The Borsalino store in Milan

[Lauren]

Hi all!
I was recently on a business trip to Italy and stumbled across a Borsalino store in Milan! I know I have heard the name mentioned several times on the Lounge, so I took some pics. It was closed when I was wandering about, but here's a few window shots:

 

[Mycroft]

Are those about 5 grand suits in there.

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

I actually like the cut of that grey jacket in the foreground. Do you know if Borsalino makes it?

 

[Lauren]

I don't know, but someone did mention that they made suits. Probably since it's the Borsalino store it's theirs I really like the jacket too. The armholes look high enough even for M. Deckard.

 

[besdor]

The new Borsalino store in Milan has been open for about one year . Borsalino licenses their name to the suits and shirts and everything else in the store .It's all the best of in quality . As for the hats ,the store is more for show . They have another store in Milan in the Galleria mall that sells alot of hats to tourists. I stood there for one hour and watched as the salesman sold about ten high end hats to men and to women . No steaming ,just try it on and in a bag or fancy box .

 

[Lauren]

Huh! Good to know! I bet they pay a lot for the liscenscing rights...

 

[Mycroft]

I think Borsollino and Bironi (suits) are the same company, that is why I asked.

 

[jamespowers]

See, now this is the problem. The modern Borsalino company is interested in licensing their name and making money on everything else. Their efforts should be concentrated on their hats not umbrellas and licensing their name to Toyo hats in Japan so they can make garbage there with a Borsalino name on it.
They have name recognition but their name isn't as good as it once was. They are not like Emeril in the sense that they just license their name and away they go to let you produce whatever you want. Emeril is on the licensees all the time and even checks the quality of their stuff at least once a month. He even employs outside agencies to check his restaurants for quality. Borsalino should be so consientious. I doubt they even make the hats they sell here in the US. The quality is so bad that you could use them for collanders. Glued in liners, sweatbands like cardboard, uninteresting liners and poor quality felt are all part of the package. They are just not worth it.
After the mid 1980s, the Borsalino family sold out to another outfit in Asti. It has never been the same since.

Regards to all,

J

 

[besdor]

They do make all of their own hats that they sell to the US market . I've been to the factory many times and can vouch for that . As for the quality , well thats a whole other topic!!

 

[jamespowers]

They do make all of their own hats that they sell to the US market . I've been to the factory many times and can vouch for that . As for the quality , well thats a whole other topic!!

Geez, if they make all their own hats then they REALLY don't know how to make decent hats anymore. :cry:

Regards to all,

J

 

[Biltmore Bob]

I went into the Miller Hats store in Houston awhile back and they have a couple Borsalinos. I thought the Stetsons they had for sale were better built hats. The Stetsons and Biltmores and even Dobbs seemed to be of far better quality than the Boralinos.

 

[jamespowers]

I thought the Stetsons they had for sale were better built hats. The Stetsons and Biltmores and even Dobbs seemed to be of far better quality than the Boralinos.

That's because they are and that is the sad state of things. I am happy that those names are still around---especially Dobbs---but they are names just as Borsalino is. Stetson Licenses its name out for eyeglasses and a ton of other stuff that has nothing to do with hats as well. They are at least better than they were in the early 80s when they were going broke. They used the lousiest felt you could get your hands on. They even made hats with moth eaten bodies! You can't get much worse than that. Today their dark color hats fade like the dickens but it is an entry level hat that at least will hold water for a time.

Regards to all,

J

 

[riccardo]

Hi to all,
take a look at the web site:www.borsalino.it. Since a lot of mounth it's "under construction"...they also licensed perfumes umbrella and a lot of other items.
I'm afraid that the "true" Borsalino is only a memory.
In Milan there is a nice hat shop with an extra nice person "Cappelleria Melegari" take a look at the web site www.cappelleriamelegari.com
mr.Sergio is a very nice person that answer at all the question about hat.
A member write to him a mail and he got the answer the day after.
Nice person ,nice hat, take a look, guys!!

Best regards.
Riccardo.

 

[besdor]

It looks like a good site ,but it's all in Italian!! No capeshe!!

 

[riccardo]

Yeah!!

I'm sorry for this problem!
I'm sure that they would be happy if you would post this mail:
Gentili signori, Vi scrivo da (name of your town) sarei felice di poter navigare nel Vostro sito se la sessione in lingua Inglese fosse attiva, e come me sarebbero contenti molti miei amici.
Attendo con fiducia.
Grazie e complimenti.



Dear sir, i'm writing from (name of your town) I'would like to see your web site if the English session did work, a lot of my friends,like me, would happy happy for it .
I'm waiting for.
Thanks and compliments.


The translation isn't more good, but my english is poor.
I guarantee my Italian language knowledge.
Good luck.

 

[riccardo]

aaaaa