To begin with the old adage “If is sounds too good to be true it usually is” is a good basis. If you see brand new Armani, Zegna, Versace or even Brioni coming from a seller with low feedback or from a country like China for $99 “Caveat Emptor”. Wholesale cost on Zegna is over $600 so keep that in mind.

Today many suit makers have moved assembly operations to Asia because of the weak dollar and high import taxes from Italy. This does not mean they are low quality as there are good assembly factories in Italy as well as inexpensive one’s. This holds true to Asian factories as well. There are very few “Old School” factories where there are actual old Italian tailors assembling the suits. Most are factories just like every other country manned with low income factory workers so keep that in mind if you are one of those people that has to have the “Made in Italy” label. Today it isn’t so much where it is assembled but how it is assembled, what fabric are used and by what standards.

#1 Rule. If the suit indicates “Designed in Italy” It is not assembled in Italy. This does not necessary mean it is poor quality as we carry quite a few high quality suits from Korea and China. If you receive a suit assembled in Bangladesh, Mexico or some other third world country this is normally an indication of substandard quality. An Italian assembled suit will almost always have a “Made in Italy” tag.

#2. If a seller is advertising hand basted canvas fronts on his suit ask him what this means. Most likely they have copied it from our auctions and do not know the meaning. Hand basting is the Old School was of assembling suits by sewing by hand. It is superior in the longevity of a suit but most suit are now assembled by fusing with glue. Yes, even the big boys like Armani and Zegna fuse. There are only a few left like Oxxford, Canali, Baroni that still use canvas fronts.

#3. If the suit does not have a composition lable in the pocket there is a good chance you have received a tetron/viscose (Polyester) suit. This is very common with some sellers since the blend comprises a fabric that is almost indistunishable from a high quality wool. The hard way to find out is to iron the suit. If it melts you have been taken. If it smells like chemicals instead of a sheep that is also an indication that it is not wool or is a wool blend.

Come visit our store for all of you high quality fashion needs that will be met without disappointment–>>The Wizard of Aahs Clothing