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- Jan 7, 2005
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Yesterday I returned from a week long journey to London and Rome, needless to say I'm exhausted but I wanted to share with you guys my experiences. I started off in London looking for shirts and shoes. The H&K sale was still going on so I decided to pick up a couple. I opted for a navy small check, red with navy outline large check, and a pale blue stripe. All snagged for 45 GBP a piece and altered in two days for an extra 7 GBP.
Next was shoes. I searched around for a bit visiting every name relevant to southampton and largely due to the recommendations on this site and ask andy opted for a pair Edward Green's, although Cleverley's had some new Adelaide's that were mighty tempting (New & Lingwood also had some beauties). After the initial ackwardness with Ray, I think he thought I was some young kid with not a clue about shoes, I settled with the Inverness in oak pine. Its fitted on the 808 last and fit me so well I opted to purchase the Fawsley on the same last in black. Price for Inverness was 445 GBP and Fawsley was 525 GBP. Estimated ship time is 10 - 12 weeks, ouch.
The next day I went back to St. James with the idea of purchasing a blazer. After searching around I oddly settled with Dunhill's custom program (basically a MTM program). Ian Warrington was the custom manager and a heck of a guy, spent his time cutting his teeth at Henry Poole. I was able to pick the buttons, lining and jacket details (ticket pocket, notch lapels) and was fitted in a little over an hour. I must say the process was about as smooth as any I've experienced. Price post VAT reduction was 725 GBP. Estimated ship time is 4 - 6 weeks. I'll post pics when I recieve. Later that day I went on to visit Budd where I purchased some great pocket squares for 10 GBP as well as a formal shirt for an upcoming wedding. Next I visited Savile Row and happened to stroll into Ede & Ravencroft where I was glued into buying a snazzy dinner suit, one button peak lapel in black. Its currently being altered but I'll post pics when I get it back. The quality seems reliable and the service was top notch. I found there ties in house to be some of the best that I found on my journey. Next was Rome, a city I had never visited before. My main focus was buying some shoes and the first place I visited was Lattanzi. Beautiful little store, tremendous shoes, unbelievable prices. I tried two pairs of black shoes, one whole cut the other full brogue both retailed at 1510 EUR. I just could rationalize spending nearly 2 grand on RTW, even though they were wonderful looking and distinctive. I decided instead to check out Santoni; I'd been impressed with some of there shoes on display in NY. I wasn't dissapointed, the selection was great and the handmade line was impressive. I decided to play conservative and go with a standard cap toe in black. Price was 380 EUR including trees.
The last stop on my visit was to Tod's for some work shoes, I work in a middle market bank that has recently adopted a "business casual" approach that makes me vomit but I'll leave that for another time. I opted for a pair of brown and black penny loafers in slightly different styling. I was dissapointed that they didn't offer shoe trees but got outta of there at 545 EUR for both.
Overall, I delightful trip. I kind of wish having left that I sacked it up and bought the Lattazni's but there is always next time. Sorry for the image quality.
Next was shoes. I searched around for a bit visiting every name relevant to southampton and largely due to the recommendations on this site and ask andy opted for a pair Edward Green's, although Cleverley's had some new Adelaide's that were mighty tempting (New & Lingwood also had some beauties). After the initial ackwardness with Ray, I think he thought I was some young kid with not a clue about shoes, I settled with the Inverness in oak pine. Its fitted on the 808 last and fit me so well I opted to purchase the Fawsley on the same last in black. Price for Inverness was 445 GBP and Fawsley was 525 GBP. Estimated ship time is 10 - 12 weeks, ouch.
The next day I went back to St. James with the idea of purchasing a blazer. After searching around I oddly settled with Dunhill's custom program (basically a MTM program). Ian Warrington was the custom manager and a heck of a guy, spent his time cutting his teeth at Henry Poole. I was able to pick the buttons, lining and jacket details (ticket pocket, notch lapels) and was fitted in a little over an hour. I must say the process was about as smooth as any I've experienced. Price post VAT reduction was 725 GBP. Estimated ship time is 4 - 6 weeks. I'll post pics when I recieve. Later that day I went on to visit Budd where I purchased some great pocket squares for 10 GBP as well as a formal shirt for an upcoming wedding. Next I visited Savile Row and happened to stroll into Ede & Ravencroft where I was glued into buying a snazzy dinner suit, one button peak lapel in black. Its currently being altered but I'll post pics when I get it back. The quality seems reliable and the service was top notch. I found there ties in house to be some of the best that I found on my journey. Next was Rome, a city I had never visited before. My main focus was buying some shoes and the first place I visited was Lattanzi. Beautiful little store, tremendous shoes, unbelievable prices. I tried two pairs of black shoes, one whole cut the other full brogue both retailed at 1510 EUR. I just could rationalize spending nearly 2 grand on RTW, even though they were wonderful looking and distinctive. I decided instead to check out Santoni; I'd been impressed with some of there shoes on display in NY. I wasn't dissapointed, the selection was great and the handmade line was impressive. I decided to play conservative and go with a standard cap toe in black. Price was 380 EUR including trees.
The last stop on my visit was to Tod's for some work shoes, I work in a middle market bank that has recently adopted a "business casual" approach that makes me vomit but I'll leave that for another time. I opted for a pair of brown and black penny loafers in slightly different styling. I was dissapointed that they didn't offer shoe trees but got outta of there at 545 EUR for both.
Overall, I delightful trip. I kind of wish having left that I sacked it up and bought the Lattazni's but there is always next time. Sorry for the image quality.
