With prices starting at €6,700 for a bespoke two-piece suit, one might wonder: what justifies the eye-watering cost of a Cifonelli creation?
As seasoned observers of the luxury menswear scene, we’ve had the privilege of examining Cifonelli’s craftsmanship up close.
Let’s delve into the factors that make these suits so expensive – and whether they’re truly worth the investment.
Cifonelli’s Unique and Rich Heritage
Cifonelli’s story begins in 1880, when Giuseppe Cifonelli established his atelier in Rome.
His son, Arturo, moved the business to Paris in the 1930s, after studying at London’s prestigious Minister’s Cutting Academy.
The unique blend of Italian passion, French refinement, and English structure forms the bedrock of Cifonelli’s approach.
Today, cousins Lorenzo and Massimo Cifonelli helm the Parisian house, maintaining its reputation for uncompromising quality.
Cifonelli’s Unparalleled Craftsmanship
Stepp into Cifonelli’s Parisian workshop on Rue Marbeuf, and you’ll find a hive of activity that seems frozen in time.
Over 40 skilled artisans work tirelessly, employing techniques honed over generations.
Each suit requires a staggering 80 hours of handwork, spread over several months and multiple fittings.
Cifonelli’s painstaking process allows for a level of precision and customisation that’s simply unattainable in mass-produced garments.
Consider the humble buttonhole. At Cifonelli, each one is meticulously hand-stitched, taking up to an hour to perfect.
It’s this obsessive attention to detail that sets Cifonelli apart from even other high-end tailors.
The Signature Cifonelli Silhouette
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of a Cifonelli suit is its unique shoulder construction.
Known as the ‘cigarette shoulder’, it’s a marvel of tailoring engineering that Karl Lagerfeld once claimed he could recognise from 100 metres away.
Slim and slightly sloped, with a high armhole and a subtle roping effect, it creates a silhouette that’s both elegant and dynamic.
Beyond its aesthetically pleasing silhouette, Cifonelli’s shoulder construction allows for unprecedented freedom of movement.
Achieving this effect requires an almost sculptural approach to tailoring, with precise padding and canvassing.
The technique is so complex that Cifonelli has had its ready-to-wear manufacturers sign contracts promising never to replicate it for other brands.
Luxurious Materials and Exquisite Details
Cifonelli’s commitment to quality extends to every element of their suits.
They source the finest fabrics from renowned mills like Vitale Barberis Canonico, Loro Piana, and Holland & Sherry.
We’re talking about super 150s wools, rare vicuña, and even fabrics woven with 24-karat gold and pure platinum stripes.
The internal construction is equally luxurious, with hand-stitched canvas and the highest quality horsehair interfacing.
Even elements that are typically an afterthought, like linings, receive the Cifonelli treatment.
Their signature striped sleeve linings are a subtle yet unmistakable mark of quality.
Bespoke Experience and Personalisation
Buying a Cifonelli bespoke suit comes with its unique experience.
The process begins with an in-depth consultation, where your preferences, lifestyle, and body type are meticulously noted.
Measurements are taken with scientific precision, recorded on Cifonelli’s distinctive embossed measurement cards.
Multiple fittings follow, each refining the suit to your exact specifications.
Cifonelli’s level of personalisation extends far beyond fit – every aspect of the suit can be customised.
Want a secret pocket for your vintage pocket watch? Or lapels cut to a precise angle? Cifonelli can accommodate even the most esoteric requests.
Exclusivity and Prestige
Let’s be frank, part of what you’re paying for with a Cifonelli suit is exclusivity.
The atelier produces only about 900 suits annually – a fraction of what larger luxury brands churn out.
Cifonelli’s scarcity, combined with its illustrious client list (which has included everyone from Cary Grant to François Mitterrand), adds to the allure.
Wearing a Cifonelli suit signals membership in a very select club.
It’s a subtle flex that speaks volumes to those in the know.
Comparing Cifonelli to Other Luxury Tailoring Houses
To truly understand Cifonelli’s high prices, we need to consider its peers in the upper echelons of tailoring.
Savile Row stalwarts like Huntsman or Anderson & Sheppard command similar prices, starting around £5,000 (about €6,000) for a two-piece suit.
Italian powerhouses like Brioni or Kiton can be even pricier, with some suits crossing the €10,000 mark.
In this context, Cifonelli’s pricing seems less outrageous – it’s simply the cost of entry for this level of craftsmanship.
What sets Cifonelli apart is its unique blend of influences and its innovative approach to classic tailoring.
While a Huntsman suit exudes British aristocratic flair, and a Brioni embodies Italian sprezzatura, a Cifonelli offers a more cosmopolitan elegance.
Is a Cifonelli Suit Worth the Investment?
The question of whether a Cifonelli suit is ‘worth it’ is, of course, highly subjective.
If you’re simply looking for a well-made suit, there are certainly more affordable options that will serve you well.
But if you appreciate the finest craftsmanship, crave a truly personalised garment, and have the means to indulge, Cifonelli offers something truly special.
In an age of fast fashion and disposable luxury, Cifonelli stands as a bastion of true craftsmanship.
Cifonelli suits are beyond clothing, they are a work of art, a testament to centuries of tailoring tradition.
It’s an investment piece that, with proper care, will last for decades and never go out of style.
Moreover, for those in circles where such things matter, a Cifonelli suit communicates success and discernment in a way few other garments can.
Beyond Cifonelli’s Suits
Investing in bespoke suits from heritage brands like Cifonelli is a small step towards creating your personal style.
To dress like a wealthy and successful gentleman, you must know your body type and unique seasonal colour palette, to select clothes for your specific body shape in colours that match your skin, eyes, and hair.
You must also know which heritage fashion brands to shop from and, more importantly, how to style these garments, footwear, and accessories to create a look of subtle luxury and success.
Finally, you’ll have to master styling by occasion, location, season, and even time of day.
If you feel overwhelmed, worry no more – we’re here to help you in three easy and free steps:
1. Find Your Body Type
Different garments flatter different physiques, so knowing your body type is the first step in dressing like a confident man.
To find you body type take this free body shape quiz for men.
2. Find Your Unique Colour Palette
Remember, fashion comes in various colours, but not every hue complements your natural colour.
Take our free seasonal colour quiz for men to find the most suitable colours for you.
3. Find Your Ideal Fashion Style
By now, you should already know your body type and unique colour palette, so the next step is to discover your ideal personal fashion style.
The fastest and simplest way is to take our free fashion style quiz for men; it includes your ideal style, multiple outfit ideas, the most relevant fashion brands for your unique look, and much more.
4. Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU
Last but not least is mastering how to style according to occasion, location, season, and time of the day; this is where our professional styling services for men, created by our expert image consultants and fashion stylists, come in.
Our paid styling packages are the most comprehensive and detailed on the market. Each is backed up by expert stylists who will guide you step by step in creating a personal wardrobe that communicates affluence, elegance, and endless accomplishments.
Remember, owning luxury clothes isn’t enough; to look stylish, confident, and successful, you must know your body type and colour palette and how to style according to the occasion, location, season, and time of day.
Contact us today and save headaches, time, and money; the first styling assessment is on us!