How many days/weeks to complete bespoke suit in Naples?

[TheFoo]

I understand the desire to save money, but it shouldn't be surprising that a 2,000 euro tailor in Naples doesn't have the infrastucture to deliver as efficiently as the typical Savile Row tailor who charges more than twice as much and whose customer base is largely overseas.

Bespoke isn't like RTW, where you go to a store, pick out the model you want, pay, and then, maybe, see the alterations tailor for nip and tuck here and there. Rather, the whole experience rests on the premise that you will maintain an ongoing relationship with your tailor. You're buying service and expertise as much as you are a product. If you aren't willing to play the long game and invest in the relationship, bespoke is unlikely to satisfy you. In fact, you stand a serious chance of being very, very disappointed, and feeling like you were ripped off.

So, please, don't go to Naples, or anywhere else, thinking you are going to dig up some bespoke bargain nobody but you was smart enough to stumble upon. Rubinacci costs a lot more than the rest in Naples, but they can actually be your tailor and not just sell you a suit (which may or may not show up in your mailbox 18-20 months later, packed into a stapled paper bag).

 

[Nicola]

Day 1 jet lagged likely a right off. If you're lucky spend the day traveling.

Day 14 leaving the country.

Two days lost to Sundays. So if you're lucky and no holidays or other closing days you're asking for a suit in 10 days.

Now lets assume the shop is half decent. It has other customers. Ranging from regulars to some guy getting married. Do you expect they'll put all those people on hold to do your suit?

 

[TheFoo]

^^^ They don't need to complete the suit during his visit, just finish all the fittings. This is obviously perfectly doable at even the best tailors in Italy--so long as you schedule in advance. However, nothing will change the fact that future orders will be far more difficult and he can forget about refining his pattern.

 

[Svenn]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

I understand the desire to save money, but it shouldn't be surprising that a 2,000 euro tailor in Naples doesn't have the infrastucture to deliver as efficiently as the typical Savile Row tailor who charges more than twice as much and whose customer base is largely overseas.

Bespoke isn't like RTW, where you go to a store, pick out the model you want, pay, and then, maybe, see the alterations tailor for nip and tuck here and there. Rather, the whole experience rests on the premise that you will maintain an ongoing relationship with your tailor. You're buying service and expertise as much as you are a product. If you aren't willing to play the long game and invest in the relationship, bespoke is unlikely to satisfy you. In fact, you stand a serious chance of being very, very disappointed, and feeling like you were ripped off.

So, please, don't go to Naples, or anywhere else, thinking you are going to dig up some bespoke bargain nobody but you was smart enough to stumble upon. Rubinacci costs a lot more than the rest in Naples, but they can actually be your tailor and not just sell you a suit (which may or may not show up in your mailbox 18-20 months later, packed into a stapled paper bag).

I didn't say I was adverse to a long-term relationship, nor that I was smarter than everyone

...I merely thought it would be convenient if I could get a whole suit completed on one trip, especially since threads on the london lounge imply Neapolitan suits fitted in Naples turn out much better than those done through satellite shops (not sure if that's true or not). If two weeks isn't enough time than so be it... though perhaps I could get measured in the US then finish it off in Naples?

 

[Svenn]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

^^^ They don't need to complete the suit during his visit, just finish all the fittings. This is obviously perfectly doable at even the best tailors in Italy--so long as you schedule in advance. However, nothing will change the fact that future orders will be far more difficult and he can forget about refining his pattern.

That's true, I don't care if they ship it to me after I've returned. I don't forsee myself getting many suits through my life, but I wouldn't mind returning later to Italy to get a second or third from the same tailor.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Svenn

I didn't say I was adverse to a long-term relationship, nor that I was smarter than everyone

...I merely thought it would be convenient if I could get a whole suit completed on one trip, especially since threads on the london lounge imply Neapolitan suits fitted in Naples turn out much better than those done through satellite shops (not sure if that's true or not). If two weeks isn't enough time than so be it... though perhaps I could get measured in the US then finish it off in Naples?

The issue is that there are exceedingly few tailors from Naples with whom it is plausible to maintain a trans-Atlantic relationship. Solito made a go at it, but has gone AWOL. From what I understand, Mina uses different tailors at different times, which I'd personally find very frightening as a client paying down large sums of money. Ambrosi only does trousers. Who's left? Rubinacci--but they cost a ton more.

Anyway, like I said above: don't plan on having your order complete before you leave. The best you can do is arrange time for a first meeting and two follow-up fittings. If your tailor is diligent and trustworthy, you'll get your suit in the mail a few weeks later.

 

[maomao1980]

The question you need to ask is how many hours/days can you spend in Naples before something bad or unpleasant happens.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by maomao1980

The question you need to ask is how many hours/days can you spend in Naples before something bad or unpleasant happens.

There are enough restaurants and tailors in Naples to ensure that you will always be safely eating a delicious meal or safely getting fitted for clothes.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by maomao1980

The question you need to ask is how many hours/days can you spend in Naples before something bad or unpleasant happens.

Can we extrapolate from StyleForvm itself? If so, thirty minutes tops.


- B

 

[maomao1980]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Can we extrapolate from StyleForvm itself? If so, thirty minutes tops.


- B

you are being generous today.

 

[Cary Grant]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Can we extrapolate from StyleForvm itself? If so, thirty minutes tops.


- B

You're being generous today.

 

[edmorel]

on the left, arrival at Naples. On the right, 32 minutes after arriving in Naples

 

[voxsartoria]

Thread updated.


- B

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by maomao1980

you are being generous today.

Originally Posted by Cary Grant

You're being generous today.

I am being generous today.


- B

 

[George]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

I am being generous today. - B
You are being too generous today. What are you being generous about by the way?