Etro

[johnapril]

I tried on an Etro suit in gray seersucker from the spring 2005 collection. The fabric felt stiff, like sometimes a Halloween costume or a theater costume might. I inspected the coat very closely. By all measures, it was fully canvassed. Could there be another explanation for the rigidity, the lack of flow, in the fabric?

 

[Brian SD]

I would guess that it had some oddities in the fabric composition that gave it the stiffness. Did you check to see if it was 100% wool?

 

[LA Guy]

I tried on an Etro suit in gray seersucker from the spring 2005 collection. The fabric felt stiff, like sometimes a Halloween costume or a theater costume might. I inspected the coat very closely. By all measures, it was fully canvassed. Could there be another explanation for the rigidity, the lack of flow, in the fabric?

Some wools are deliberately treated to make the finished garment a little stiffer (I personally like the effect in some cases). And as Brian said, there may be metal or other components in it.

 

[johnapril]

I'll go to the store on Monday to fetch a pair of slacks and will verify the fabric composition, elicit an explanation from the dealer, then report back. Surely it should make for a good laugh.

BTW, at Nordstrom I saw a Hugo Boss suit with the same kind of thing going on at half the price.

 

[JDMcDaniel]

To the best of my knowledge, Etro suits are fused.

 

[jerseyguy]

The older suits, with small brown inside labels (much like the ones on the shirts) were completely fused and not very nice.

A couple of years ago, Kean switched the production to Boglioli and the suits now have canvassed lapels. These are identified by a different label -- about the size of an index card with text and a border that's woven into the lining. Also, none of the fused pre-Boglioli suits/jackets have colored felt under the collar.

 

[johnapril]

The older suits, with small brown inside labels (much like the ones on the shirts) were completely fused and not very nice.

A couple of years ago, Kean switched the production to Boglioli and the suits now have canvassed lapels.  These are identified by a different label -- about the size of an index card with text and a border that's woven into the lining.  Also, none of the fused pre-Boglioli suits/jackets have colored felt under the collar.

This Etro was entirely canvassed. Under the collar was pink felt.

 

[jerseyguy]

Hmm... maybe they changed it this season. Was it still priced just over $1k?

 

[johnapril]

Hmm... maybe they changed it this season.  Was it still priced just over $1k?

$1295

 

[johnapril]

UPDATE:

Etro suits for 2005: canvassed lapels, fused chestpiece

The fusing probably accounts for the stiff feel of the fabric which, I now know, is cotton.

I only detected the coat's fusing once I pinched the front of the jacket, pulled it away from the lining, and heard this long, fine ripping sound, sort of like velcro. I assume this is the sound of a fused garment.

 

[johnnynorman3]

Yes, that ripping sound is the friction of the fusing and the "chest piece" (which even a fused suit will have).