Z Zenga?

[farfisa23]

Thoughts, comments?

I know most is made in Turkey, Romania or - gasp! - China, but is the fabric of Zegna (or Zegna-ish) quality?

 

[Tarmac]

Is that kinda like the soccer player D Dunga?

 

[stickonatree]

according to wiki, Zenga is the Japanese term for the practice and art of Zen Buddhist painting and calligraphy in the Japanese tea ceremony and also the martial arts.

 

[rnoldh]

Try A Armoney, it's better than Z Zenga

 

[farfisa23]

I should have said P Pithy judging by those comments...

How's this..

 

[alliswell]

I just saw a 100% cashmere Z Zegna sportscoat at Century 21, reduced from $1100. Ermenegildo obviously thinks that the brand is Zegna quality. The coat was an interesting cut - boxy, big shoulders, kind of Bateman-80's.

 

[alliswell]

Amazing what you find when you look. Here's a post on this very topic - spelled Zenga and everything.

http://styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=7455

 

[rach2jlc]

I have a few Z things and like them pretty well because the cuts are often slimmer and more modern looking than traditional Zegna. Quality isn't nearly as good as regular Zegna, but the prices aren't as high either. I have a few cotton blazers and such which were in the $500-600 range retail (i got them on sale) and the fit is really quite nice at that level. In comparison, you'd be paying more for Boss or D&G... which are probably Z's biggest competitors... and I think Zegna is considerably better than they are.

I don't plan to be wearing them in fifteen years, so it doesn't bother me that they aren't made to the same standards as the regular line or in the same locations. Nevertheless, it is considered the younger "diffusion" line for Zegna, so if you tend to stick with the regular line, you probably won't be impressed with Z. I don't think there is any comparison, in general, with the fabrics between Z and regular Zegna... like a lot of diffusion lines, they share the name and the name only (everything from design, production, etc. is probably handled by totally different teams). Nevertheless, you could certainly do worse...

 

[chorse123]

Originally Posted by letmebefell

I just saw a 100% cashmere Z Zegna sportscoat at Century 21, reduced from $1100. Ermenegildo obviously thinks that the brand is Zegna quality. The coat was an interesting cut - boxy, big shoulders, kind of Bateman-80's.

I don't know, I think they know it's lesser than regular Zegna quality or they'd charge more for it and have it under the regular line. Z Zegna is the company's way of reaching "younger" "cooler" customers, which really means more fashion focused, cost sensitive, and less concerned with quality. They are around Corneliani Trend or cheaper Ralph Lauren, but more expensive because of the Zegna name. The most I'd pay is $200 for a jacket or $300 for a suit, and even then I'd have to really love the piece.

 

[EL72]

Most Z suits I've seen are fused and made in Mexico, not that the country of origin matters much when garments are essentially machine-made.

My problem with the line is mainly the fabrics they use. Lots of blends and some synthetics; patterns and details are more fashion-forward than my tastes. That said, if you find one you like on sale, go for it.

 

[farfisa23]

Originally Posted by letmebefell

Amazing what you find when you look. Here's a post on this very topic - spelled Zenga and everything.

http://styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=7455

That's the sound of my mind being blown! I can't believe someone else would transpose the N and a G too.

 

[stickonatree]

maybe because they're pronouncing it wrong? zayn-nia is the right way.

 

[dagenham]

I think the Z line is great. The fit is amazing, especially in the "Drop 8" fit which is the slimmer of the two fits. A 48R fits me perfectly off the rack... You can't compare the quality to that of Ermenegildo Zegna, but for around $1000 (as opposed to $3000 for EZ) for a very well fitting suit, with Zegna fabric, I don't think you can beat it. I've previously worn Paul Smith, Prada, etc, and I don't think they compare to the fit of my Z suits. The dress shirts are a great deal as well, slim fit, a smaller collar but goes with the fashion forward look of the brand, and priced $145 - $195.

And for clarification on the original post...
Suits & Sportcoats are made in Mexico, some in Switzerland
Shirts are made in Turkey, as most shirts are these days
The leather pieces are made in Italy
The technical fabric jackets, nylons, etc are made in China, as most are