Italian Shirts for Men w/ Large Arms

[magogian12345]

Hello all,

Over the past two weeks, I've been exploring the wonderful world of Italian dress shirts. It has been both fun and frustrating.

I've found that Canali shirts fit me fairly well, although they are somewhat baggy in the waist. Also, I have to get them in a 17.5 neck size, although all my other non-Italian shirts are 17 neck. That said, they are nice shirts (though hardly the best).

Today, I received a shipment from STP containing a Truzzi and a Corneliano. The Truzzi shirt was simply beautiful. I eagerly pulled it out of the box and tried to put it on, and . . . oops. The shirt is too tight around my biceps. I was and am so disappointed.

As for the Corneliano shirt, I couldn't even get my arm through the sleeve, so Corneliano is a no go. I've also discovered that a Lorenzini doesn't fit properly on my arms either.

I've been talking with the friendly folks at shopthefinest about brands that might fit me. They have suggested Borrelli and Finamore. Does anyone know if these brands run a bit larger in the arms?

I'm also considering trying Truzzi in a 17.5 in the hopes that the arms might be a big larger.

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding a brand that might work for me out of the better of the Italian shirt companies?

 

[antirabbit]

For what you are spending and what your body needs, MTM is for sure the way to go for you.
The Neopolitan labels are all going to be far to trim for your arms.
For $50.00 you can have a shirt made for your body.....

 

[magogian12345]

Originally Posted by antirabbit

For what you are spending and what your body needs, MTM is for sure the way to go for you.
The Neopolitan labels are all going to be far to trim for your arms.
For $50.00 you can have a shirt made for your body.....

I have some MTM shirts from both BB and mytailor.com But, I really like how some of the Italian shirts are cut, and I don't think a MTM could replicate the look very well.

 

[antirabbit]

Most of my better Italian shirts are all very slim in every regard (except the neck) some are super slim (Finamore, Pino Borrellio), so if Corneliani and Truzzi are too small, you could opt for a made for NM Borrelli and have the sides taken in to fit the body. The sleeves on mine are very full.
Barba may work as well. I love Barba collars, slim in the body and not too slim in the arms.

 

[magogian12345]

Originally Posted by antirabbit

Most of my better Italian shirts are all very slim in every regard (except the neck) some are super slim (Finamore, Pino Borrellio), so if Corneliani and Truzzi are too small, you could opt for a made for NM Borrelli and have the sides taken in to fit the body. The sleeves on mine are very full.
Barba may work as well. I love Barba collars, slim in the body and not too slim in the arms.

Hmm, the folks at shopthefinest said that I wouldn't fit into Barba.

 

[antirabbit]

Well, then it looks like Italian shirts wont work for you.
Have Jantzen make you a copy of one. You wont get the hand work, but hand work doesnt really serve too much of a function on a shirt any ways.
They can do a good job on the collar, they have very nice thick MOP buttons, gussets, and what ever little frill you want.
Or you could MTM some Kiton shirts for $1K a piece.
Borrelli is up there too for MTM.
There really is not any other label out there in RTW that will work if you cant fit in a Truzzi or Corneliani.
I also doubt that a tailor can fix that, as there is not enough fabric to let the long seam on the sleeves out.

 

[magogian12345]

Originally Posted by antirabbit

Well, then it looks like Italian shirts wont work for you.
Have Jantzen make you a copy of one. You wont get the hand work, but hand work doesnt really serve too much of a function on a shirt any ways.
They can do a good job on the collar, they have very nice thick MOP buttons, gussets, and what ever little frill you want.
Or you could MTM some Kiton shirts for $1K a piece.
Borrelli is up there too for MTM.
There really is not any other label out there in RTW that will work if you cant fit in a Truzzi or Corneliani.
I also doubt that a tailor can fix that, as there is not enough fabric to let the long seam on the sleeves out.

Canali fits just fine (although baggy in the waist). If they fit, I think there must be some other brands.

 

[mack11211]

Things to bear in mind: Shirtmakers change their sizing from year to year, from line to line and from market to market.

Many of the Italian makers size more generously for the American market, for example. Some American stores, like Neiman-Marcus, have shirts made to their own specifications.

Also, proportions of have shrunk in recent years. Among my Truzzis now for sale below

, the one with an older label is much more generously sized than the others with the same label size.

Also, some makers like Canali or Zegna seem to target businessmen, and size more generously.