Glance inside Borrelli

[BirdofSydney]

M. Alden,

I certainly did not mean to tar the label with the brush of "gaudy"; as was aptly noted there are variations in what is available from region to region, the Australian distributor is a flamboyant dresser himself, and the stock ordered and hence my exposure to the brand represents this to some extent.

Yesterday turned out to be impossible, today likewise, so I am quietly confident about tomorrow giving me a moment to pick my new acquisition up. Still in two minds about the cuff - my reluctance stems largely from the fact that it is a detail I have always associated with heavier or stiffer materials and cuts, and it may spoil the overall "softness" of the look. Naturally I shall be grateful for any pictorial example of my folly to which the Lounge might direct me.

Although MTM, rather than bespoke, I am still starting to feel, at last, like I am beginning to belong here...

Best,


EB

[Mark Seitelman]

Bravo, Allen!

Your article is tempting me to visit my local Borrelli!

I think that Borrelli makes very beautiful clothes all around. There are the occasional lapses and excesses, but even my favorite, Oxxford, makes a rare mistake. No one bats 1,000.

My wife is a fan of Borrelli and was disappointed that the NYC store temporarily discontinued the womens line. She has on order a MTM shirt with Peter Elliot Womens.

[Cordovan]

Thanks for the excellant post!

Sorry if I missed it, but where are they located?

Cordovan

[Mark Seitelman]

The NYC Borrelli store is on E. 61st St. bet. Fifth and Madison, closer to Madison.

If you visit ask for Bill.

[alden]

I confess to not knowing a lot about RTW as it is a subject that regards clothes and I have very little interest in clothes.

Quoted to highlight this nugget in an otherwise rich vein.

Clothes are products used to cover the body, the works of craftsmen are instruments of dress. Clothing oneself is required by law. Dressing is the inaudible poetry a man recites to the world.

Michael

[RWS]

. . . . Dressing is the inaudible poetry a man recites to the world. . . .

I quite like this! Should I quote "Michael Alden" or . . . ?

[dopey]

So that's what Vinnie the Chin was doing as he walked through the Village in his bathrobe mumbling to himself.

[alden]

No, Vinnie was rehearsing his audition for the Bee Gees along with Giovanni Revolt-ya.

[iammatt]

Do any of you have photos of the Borelli coats that you can share with us? It would be interesting to know if they stayed the course of simple elegance or have veered into the abyss..

Cheers

M Alden

So, here are two pictures of the Borrelli sportswear I was speaking of. I haven't worn them for quite a long time, but they are roughly what I remember. Are there problems? Sure, the fit is not what I would hope for, the arms on the overcoat are not set to my body and the sportcoat is skimpy, but I think they are reasonable and better than what a lot of their competitors make. Please excuse my pathetic photography and use your imaginations.

[uppercase]

Actually, Matt, I think that this is the best looking sports coat that you have posted.

The fit looks spot on for you and the cloth is one of the most interesting that I've seen.

I like "skimpy": is it cashmere?

I think that Borrelli makes a very flattering cut for you.

[alden]

Matt, thanks for posting the pictures. I have to agree with Uppercase, who has a very good eye. These are certainly not gaudy Camorra clothes. The sportscoat recalls the suit prototype I saw way back when, very sober and well done. The fit on the jacket also appears to be excellent.

Cheers

[BirdofSydney]

As promised, some pictures of my new acquisition. I wasn't sure whether it was better to start a new thread for this, so please feel free to relocate it.



This picture doesn't show the colour, but it rather nicely illustrates the shape. I think the body could have done with being about 1cm shorter, and the sleeves about 5mm shorter and a little slimmer, but it's not enough that I'd want to have anything done. (I'm not shy about showing my face, it's just not a flattering picture!)



This gives a better illustration of the fabric, the hand is very soft and in reality it's possibly a touch darker than the picture suggests.

In the end, I ignored our learned leader's counsel, and my own judgment, and went for plain bottoms on the trousers. This was for a few reasons, chiefly that, as the jacket was slightly longer than I'd hoped, I wanted the line of the leg to elongate my relatively diminutive frame as much as possible. Also, having not worn cuffs in the past, I was simply not sure how deep exactly to make them, or where to have them sit. I retained the additional material that was cut away, however, so it can theoretically be reattached if I change my mind.

I hope you like it!

Regards,


EB

[iammatt]

My feeling is that they make tailored clothing that is on the extreme end of the, for lack of a better word, pimp spectrum of Southern Italian clothing. On the other hand, they make a fantastic half fused sportcoat line that is beautifully rounded and relaxed, perfect for throwing on and going out to do errands. Their outerwear is also excellent and very soft, including a nice selection of slightly oversized raglan sleeve coats.

Matt, thanks for posting the pictures. I have to agree with Uppercase, who has a very good eye. These are certainly not gaudy Camorra clothes. The sportscoat recalls the suit prototype I saw way back when, very sober and well done. The fit on the jacket also appears to be excellent.

Cheers

Yes, the spportcoat is fine. It is what I described above, a nice, soft fused sportcoat with a nice round shape. It does not resemble their tailored clothing, fwiw. You and Uppercase are, however, far more impressed with it than I am or anybody else who has seen it is.

[alden]

Of course, Matt, we are only seeing pictures so its hard to get a good idea. I was cringing at the thought of what it might be, and in the end it isn't that bad. I am not sure "impressed" is as correct a description as relieved.

Michael

[alden]

Dear BirdofSydney,

I know how hard photography and suit can be..but the photo is so dark its hard to see. Can you use an editor to lighten it?

Michael