No School Like The Old School

The Gem Of Naples

Any good clotheshorse will invariably become interested in, or at least curious about, Naples. The more severely afflicted, will one day find will one day find themselves there.

The city’s charms are few but potent - savory fresh mozzarella with tart tomatoes on a smoky crust; the most vibrant tailoring culture in the known world; a regional style which is soft, handsewn and classic but relaxed.

The most alluring offering is, however, a few miles south in a decidedly nondescript town where hardly anyone speaks the tourist languages.

In 79 AD, Herculaneum was covered in a mudslide when Mt Visuvius erupted. I tried, with these photos, to capture the eerie beauty of this perfectly preserved shard of such a remarkable and odd culture.

Anonymous asked: Hi, I just discovered your blog and really admire your suits. Who is your tailor and what brand of fabrics do you normally choose? I'm assuming they are all bespoke and not MTM? Thanks, Pierre

Thanks very much, Pierre.  Most of what I’ve posted is from WW Chan with a smattering of Solito, Napoli Su Misura and a single Rubinacci. 

I’ll be trying another Italian tailor at the end of the month.

I should probably settle down but it’s good fun to meet some new people and explore different approaches.

jhilla asked: Hey man - familiar through your activity at SF. Was curious if you have most of your shirts made with Carl and, if so, how you like them? Also, do you opt for his MTM or bespoke? Thanks, Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Most of my shirts are from Geneva or Hemrajani / mytailor.  I have a few from CEGO, both MTM and bespoke.  For fabric from a book, I’d always go with Geneva - the price is similar and the quality (of both fit and construction) is appreciably higher.  Carl does, however, have some interesting bolts of fabric.