Benny Holiday's beltback jacket

[Benny Holiday]

Tailor made by the talented Mario Valenti in my hometown of Liverpool, on the outskirts of Sydney. The jacket features knife-edge pleats in each patch pocket, in a design taken from a 1936 menswear catalogue I picked up from Ebay a couple of years back:

Needless to say, this jacket is seeing a lot of wear!

 

[scotrace]

That's fantastic! The pleats, are grand and the fabric is a great choice for it - but it's probably most impressive that you found someone to make it in such a nicely fitted shape. It's very flattering. It seems like no matter who you have doing the work (outside Savile Row), they still produce big boxy jackets. How are the armholes?

This and your new shirt from Magnoli are both A++!

 

[Jay]

That's really sharp!

 

[Rooster]

Great jacket! I hope to get Indy Magnoli to make me something quite similar. I've been undicided on color, now I may consider blue. Thanks for posting those pictures, very inspirational!

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Excellent jacket, Benny! Just amazing. I love the pleated pockets.

I dare say, you should go back for some matching trousers! :eusa_clap

 

[Fletch]

THAT. Is one helluva piece of work!

Meet No. 21831. Obviously another of Mario's clients.

Personally, I say it looks better on you.

 

[Jovan]

I dare say, you should go back for some matching trousers! :eusa_clap

Agreed. It would be pretty versatile that way.

 

[cookie]

Benny's Suit

There are some talented Italian tailors in our town. Was it pricey?

 

[Benny Holiday]

I know if the jacket meets with the approval of you discerning gents, it must be a neat piece of work. Thank you all for your kind comments.

Scotrace, the armholes are high and the overall fit feels great. It has taken me some years of alternately experimenting, pleading, bullying and bargaining to get "Zio Mario" ("Uncle Mario", as I've nicknamed the tailor) into a vintage mindset when it comes to the suppressed waist and other details I like in my suits.

Hem and Jovan, I've been thinking about the matching trousers . . . a lot!

Fletch, at least once a month I visit Mario just to have lunch, all the local store owners (dental techs, an attorney, an accountant etc) set up a huge Italian spread with crusty bread, cheese, olives, mortadella, etc. right there in the tailor shop! I'm sure I've seen No. 21831 skulking about on several occasions, talking the Old Country talk and walking the jailhouse walk! lol

Cookie, the jacket set me back $450. I am indeed very fortunate to have Mario right here in my own home town.

 

[slicedbread]

Very impressive! I love it! You should definitely get some pants!!! How much did that jacket set you back?

 

[flat-top]

That is honestly one of the sharpest jackets I've EVER seen! It looks 100% vintage too!
BRAVO!!

 

[Benny Holiday]

More of Mario's work

These shots were taken last Saturday afternoon. My good friend Paul has a Hollywood-style suit that was made for him by Mario last year. Bi-Swing back (yes, you gotta be careful where you say that in Sydney), pleated pockets, and beltback:

 

[resortes805]

Absolutely awesome!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap
That's it, I'm moving to Sydney!

 

[Benny Holiday]

Cool, when you get here the first round's on me Resortes!

 

[Jovan]

He seems to do very nice work. There's unfortunately no decently priced tailors (or non-alterations tailors whatsoever) here. :-/

If you get the matching trousers -- outer brace buttons, forward pleats, and button flap pockets in the back would complete the look pretty well.

 

[Benny Holiday]

Not bad, Jovan, but the idea of those outer braces buttons has got to go!

 

[koopkooper]

I must add that the photo fletch posted is actually Benny after a big night on the drink, don't know how he got it.

BTW smooth threads jack

 

[Jovan]

I guess they're not everyone's cup of tea, but it is the traditional way to button braces to trousers.

 

[cookie]

The Navy Blue Suit

That is awesome is that a Mario job or vintage?

 

[Feraud]

Those are amazing looking jackets on you and your friend! :eusa_clap