There's little that separates them in terms of quality. Of course I'd argue that the same level of quality can be had for less, like Isaia, but I"m not the one asking. You are.

I'll assume you're buying off the rack. If so, go with whichever fits better and has the stylistic details you like. Are you getting these at a discount?

 

These are both quality garments. There may be some minor stylistic details but honestly each garment from these houses can be different that even making broad generalizations is a bit hard (like saying Brioni is more structured or Zegna is more fitted, etc....) I concur that fit will be most important and then pay attention to the fabric and details secondarily. One question I have is does Brioni have a bit more uniqueness in fabric if only because Zegna makes a ton of fabric? Of course, I don't know for fact that Zegna doesn't have an exclusive line of fabric for their Couture but I have been to a number of Zegna stores and looked through the books and I don't recall seeing a Couture only book - something you might be interested in finding out before you see someone else wearing your exact suit fabric.....

 

^ that's a good point about the fabric. Of course, I'm curious, too, as to the fabric used by Brioni.

I would think that some of the pricing difference between Zegna mainline tailored clothing and that from the couture line has to do with the fabric.

 

^ that's a good point about the fabric. Of course, I'm curious, too, as to the fabric used by Brioni.

I would think that some of the pricing difference between Zegna mainline tailored clothing and that from the couture line has to do with the fabric.

Thanks for your replies and yes I am getting them both at sub-1000 price point so I kinda know they're a good deal but none the less I do expect to take them to my tailor to get that perfect fit... Also would Kiton Cipa 1960 be in the same quality range? The price is similar. As for the fit I know Mainline Zegna is a bit tight for me around the waist but Tom Ford (Fit A) also made by Zegna Couture fit me perfectly... I have never had a Brioni or Kiton but are they a bit roomier than mainline Zegna?

 

Thanks for your reply but honestly I don't think they have special cloth for just the couture line... I think it just has to do more with the level of handwork and what not but maybe I am wrong...

 

You're getting caught up in meaningless details. Which one fits the best and with as little alteration needed to get the right fit? Which one serves as a more versatile suit with respect to the fabric and styling details?

All this business of handwork and hand stitching is sometimes more a matter of marketing. At the $1k range for those suits, you're getting a heck of a deal. At full retail? Forget it. All of that handwork, etc. is not going to add or detract from the actual performance of the suit.

 

I'm coming in way late on this conversation but I have to add my two cents.

Zegna Couture is no where near the quality level of Brioni, Kiton, Isaia, and Cesare Attolini for more special occasions. It's night and day really, you truly cannot compare the level of attention to detail in both the tailoring, materials and finishing.

I mostly wear Brioni and Kiton, but love Isaia sport coats for lighter more stylish summer silk/cash or even silk/linen.

I purchased two Ermenegildo Zegna Couture garments in my life, in both cases these were emergencies where I needed something off the rack that I could wear that same day.

• Price points were about the same as a higher-end Brioni jacket on sale (say $2,000-2,500).
• Quality wise, I felt like I was wearing some cheap Chinese machine-made garment. It was horrible to say the least. I would have rather donated that money to charity.
• Finishing was amateur at most, anyone with a good eye for detail would understand this garment is worth $200-300 at most, not $2-3K.
• Button holes on the sleeves were not functional and to add insult to injury machined! Which is absolutely a joke at that price point. Only the lapel was a milanese button hole.
• The buttons themselves were just trash. Nothing special, all extremely uniform, plastic looking. As if it they were just milled and printed. Again, major disappointment at this price point.
• The fabric itself was decent but nothing special, just standard wool you'd find on MUCH cheaper garment that uses the "Zegna fabric" stamp to seem "high-end" to the uneducated consumer.
• Cut and fit was decent, again, it was something that I could use off the rack for an emergency event (a dinner and a business meeting) and hopefully never be caught dead in again.

I personally find Zegna to be a very low-end product posing as a high-end brand with outrageous prices for what you're getting. You may as well spend the extra $500-1,000 and step it up to truly well tailored suit or jacket which will give you years of style and pleasure. Once you wear a truly well made garment, you'll never look back.

I hope this helps anyone who might be about to dish out a couple grand on a Zegna Couture product. Bottomline, it's just not worth it.