Australian Members - Part II - if you read the first post, you'll get what this is all about.

[Geoffrey Firmin]

Northern NSW. Travel to Sydney for work & Brisbane occasionally to see ageing relatives.
At this point I'm open to anywhere in Australia. Feels like the last few decent places I knew of didn't survive COVID & either no one wants to ship here, or shipping is more expensive than the furniture.

Eclipse furniture https://www.eclipsefurniture.com.au/
I have strawberry mountain ash table seat eight comfortably and a Tallboy of six drawers which are twenty years old and have aged beautifully.

The table alone is an excellent raconteur.

Highly recommend.

 

[BananaKing]

Somewhat shocked to find an actual high-ish rise (sitting between hip crests and umbilicus) and relaxed fit trousers from suitsupply. Even has single reverse pleat and side adjusters. And price is verrrryyy reasonable at $250.

Black Pleated Duca Trousers in Pure Linen | SUITSUPPLY Australia

Shop the Black Pleated Duca Trousers in Pure Linen at Suitsupply. Enjoy FREE delivery and returns on all orders.

suitsupply.com

 

[mistermike]

Any recommendations for a cobbler who can do flush metal toe taps on a pair of C&J? Ideally in Brisbane but I am happy to post elsewhere if needed. I used to go to Baxter & Black in Sydney but recall reading that Nathan had stepped out of the business.

 

[eightace]

Any recommendations for a cobbler who can do flush metal toe taps on a pair of C&J? Ideally in Brisbane but I am happy to post elsewhere if needed. I used to go to Baxter & Black in Sydney but recall reading that Nathan had stepped out of the business.

Kieran the Cobbler

I've had flush metal toe-taps, new soles, topies, new heels, everything - all expertly done, and Kieran is great to deal with.

 

[mistermike]

Kieran the Cobbler

I've had flush metal toe-taps, new soles, topies, new heels, everything - all expertly done, and Kieran is great to deal with.

Thanks!

 

[The False Prophet]

Can anyone comment on the quality of MJ Bale knitwear these days? I have a couple of the 'Collection' pieces that are at least 10 years old, from back when they were made in Italy.

I suspect everything is now Chinese-made, but still from good quality Australian wool.

I'm keen to pick up a few things without spending too much money, so it might be an option, assuming they'll last...

 

[left_straussian]

Can anyone comment on the quality of MJ Bale knitwear these days? I have a couple of the 'Collection' pieces that are at least 10 years old, from back when they were made in Italy.

I suspect everything is now Chinese-made, but still from good quality Australian wool.

I'm keen to pick up a few things without spending too much money, so it might be an option, assuming they'll last...

I have some knitwear that I bought right before Covid and its decent quality - though I would still wait for a sale personally. If you are a bit more money conscious, some of Uniqlo's higher end alternatives (merino, cashmere etc) are decent and typically cheaper.

Their website claims that the suits are 'Grown in Australia, woven in Italy, and Made in Japan' but I don't know if that extends to the knitwear range.

Unrelated, does anyone know a decent alterations tailor in Melbourne? I have some older jackets that need the sleeves taken up (at the shoulder) and my local guy flat out refused to try it.

 

[Scuppers]

Unrelated, does anyone know a decent alterations tailor in Melbourne? I have some older jackets that need the sleeves taken up (at the shoulder) and my local guy flat out refused to try it.

Anton at M & E at the paramount centre on Bourke Street.

 

[sensuki]

Unrelated, does anyone know a decent alterations tailor in Melbourne? I have some older jackets that need the sleeves taken up (at the shoulder) and my local guy flat out refused to try it.

Jose Zarpan in the Nicholas building on Swanston St

 

[Funposter]

Can anyone comment on the quality of MJ Bale knitwear these days? I have a couple of the 'Collection' pieces that are at least 10 years old, from back when they were made in Italy.

I suspect everything is now Chinese-made, but still from good quality Australian wool.

I'm keen to pick up a few things without spending too much money, so it might be an option, assuming they'll last...

I have a couple of the 95% cotton 5% cashmere pieces. They're made in China, quality is fine. The Delon Crew Knit I picked up on sale, and so it was only $117 or so - well worth the price. I paid the full $200 for a cable crew sweater too, and as with anything from MJ Bale, that was obviously a mistake, but I didn't know any better at the time. Double check the sizing for all items in-store, because the crew knit in Medium was a perfect fit while the Medium cable knit is realistically almost a size too large.

Their website claims that the suits are 'Grown in Australia, woven in Italy, and Made in Japan' but I don't know if that extends to the knitwear range.

That only applies to particular suits in the $1,495 price range, and I believe the MTO suits are also made in Japan.

Honestly, the entire direction of the company seems to be on a downward trend, which I'm sure has been observed by many people (probably in this thread) for a while now. Very marketing-heavy and lots of bollocks about being carbon neutral, but little substance about fit, materials, and where items are actually made. The uniform fit for all jackets and trousers continues to be disappointing.

 

[The False Prophet]

Some interesting ephemera that I ran across by accident, the obituary of Mr Henry Buck:

Mr. Henry Buck. - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) - 9 May 1933

The death has ocurred in England, his many friends will regret to learn, of Mr. Henry Buck, a leading merchant of Melbourne, Mr. Buck became ill last week, ...

trove.nla.gov.au

 

[Markodevil]

I have an old MJ Bale jacket that I want to get the sleeves shortened, unfortunately I will need to get it taken up at the shoulders due to the working buttons on the cuffs. Does anyone know of an alterations place in Melbourne (or surrounding suburbs) that can do this well? And if so, how much would they charge?

 

[deadbilly]

I have an old MJ Bale jacket that I want to get the sleeves shortened, unfortunately I will need to get it taken up at the shoulders due to the working buttons on the cuffs. Does anyone know of an alterations place in Melbourne (or surrounding suburbs) that can do this well? And if so, how much would they charge?

There are 2 recommendations a few posts up. But I'd love to hear of one not in the Melbourne Central Business District...not even for shoulder work, just to let all the seam allowance out (they seem to have shrunk).

Anton at M & E at the paramount centre on Bourke Street.

Jose Zarpan in the Nicholas building on Swanston St

 

[sensuki]

There are 2 recommendations a few posts up. But I'd love to hear of one not in the Melbourne Central Business District...not even for shoulder work, just to let all the seam allowance out (they seem to have shrunk).

Where abouts do you live? I have one other recommendation in St Kilda West

 

[deadbilly]

Where abouts do you live? I have one other recommendation in St Kilda West

Thanks, mid northern suburbs, St Kilda West is probably a little hard to get to, anywhere else north of the river, 30 kms from GPO (west, east, north) would be ideal. Cheers.