Inside the Bresciani sock factory, Spirano

March 22nd 2021

Following on from our recent article on Loro Piana, here is one more extract from my book The Finest Menswear in the World . It explains why Bresciani makes some of the finest socks – and importantly, what we mean by ‘the finest’ o...

Inside the Bresciani sock factory, Spirano

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Bresciani has online shopping,at long last! Worth checking out. Lindsay...

Socks and underwearMarch 22nd 2021

Brand round-up: R. Culturi, Mes Chaussettes Rouge...

March 20th 2017

1 R. Culturi There are many brands launching ties or handkerchiefs online these days, given it’s an easy area to try and express something new - and the lack of sizing makes it relatively easy to sell online. One that was shown to me recently ...

Brand round-up: R. Culturi, Mes Chaussettes Rouge...

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I owe MCR an apology - they replied very quickly to my complaint and reassured me that although my password was shown in the email, the email itself was encrypted. So all-in-all a good response....

Hanks and scarves - Socks and underwearMarch 20th 2017

Viccel over-the-calf socks

October 28th 2015

For the past month I have been testing Viccel socks, a Turkish manufacturer that pretty much only sells through its own website. If they tested well, I hoped Viccel would be a good value alternative for over-the-calf hosiery. There are several goo...

Viccel over-the-calf socks

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I recently ordered four pairs of "charcoal gray" Viccel socks and while they arrived, I found the color to be black rather than dark gray. I contacted Viccel and found their response time to be glacial (weeks to reply ba...

Socks and underwearOctober 28th 2015

The Finest Menswear in the World

July 17th 2015

Finally, wonderfully, the book on luxury craft I began writing three years ago is coming out: The Finest Menswear in the World. – You can buy your own personalised copy of The Finest Menswear in the World in the Permanent Style shop &...

The Finest Menswear in the World

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Thank you, Simon. Yes, I think makers, especially with own brand, like Zilli and Seraphin schould be in prioritet position. That's why I would add Hettabretz to your selection. I read what Hattabretz small maker with own...

July 17th 2015

How Pitti is changing

January 13th 2014

In my report on Pitti Uomo for Essence magazine I examine the manufacturers – such as Begg, Merola and Bresciani – that are becoming brands in their own right. Read it here. Pictured: Pino Luciano of Neapolitan tailors Orazio Luci...

How Pitti is changing

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That's a good question Alfred. I'll use it as a post sometime soon if that's ok? Simon...

StyleJanuary 13th 2014

Merola gloves

February 8th 2013

Rather like Maglia, which we discussed earlier in the week, Merola is among the very best makers in its field – in this case, gloves. Both are also based in Rome and have a similarly stellar roster of private-label clients. There is more compet...

Merola gloves

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No, sorry Antonio, never tried them...

Hanks and scarvesFebruary 8th 2013

Emanuele Maffeis shirts

January 18th 2013

This is the first in a series of posts about producers I met in Pitti and Florence more generally. Maffeis is part of a family of companies around Bergamo, in northern Italy. Another is Bresciani socks, which of course I’ve visited and writ...

Emanuele Maffeis shirts

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No one carries them here, apparently they're not that popular. But you can order through the agent, Maurice Greig: [email protected] Simon...

ShirtsJanuary 18th 2013

Louis Vuitton Alzer, hand painted

December 7th 2012

This is a shot from a feature coming up in The Rake next year – on the VIP painting service at Louis Vuitton. I love my Alzer case. Hard-sided cases are one of the few things made by hand by Vuitton, at the old Asnieres facility in France. ...

Louis Vuitton Alzer, hand painted

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I use it when travelling mostly, it is heavy but then so is anything in leather....

BagsDecember 7th 2012

Postcard from Spirano

December 2nd 2011

At Bresciani today, in Spirano just outside Bergamo. Lovely socks, and some nice sheep too. They’ll be the socks chapter of my upcoming book. More photos on www.andybarnham.com

Postcard from Spirano

At Bresciani today, in Spirano just outside Bergamo. Lovely socks, and some nice sheep too. They’ll be the socks chapter of my upcoming book. More photos on   www.andybarnham.com...

Factory visits - Socks and underwearDecember 2nd 2011

Feedback on the A Suitable Wardrobe store

August 3rd 2011

I wrote almost a year ago how impressed I was with Will at A Suitable Wardrobe setting up a store, to sell his taste and knowledge of European manufacturers to the blog’s readership. Since then the store has grown and I have purchased many thin...

Feedback on the A Suitable Wardrobe store

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Kayhan wrote: "I have been trying to get some Simonnot-Godard pocket squares, could you help where I could find them beside's Will's store." I found them in a small webshop in Denmark too: http://grunwald-true-style.com/...

August 3rd 2011

The Dandy Store

November 8th 2010

[Note: The Dandy Store has been bought by Mes Chaussettes Rouges, who can be found here] Apparently, men in France wear appalling socks. I thought the standard in the UK was low, and the US probably worse, but according to Michel Porteneuve and Jea...

The Dandy Store

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I have had great socks from Mes Chausettes Rouges [advertised on this site] and on balance find the Mazarin brand fits me better than Gammarelli. I have thick calves - from cycling I say - and so fit varies. Bresciani ar...

November 8th 2010