Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Sartoria Vergallo, final suit


I received the final suit from Vergallo a couple of weeks ago, and am pleased with the results. I think the most pertinent thing to say by why of analysis is that the cut is very soft – perhaps softer than I expected from a northern Italian tailor. But that might just be my inexperience. I’m still a beginner, folks.

The chest and shoulder are both very lightly padded, and the shoulder itself slopes off naturally without any roll – though of course not being a spalla camicia or shirt sleeve, as preferred in Naples. This effect is exaggerated by the material, which was of course entirely my choice. It is a cashmere/wool mix from a Cacciopoli bunch in a fairly chunky weave and is certainly intended for a blazer, rather than a full suit.


But the overall effect is an incredibly comfortable suit, something that feels more comfy than any cotton tracksuit you care to mention. The trousers are unlikely to hold a crease, but I audibly sigh and relax as I put it on.

The suit is therefore certainly not sharp or stylised. It has mid-size lapels and relatively closed quarters – not much cutaway at the bottom. The trousers are typical of the region, being cuffed and relatively short, though not that narrow. A Vergallo suit wouldn’t normally come with strap-and-buckle adjustors, but I requested them. My only criticism of the suit, in fact, is that the adjustors Gianni sourced could be better – but that can easily be changed.


The work throughout is top notch and the fit very good, as hopefully comes across. It exhibits the little touches that Gianni takes pride in, such as the darts in the forepart ending at the pocket, making the bottom a single piece. And the patch pockets have that lovely curved shape that clearly sets it apart from English tailoring.

A lovely, well-made and great-value suit.

Sartoria Vergallo is based in Varese, but visits London every month. His suits start at €1800. For more background, see post here.

21 comments:

  1. awesome looking piece of work!! wish i had the cash pardon me.. but when u say 'the pants is unable to hold a crease and therefore the suit isn't sharp', dont most pants crease up a little somehow.. i thought only stuff with polyester dont crease up.. just curious. sorry if i got anything wrong! :) thanks! :)

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  2. Hi Simons,
    This seems to be a lovely suit indeed. Now, I must confess that I am more and more amazed by the variety of styles, fabrics actually used by even the most obscure fashion retailer in Italy on one side, and the uniformity in these respects in, say, London, on the other side. To witness the same level of variety displayed by Italians in the UK, one needs to go to bespoke, or ... to retailers of Italian fashion. Why is it so? I am truly flabbergasted!
    Do you happen to have any explanations?
    John

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  3. Marcus, anything will hold a crease better than cashmere. And I'm talking about the crease down the middle of your trousers, as an indication of generally how sharp-looking a suit will remain.

    John, it's all about style and the market. English men don't buy enough suits, or bespoke, to make it worth the while of mills or retailers to stock them. Launch your own personal crusade and go into every English retailer asking for exotic combinations!

    Simon

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  4. This is a very nice jacket cut. I prefer this version of a soft shoulder displaying a more architectural edge (if one might say) compared to the Rubinacci style - at least for suits compared to a sports jacket. It looks like the jacket does not have a side panel between the front and back - is this correct? Therefore, the dart shown near the rear of the patch pocket suggests the front-part of the jacket is made from one piece? Is this correct? From what you have seen do most Italian tailors do not have side panels between the front part and back?

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  5. Forgive me if I'm simply missing something here but I can't understand what I see: the breast pocket in the first image is on your right, then it switches to the left in the second image. A photo through a mirror?

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  6. Anonymous, yes you're right it is a single panel. But it's not exclusively an Italian thing - A&S traditionally cuts in this way too. It's much harder to achieve on larger men, though, and most tailors eschew it for that reason.

    Tim, well spotted - it is a photo in a mirror

    Simon

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  7. Simon,
    To be honest I find this suit a little bit dull and boring. Not too fan of these square patch pockets. There is something unbalanced (for me !).

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  8. Perhaps it's the picture. They actually have more shape to them (particularly a narrower opening) than anything an English tailor would make.

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  9. It even looks comfortable from here! Everyone needs at least one suit like this, perhaps it's the sort of suit to make even the most suit-resistant take to wearing suits.

    I can't see any problem with the trousers holding a crease, there is enough wool (presumably) in the mix and even cashmere isn't resistant to the iron and back of brush to put in a decent crease.

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  10. Simon : certainly ! you know these things better than me !

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  11. "But that might just be my inexperience. I’m still a beginner, folks."
    (Charmingly disingenuous, Simon!)

    You do have a way of pursuing best of the best; whilst daring to explore creative possibilities --still managing to remain unpretentious.

    Your suit comes off as a great knock-about suit. (Intended in a good way.) Luxe informal. Something to be dressed down. Maybe brown suede slip-ons, polo neck sweater?

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  12. looks like a good amour, very nice suit with good price for an excellent Italian product

    I followed up your Browne experience and got a DB made, can't wait for the first forward fitting

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  13. The vents don't look to be sitting wll over your rear. Perhaps a bit more cloth is needed acrsoss the small of your back?

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  14. I don't think there's an issue there, that's a tiny cross-section to go on

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  15. Simon,
    Would You try to explain and comment, pictures welcomed, about the different jackets and/or suits You have bought from the likes of Thom Sweeney and Graham Browne to this one from Sartoria Vergallo. I would really appreciate to read about Your opinions and comparisions about cut, fit and style. Last but not least I would ask You to also put in some comments about the price/quality ratio.
    Still learning

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  16. Hi,
    I would suggest you look through the archives of the blog. You will find suits featured from Huntsman, Henry Poole, Anderson & Sheppard, Timothy Everest, Choppin & Lodge, Rubinacci, Cifonelli and others, along with the ones you mentioned. All have photos and comments on what I think about the cut, fit and style.

    As to value for money, Veragllo is very good, particularly for an Italian make, and I maintain that Graham Browne is the best value for money in London, though the make is not the same level as Savile Row. A great place to start though.

    I hope that helps

    Simon

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  17. HI Simon

    I just had my first suit made by Satoria Vergallo. Gianni and Luca were absolutely charming and the finished suit is lovely. A close but elegant fit with a relaxed drape and soft shoulders. Excellent value too. Recommended.

    Best wishes, LC

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  18. Hi Simon,

    Love the suit. May I ask who your tie and pocket hank are made by? I really like the whole outfit and you have a way with matching ties/suits/shirts that I like very much.

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  19. White shirt by Kiton, grey cashmere tie by Drake's

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  20. Hi Simon- it's a fantastic suit, i'm considering having one like this made, as in this sort of fabric it can be used as seperate pieces- what would be a similar bunch from Scabal or LP? My tailor won't have access to Cacciopoli.

    Thanks Alex

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  21. Any navy cashmere from LP should work

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