How could we



unbelragazzo said:

I
Most people in NYC are in good shape too. There are plenty of elderly gentlemen especially that I saw in Milan who, while not obese, are not skinny either, and still were quite elegant.

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I woud agree with this not only for Milan but for most of the major Northern Italian cities. I think the difference is that in the US an older gentleman will generally wear a simple pair of full cut slacks with a loose shirt. In Italy, that same gentleman would wear more fitted (but not skinny) clothing and an accessory such as a woven hat, cap, colored shoes, scarf, items that might be deemed a bit too fashion oriented or even flashy in a major US city for his age.

Did they finally pick up the garbage in Naples?

Normally I am suspicious of beautiful women who try to sell me things. Mina Adamo is one of the few exceptions I make. I first learned about Mina, Dino, and Napolisumisura on SF, as many of you have. After looking at photos and hearing about the experiences of others, I decided to make an appointment and meet them in New York.

This was the first of a number of meetings, the most recent of which at their showroom in Naples. The showroom is in Chiaia, mere steps away from Marinella. I arrived on foot just as Dino was getting off his scooter to greet me. Jackets in various states of construction hang along the walls. The familiar books of Minnis and Ariston fabrics are stacked behind a counter.

Visiting them in Naples allows for a more relaxed meeting. When they travel, they see many clients every day for days in a row. I've never felt rushed in any of our appointments, but at the same time I know that there are many others they need to see. Without anyone waiting, we can take our time with fittings and fabric selections. Even more satisfying, the extra time allows for some time strolling around Naples. These are sure to result in introductions to other denizens of Naples, as Mina and Dino are well known around the city.

I picked up two gorgeous jackets, one peak lapel blue velvet, another linen cream DB. Also ready for pickup were two pairs of wonderful spongy flannel trousers. A couple of other things needed minor tweaks and will be in the mail to me soon. Pics to come of all.

For those who know Mina and Dino already, I likely don't need to say anything further. For those who don't, let me sing a verse of praise. First, they are honest, timely, and run the business smoothly. You won't have to search through too many SF threads before you find stories of tailors who are neither. When Mina says she can do something, she does it. If for some reason it's wrong, she'll make it right. They answer e-mail. They remember what you ask for and make it happen. This might seem obvious and easy if you're thinking just about your jacket being prepared for the next fitting in the months that intervene between trips. But once you think about the dozens and dozens and dozens of orders from many clients that have to be produced, brought overseas and then carried across the US, you realize this is a major logistics problem. They manage it expertly. Mina and Dino told me that "every jacket has its own story," which is to say that things are rarely simple and straightforward in the bespoke process. It's not an assembly line.

Instead, each jacket is its own work of art, a collaboration between the bespeaker, Mina, and her tailor. There's a rare and deep pleasure that comes from working with someone who has a true passion and pride in what she does. Mina's taste in cloth, cut, and styling are impeccable. She can advise you on which styles are standard, which eccentric, which more English, which more Italian, and all the rest. Moreover, she loves to see one of her jackets on a satisfied client. As one of those satisfied clients, it was a great joy to see where Mina and Dino, as well as the great sartorial tradition to which they now contribute, come from. I will enjoy thinking about my time with Mina and Dino every time I wear my NsM clothes, which will surely be often.



chiron said:

Did they finally pick up the garbage in Naples?

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I saw no evidence of garbage problems, but I mainly stuck around Chiaia. I should say too, and I'll have more general thoughts about Naples later, I never felt at all in danger or hustled. The closest thing was that I think my cab driver on the ride from the train station to my hotel might have screwed me out of a few euro, but that was it.

Did you see any tailors at Mina's showroom, or are they somewhere else?

. . . And I agree. they are lovely people and have been very reliable.



dopey said:

Did you see any tailors at Mina's showroom, or are they somewhere else?
. . . And I agree. they are lovely people and have been very reliable.

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Currently, the actual workshop with the tailors are outside Naples.

unbelragazzo said:

I saw no evidence of garbage problems, but I mainly stuck around Chiaia. I should say too, and I'll have more general thoughts about Naples later, I never felt at all in danger or hustled. The closest thing was that I think my cab driver on the ride from the train station to my hotel might have screwed me out of a few euro, but that was it.

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Thanks...

I need to see photographs of the velvet jacket.

What was your best meal in Naples and why?



unbelragazzo said:

Normally I am suspicious of beautiful women who try to sell me things. Mina Adamo is one of the few exceptions I make. I first learned about Mina, Dino, and Napolisumisura on SF, as many of you have. After looking at photos and hearing about the experiences of others, I decided to make an appointment and meet them in New York.
This was the first of a number of meetings, the most recent of which at their showroom in Naples. The showroom is in Chiaia, mere steps away from Marinella. I arrived on foot just as Dino was getting off his scooter to greet me. Jackets in various states of construction hang along the walls. The familiar books of Minnis and Ariston fabrics are stacked behind a counter.
Visiting them in Naples allows for a more relaxed meeting. When they travel, they see many clients every day for days in a row. I've never felt rushed in any of our appointments, but at the same time I know that there are many others they need to see. Without anyone waiting, we can take our time with fittings and fabric selections. Even more satisfying, the extra time allows for some time strolling around Naples. These are sure to result in introductions to other denizens of Naples, as Mina and Dino are well known around the city.
I picked up two gorgeous jackets, one peak lapel blue velvet, another linen cream DB. Also ready for pickup were two pairs of wonderful spongy flannel trousers. A couple of other things needed minor tweaks and will be in the mail to me soon. Pics to come of all.
For those who know Mina and Dino already, I likely don't need to say anything further. For those who don't, let me sing a verse of praise. First, they are honest, timely, and run the business smoothly. You won't have to search through too many SF threads before you find stories of tailors who are neither. When Mina says she can do something, she does it. If for some reason it's wrong, she'll make it right. They answer e-mail. They remember what you ask for and make it happen. This might seem obvious and easy if you're thinking just about your jacket being prepared for the next fitting in the months that intervene between trips. But once you think about the dozens and dozens and dozens of orders from many clients that have to be produced, brought overseas and then carried across the US, you realize this is a major logistics problem. They manage it expertly. Mina and Dino told me that "every jacket has its own story," which is to say that things are rarely simple and straightforward in the bespoke process. It's not an assembly line.
Instead, each jacket is its own work of art, a collaboration between the bespeaker, Mina, and her tailor. There's a rare and deep pleasure that comes from working with someone who has a true passion and pride in what she does. Mina's taste in cloth, cut, and styling are impeccable. She can advise you on which styles are standard, which eccentric, which more English, which more Italian, and all the rest. Moreover, she loves to see one of her jackets on a satisfied client. As one of those satisfied clients, it was a great joy to see where Mina and Dino, as well as the great sartorial tradition to which they now contribute, come from. I will enjoy thinking about my time with Mina and Dino every time I wear my NsM clothes, which will surely be often.

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great word.

makes me want to hop on the Freccia this weekend.
Thanks for report.