A report on my new Kiton shirts

Originally Posted by Manton

Click to expand...

There's a Barney's in SF?

Yup, it opened last September. Certainly not as good as the Madison avenue version - or even the one in Beverly Hills... but I find it to be a better store than the Barneys in Dallas and Chicago.

More details about the San Francisco store are here.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Click to expand...

It would be interesting to see how they compare to your shirt from Anna Matuozzo. Pictures!

Rats, outed by Mafoofan! Yes, it's true - I recently met Anna (and daughter Simona) and should have the result of her handiwork in early September. I will definitely post pictures of the finished product and look forward to the inevitable comparisons between Matuozzo/Kiton/Borrelli/etc.

It was a great experience - although her prices are definitely higher than I expected - between 450-500 euros for a fully handmade shirt. The weak dollar does not help, and now you know why I was so excited to purchase the Kiton shirts for between $200-300/each.

In addition, I didn't have quite the complete Matuozzo experience as we were not in her atelier, but rather in a hotel lobby in Florence, where she traveled for Pitti Uomo. But overall, it was wonderful to meet Anna and I now know first-hand why so many speak so highly of her.

Here are some pictures of the meeting. My caveat for the low quality/silly poses is that these were never intended for public consumption. In addition, I'll apologize in advance that I show visible perspiration in a few of the pics - not because Anna made me nervous, but rather because I walked about 30 minutes in 100 degree heat to reach her hotel!

Click through to see larger/higher res versions.

I like Borrelli but my Kiton shorts always fit perfectly and hold up very well. The fabrics are very soft and comfortable and nice and light for the hot Atlanta summers. For my money, these are the best RTW shirts I have tried.

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

Click to expand...

I like Borrelli but my Kiton shorts always fit perfectly and hold up very well. The fabrics are very soft and comfortable and nice and light for the hot Atlanta summers. For my money, these are the best RTW shirts I have tried.

Interesting qualifier you put there.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Click to expand...

Not to split hairs, but I think the amount of tie space is incidental to whatever configuration Kiton happens to be offering at retail and not necessarily characteristic of the brand itself; if you went the route of Kiton MTM, I bet there would be many other options. I know they offer a button-down collar, and button-down collars looks funny without tie space.

I generally dislike tie space as well; consequently, none of my bespoke shirts have it.

yeah, but you gotta admit-- this recently posted SF photo sorta lends to my theory about kiton shirts; and in a spread collar, too! look at that great collar!!

Originally Posted by The_Foxx

Click to expand...

yeah, but you gotta admit-- this recently posted SF photo sorta lends to my theory about kiton shirts; and in a spread collar, too! look at that great collar!!



Forget the collar, look at those pants! I don't get the fascination with no tie space unless you like a tiny tie knot.

I'm not a huge fan of Kiton as my fav RTW shirts are now finamore but I do have to say that they are better than Borrelli as Borrelli seems to have taken their eye off the ball on their shirt production. I also have to say that if fit were not an issue, I really don't find a major difference between Kiton and Matuozzo and I given the price differences, I would still prefer Finamore (keep in mind that I am an ignoramus when it comes to things like construction and fabric quality)

Please forgive me SF matt.

Finamore? Philistine.

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

Click to expand...

Finamore? Philistine.

You prefer Matuozzo?

Originally Posted by RJman

Click to expand...

You prefer Matuozzo?

What? You mean there are people who don't?

OK can someone please let me in on the joke? I feel like you're all making fun of Artisan Fan and I don't know the details.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Click to expand...

What? You mean there are people who don't?



I prefer Chat-Bite or Lanvin but a) I've only seen Matuozzo bespoke, not ordered it and b) I'm something of a froggophile.

Originally Posted by haganah

Click to expand...

OK can someone please let me in on the joke? I feel like you're all making fun of Artisan Fan and I don't know the details.

No, no, RJman's not making fun of Artisan Fan. He's making fun of what some perceive to be disproportionate adoration for Anna Matuozzo. But the joke's not funny because Anna Matuozzo really does make the best shirts in the universe. I hear the Pope wears them.

Originally Posted by RJman

Click to expand...

I prefer Chat-Bite or Lanvin but a) I've only seen Matuozzo bespoke, not ordered it and b) I'm something of a froggophile.

You have Lanvin bespoke shirts? I recall you talking about them, but I didn't realize you actually commissioned some.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Click to expand...

No, no, RJman's not making fun of Artisan Fan. He's making fun of what some perceive to be disproportionate adoration for Anna Matuozzo. But the joke's not funny because Anna Matuozzo really does make the best shirts in the universe. I hear the Pope wears them. You have Lanvin bespoke shirts? I recall you talking about them, but I didn't realize you actually commissioned some.
May I ask a silly question? Can you get new shirts from her based off your original measurements or do you go in each time for a new shirt?

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Click to expand...

No, no, RJman's not making fun of Artisan Fan.

Yes he is.

Originally Posted by RJman

Click to expand...

I prefer Chat-Bite or Lanvin but a) I've only seen Matuozzo bespoke, not ordered it and b) I'm something of a froggophile.