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My Tailor is a Genius - An Ode to Giovanni

AnGeLiCbOrIs

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I just wanted to give proper SF respect to Giovanni in Cedarhurst NY. I bought this suit on eBay a few weeks ago as a second chance offer for $102. It arrived promptly and in perfect condition but the shoulders were huge (like all Canali shoulders). The sleeves were also a bit long. I took it to Giovanni and he offered to re-cut the shoulders for $90! Two weeks and two fittings later (today) I picked up the suit. Amazingly, it fits like a charm. From what I've read on SF, shoulder surgery is one of the most difficult forms of tailoring to do on a suit. Giovanni did it perfectly - all by hand - and for about 1/3-1/2 of the ordinary price. I gave him a nice bonus and told him that I'd continue to recommend him to friends. He used to make custom suits in Italy and loves the chance to do some serious work.

It is really interesting. He makes all buttonholes by hand but he says this is only because he has no machine. He is the type of person who does not understand why someone would pay extra for hand made buttonholes - something that add no functionality. He would not believe that my Borrelli shirt had actual handwork until I showed him myself.

That being said, he is a stickler for quality and precision and does almost all his work by hand.

The shoulders fit perfectly and naturally pulled the sleeves up to the perfect length. I could not be happier.

I know this thread is nearly worthless without pictures but I am home alone now so I will try to get some taken later.

Here's his contact info:
Giovanni's Tailor
524 Willow Ave
Cedarhurst, NY 11516
(516) 569-5565
 

teddieriley

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Great to hear your success with your tailor. Finding a good tailor is difficult.
 

AnGeLiCbOrIs

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Here are some pretty bad pics. Pardon the poor focus and the mess. (New roommate is moving in.) I put the camera on top of a desk and used my remote.
P1011400.jpg
P1011392.jpg
The back would look better if I had just taken the time to adjust myself.
P1011404.jpg
 

teddieriley

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Looks good, especially if you find it comfortable. I would have shortened the sleeves a bit more myself.
 

AnGeLiCbOrIs

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Originally Posted by teddieriley
Looks good, especially if you find it comfortable. I would have shortened the sleeves a bit more myself.
Thanks! The sleeves are a tad longer than I would like but I'm not sure if I'd like to have them shortened since I hate it when the buttons are too close to the bottom of the sleeve and I really don't think I could convince Giovanni to reopen the shoulder.
confused.gif
The shoulders are now 17" seam to seam down from the seller's posted 19.5". (He wasn't very bright so his measurement may have been off.)
 

bigbris1

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Good to know of another good tailor in NY. Thanks!
 

Ataturk

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Looks great, but you need to get him to fix the collar and shorten the sleeves as well.

Silly question, but does narrowing the shoulders affect the fit in the chest?
 

Jumbie

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Shoulders look good to my untrained eye but can't say I'm a huge fan of the closed quarters on that suit.

I also agree that the sleeves need to be shortened a bit.

But as long as you're happy, that's all that matters as you're the one wearing it.
smile.gif
 

haganah

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So this alteration involves removing the padding correct? So essentially the whole jacket then drops down if I'm understanding this. That's very cool.

I was thinking about this kind of alteration the other day and also another one. Instead of dropping the jacket down like this, can it be raised? By that I mean, is it possible to raise a jacket, thereby achieving a higher armhole, and then possibly re-doing the shoulders.

Any thoughts?
 

Jumbie

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Originally Posted by texas_jack
I think that's a Canali "thing". My Canalis are similar.
Good to know.

I guess I know which brand of suit I likely won't be buying in the future although I will, of course, reserve final judgment until such a time as I can try one on in person.
 

embowafa

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not to thread hijack, but does someone know of a good tailor (reasonably priced) who does shoulder 'surgery' in the Los Angeles area?

Thanks.
 

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