[Aspire2Style]

I have the good fortune to be visiting Rome in a few weeks.

My budget nor my time, unfortunately, do not include ordering a bespoke suit while there.

However, I am eager to purchase an OTR suit.

Two issues:

1. What are the best stores for buying an OTR suit in Rome?
2. I wear 44XL, so not just anyplace will have my size.

Suggestions, please!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cavaliere]

I am not sure what is meant by "OTR", but since it doesn't mean bespoke, I shall take it to mean either "ready to wear" (RTW) or "made-to-measure". All upscale Italian menswear retailers offer RTW and Rome is no exception.

Most of my clothing comes from Rome or Naples and I too take a size 44 0r 46. This can be a problem since most Italian men are slim (obsessed as they are with cutting a bella figura), there are few 'outsize' stores in Italy and those few offer garments which I am unable to recommend.

February is also a problem: Italians are fashion-obsessives and buy at the beginning of each season. That said, the current economic downturn may help and you may be lucky enough to find Spring-wear.

I recommend the following (in no particular order):

1. LP - Via de' Prefetti

2. FG - ditto (also at Piazza Pitagora, which is the flagship)

3. Spada - Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina

4. Sergio Nesci - near the Spanish Steps

5. Borrelli - Via Mario de' Fiori

6. Battistoni - near the Spanish steps

7. Kingly - near Piazza del Popolo.

A cheaper alternative where, with care, it is possible to find some fine Castangia suits is Eredi Pisano at Via del Corso.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[comrade]

By all means visit Battistoni. It's a beautiful store.
Very pricey merchandise. I have one of their sportcoats,
purchased on sale in the US. It is extremely well-made
and regularly elicits positive comments in the high-
end men's shops which I frequent.

 

[Tonyp]

I would also say that the Battistoni shop on via condotti is worth the trip with the euro down now you could probably get a very nice suit for under $2500 at Battistoni. All Borrelli is a good option and possibly under $2000. I am not a big fan borrelli suits as the cut is extremely narrow. the pants are tapered legs with a wide cuff. If you find Castangia at any RTW stores you have found a nice garment.

 

[yoragiam]

I have just spent four days in Rome and I had the luck to stay at an hotel which is almost at the center of the shopping area (Hotel Veladier, recommended).

If you go to Piazza del Popolo you will see two roads departing from there: Via del Corso and Via del Babbuino. If you zigzag between these two road starting from Piazza del Popolo, you will get to all stores you can dream of: Brioni, Kiton, Battistoni, Zegna, Ferragamo etc. Prices range from 2-3000 Euro for a jacket at Kiton to 200 Euro for a suit supposedly made from clothes by Zegna at less known shops (it was sales time).

I don't want to make judgements about quality and price/quality ratios but I can for shure give feedback about the service I got: mixed experiences at Zegna (two different sales people had a complete opposite opinion about which cut suited me best), bad experience at Ferragamo (lazy salespeople), good service at O. Testa and at Byron.

Last suggestion: beware of Roman taxy drivers. They are more creative than Italian fashion designers when it comes to stealing your money...