Spoils of Napoli

[Axelman 17]

Thanks Manton, great write-up

 

[rnoldh]

Originally Posted by Manton

Bresch?

That's it for the tailors unless I think of anything else.

Great write up.

Did you inquire if there is a branch of Negrila in Naples?

 

[T4phage]

Originally Posted by Manton

....
There is a booming business of relgious iconography. Whole streets in Spaccanapoli were nothing but stall after stall selling this stuff. The amount of Christmas decorations for sale was also staggering. As were the number of people shopping. Some of the streets were packed wall to wall with people and moved at a glacial pace. In old Naples they still like it the God....

that part of napoli is famous for handcrafting 'o presepio', nativity scenes for christmas. iammatt may remember since we walked around there last time.

Originally Posted by Manton

...
Oh, and finally, there are lots of Naples legends about tailors in the Spanish Quarter who will make you a suit for half or less what Solito charges (which is already half or less than Rubinacci) and will do an even better job. I have no idea if this is true. I saw zero tailor shops in the Spanish quarter. If they are there, they are all in the apartments (there aren't any courtyards because there aren't any palazzos; it's a slum). I will leave it to someone else to investigate this. Bresch?
.

they are there
'better' is subjective
if i have some time
i'll show you photos inside one

 

[Parker]

Originally Posted by Manton

I saw no gigolo clothing, no awful patterns or terrible colors. Lots and lots of flannel was cut and waiting for fittings, really nice flannels. Not so much tweed, mostly just blue and gray suits.

Originally Posted by Manton

Patrizio Cappelli wears Formosa suits cut by the older Formosa who is now deceased. His suit that I saw was extremely elegant.

Great synopsis, Manton. I thought the best dressed guys were those who simply wore a well-cut solid navy suit and some patterned navy tie. I made a mental note to tone down my reflex for fancy cloth patterns (except for sport jackets where I'm still in the edmorel club).

+1 on Cappelli. He's very stylish guy and his suits look really good to me. I wondered who made them. He complimented me on the jacket I had on from Mina which was nice.

 

[medtech_expat]

Fantastic post, Manton. My excursions to Napoli have been more functional (in and out of Chiaia), but am back in 10 days and will be sure to check out Toledo.

Love that DB!

 

[radicaldog]

Originally Posted by T4phage

that part of napoli is famous for handcrafting 'o presepio', nativity scenes for christmas. iammatt may remember since we walked around there last time.



they are there
'better' is subjective
if i have some time
i'll show you photos inside one

Yes they are. All over Italy--and especially in the provinces--you can find competent tailors who will make you a real bespoke suit for around 1000 Euros, or even a bit less. But some are bad, and hardly any speak English. And they tend to be quite set in their own ways.

These are great posts, Manton, btw.

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Nice review - thanks

 

[DocHolliday]

I've really enjoyed this thread, Manton. Thanks for posting it. Wish I could have seen the Monetti pics, but I enjoyed seeing yours. Nice haul.

 

[TheFoo]

Now I'm jealous I didn't explore more shops. He's right about Eddy Monetti: sux. Lots of Polo Ralph Lauren, Tod's, and Burberry junk. Don't understand the love.

 

[kcc]

Two words: Remarkable essay.

After reading your post, it became apparent there are many sub-topics to be discussed but the larger theme of distinguishing classic or "gray hair" versus contemporary tailoring approaches caught my attention. I've noticed this characteristic between father & son at LH less so at Panico.

I found your description of Sabino very accurate and consistent with my memory. Wondered if you can offer some general features that would be catagorized as "sharpy" or erring towards "gigolo?" This would assist some of the younger members, like myself, of this board who wish to avoid this presentation.

 

[F. Corbera]

Originally Posted by Manton

Luigi conducted my fittings. I gather that the old man considers me to be "Luigi's" customer. He stayed in the room and observed and occasionally made suggestions or comments but by and large he let Luigi do the fittings.

Which of the two cut your clothes?

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by F. Corbera

Which of the two cut your clothes?

I don't actually know. I assume the father but I never asked. I never saw the father until this trip whereas I placed my first order with Luigi in New York in Feb. 2009.

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Originally Posted by Manton

I don't actually know. I assume the father but I never asked. I never saw the father until this trip whereas I placed my first order with Luigi in New York in Feb. 2009.

How is the stuff from Solito looking?

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by Eustace Tilley

How is the stuff from Solito looking?

I love it. Not to denigrate Rubincacci or anyone else but I am not tempted to cheat at all.

 

[F. Corbera]

Originally Posted by Manton

I don't actually know. I assume the father but I never asked. I never saw the father until this trip whereas I placed my first order with Luigi in New York in Feb. 2009.

Why didn't you ask? Seems like a normal and logical question in situ.

At any rate, great trip reports. I enjoyed reading them.