Of the suit makers I've seen I prefer the Italian style over British and American. Of the Italian tailors I've seen I most like Ravazzolo.
They are based in Grumolo delle Abbadesse but also have an outlet in Milan.
My favourite fabric for summer cothing is linen. It is the coolest wearing fabric, all natural and has been used as clothing material for millennia (Egyptian mummies were wrapped in linen). It is derived from the flax plant which grows throughout Europe and north Africa.
There are grades of linen from extremely light to heavy Irish linen.
David & John Anderson make some of the highest quality linen fabric (and they also make some of the finest cotton fabric available). Their Lino 130 Tf is the finest linen available, weight 104/112.
Lino 130 Tf |
They also make the best linen/cotton blend, the Zephir 170 Lino 55% linen, 45% Egytian cotton, weight 84/92.
Another fine manufacturer of linen and linen blends is Carlo Riva now owned by Fermo Fossati. Carlo Riva is sold by The Merchant Fox, London. A bit of a quirky company, they will not sell to just anyone — they have to know how the fabric will be used.
A shirt of Carlo Riva material |
Given that GQ has become a woke, pathetically worthless magazine, the Rake, a fairly recent magazine devoted to gentlemen's style, is the finest available. Their byline states: "the modern voice of classic elegance." See their website which includes the magazine and the accoutrements of the stylish lifestyle.