Bespoke in Boston

[S. Goldman]

For this, my inaugural post, I wanted to ask whether any members have ordered bespoke from Rizzo in Cambridge, Mass. His prices are lower than travelling SR tailors, and that he's dressed some minor local celebrities -- John Kerry, various Kennedys, Alan Dershowitz (definitely not a model, as far I'm concerned). I've used him successfully for some fairly complicated alterations jobs, and in addition to advantages of price, I like the idea of patronizing local artisans. But I'd be grateful to get some idea of his overall quality and style before committing.

[Concordia]

Quality is commensurate with price-- probably better than that in the case of jackets. Trousers don't have a lot of handwork if any, and are priced fairly at around $500.

Cut is a matter of taste. Having tried a tweed jacket (basically successful) and a suit (OK if you like it), I'd have to say that I shall likely stick with London makers for now. But you might like different.

His house style-- and he makes no bones about having a preference-- is for light canvassed construction, moderate shoulder padding that can be made more or less natural, and a very clean front. It is the clean front and the lower-than-optimal armholes that make his jackets not quite to my taste. If I were built like John Kerry I might be bothered less by this.

As you know from his alterations work, Joe is an excellent guy to deal with and doesn't promise more than he can deliver.

[S. Goldman]

That's about what I figured, thanks. Probably I'll go over see if I can talk him into cutting higher armholes -- the clean front bothers me less, but I'm not 6'4" either. I really wouldn't expect equivalence to London given the location and cost. But since Joe's in town and I'm just a poor scholar, it might be the thing for my next project.