Rubato

[kubalondon]

In the UK, I see Drake's chinos at £275. Rubato £325-350. Pleated cords I don't compare as Kit Blake that specialises in trousers has them at £275 vs £370 at Rubato..

 

[NassimBandini]

Nice re London location.

As a side comment, I feel like this brand is increasingly polarising though.

PS appears to be rather positive about it all and indeed to me appears they are using their platform to spread the brand awareness and put it in a positive light (Simon is open about Rubato owners being his friends). I don’t really like that because I think he is otherwise appearing very impartial on other brands (some less positive comments I made about their pricing under his articles seem to have gotten lost in the approval process).

The style - initially I was really into it seeing some styling on Instagram (not from Rubato). But then someone from Sweden commented under the most recent Rubato PS article saying that their style is like Scandinavian furniture - bland and lacking something special (in terms of colour and lack of any pattern). Like walking into modern houses - all grey, rigid, lacking soul. And after that I had my questions as cannot unsee this in my head.

Re pricing, a lot has been said so I won’t repeat it all. But one quote is revolting to me. Comes from a PS article about Rubato in 2019:

“PS: OK, so that’s the cut. How about the material?

Rubato: Cashmere’s great, but we loved how vintage pieces wore and aged, and they were usually lambswool.

Plus we wanted something that was easy to care for, that you could wear with everything from jeans to flannels, and that was a little more accessible too.

I think sometimes it’s easy to make expensive garments, because you just pick the most expensive materials, and you have plenty of money to put into design. Sometimes cheaper clothing just doesn’t have the same attention to details.”

So now we have no change to the accessible materials but premium pricing 🤔


All in all, the bar to pick things up in the London shop is rather high to me given all the above. But I do not want to rule it out completely so will give it a chance.

A bit unfair, they tend to have some interesting colours.

 

[NassimBandini]

In the UK, I see Drake's chinos at £275. Rubato £325-350. Pleated cords I don't compare as Kit Blake that specialises in trousers has them at £275 vs £370 at Rubato..

Drake’s is significantly less expensive in pounds than in Euros. Maybe 10% to 15% discount if bought in the UK.

 

[kubalondon]

A bit unfair, they tend to have some interesting colours.

I will have a look tomorrow/Wednesday in flesh. I agree knitwear is difficult to fully appreciate online.

I find their chinos too wide anyway (and find it odd that many people buy them and then alter them to make narrower). So not really bothered about their pricing even if it was £100 less.

 

[SailingIvy]

Drake’s is significantly less expensive in pounds than in Euros. Maybe 10% to 15% discount if bought in the UK.

Yeah Drake's is likely only good value in the UK. I have one or two of their pieces and love them, but the pricing is outrageous in the EU.

 

[lockstock]

Regarding the chinos, I can say with certainty that they are the best quality I have experienced for that price, particularly considering construction and material. They are well worth what you pay for them for sure.

I have not had experience with their lambswool sweaters but to me they are well-priced if the quality is of the same level as their cotton items. The only questionable pricing decision to me is for the Nonpareil line, but I won’t complain as the quality makes up for it to me personally.

 

[SailingIvy]

Regarding the chinos, I can say with certainty that they are the best quality I have experienced for that price, particularly considering construction and material. They are well worth what you pay for them for sure.

I have not had experience with their lambswool sweaters but to me they are well-priced if the quality is of the same level as their cotton items. The only questionable pricing decision to me is for the Nonpareil line, but I won’t complain as the quality makes up for it to me personally.

Good to hear, makes me confident to try them out. A nice high rise flat front khaki with a wider leg is certainly not so easy to find...

 

[lockstock]

Good to hear, make me confident to try them out. A nice high rise flat front khaki with a wider leg is certainly not so easy to find...

I love their shape and fit, definitely on the special/unique-side of things. Be wary that they are quite wide at the bottom, if that’s not exactly your thing.

I should also note that I got mine 50% off during their sale, so that might be a point to consider too. (My previous comment is still valid even if we have the regular price in mind too.)

 

[13.characters]

I’m planning to buy my first pair of Rubato chinos and could use some insight on sizing. For those who own a pair, how accurate is the sizing guide on the website? Is it safe to assume that dividing the waist measurement by two gives the correct folded waist size, or does the fit vary in real life?

On another note, I generally don’t mind Rubato’s pricing, but I find some of their outerwear pieces, like the storm coat priced at €1,750, a bit hard to justify, especially since it’s made with synthetic materials with no underlying layers or padding for warmth. It feels close to brands like Coherence, but that price range is a bit beyond my comfort level. Teclor themselves have similar overcoats they sell at around €800, excluding import duties. Berg & Berg also offers high-quality fabrics and overcoats at a slightly lower range, so it seems there could be a middle ground, perhaps around €1,300, similarly as the Fireman's jacket was priced. I get that brand-related costs add up, but a more accessible price could still work.


That said, I noticed the storm coat sold out quickly, so clearly, Rubato has a solid formula here despite the criticism. And, well… I bought one myself

 

[IUWINS98]

In the UK, I see Drake's chinos at £275. Rubato £325-350. Pleated cords I don't compare as Kit Blake that specialises in trousers has them at £275 vs £370 at Rubato..

For what it’s worth I’ve had both the drakes and rubato officer chinos in ivory/ecru.

The cut of drakes works better for me, but the rubato fabric definitely feels nicer.

Given that, plus the fact rubato is made in Japan vs Portugal for drakes, a price difference is probably justified (although could probably argue both are overpriced)

 

[billscoresby]

Anyone know if Rubato re-stock seasonal pieces within season? Was about to pull the trigger on the shale crew neck but they've sold out in my size.

I would ask them but they can be pretty coy about these things.

 

[SailingIvy]

Anyone know if Rubato re-stock seasonal pieces within season? Was about to pull the trigger on the shale crew neck but they've sold out in my size.

I would ask them but they can be pretty coy about these things.

I think the Standard Knitwear will get restocked, dunno when tho. The new colors are now all part of their permanent-collection

 

[Markus123456789]

To be honest I do not understand the price-ranting. Regarding the knitwear or anything from the permanent-collection the price points are pretty fair. Especially if you compare those to prices of bigger brands. And also considering that they are a small brand and the whole business part will need to be priced in more into each single garment.
250€ for a uniquely cut high quality lambswool sweater which is available in very tasteful basic colors aswell as in uncommon colors is very fair in my opinion. In my mind there are no alternatives at this price point. Especially if you are looking for a deep v-neck in a color other than navy or grey and in lambswool and not looking like you grandpa is also wearing one.
Regarding the belts, they are expensive, yes but are also of the highest quality I could imagine. And, again, the style is quite unique. I own a Berg&Berg Belt and a Rubato. And the latter is certainly higher quality.
Other brands charge around 200€ for a highest quality belt aswell. But most of the time, they lack a unique or tasteful design. A C&J Woven Calf Belt is also 240€ but lacks the style of the Rubato o ones.... (but I love their shoes!)
I cannot comment on their chinos, I think they are very expensive, even compared to something like The Real McCoys's. But I will try them in the near future and report back If they are worth it..
Regarding the belts and the knitwear I could not be happier and will purchase again.

As I understand the issue it is Rubato‘s price policy in the US. I am also based in the EU, like you, and their standard knitwear is reasonably priced. The shirts, chinos and jeans I consider overpriced.

 

[lockstock]

I’m planning to buy my first pair of Rubato chinos and could use some insight on sizing. For those who own a pair, how accurate is the sizing guide on the website? Is it safe to assume that dividing the waist measurement by two gives the correct folded waist size, or does the fit vary in real life?

I am usually 48 in other brands and had to size down to 46, which fit me perfectly. I find the fit quite similar to Natalino with a bit more room in the knees and at the bottom. Comparing the measurements to the website I get the following:

	Rubato	Me (after a few wears)
Waist	40.5	41
Hip	110.5	110
Rise	28.9	28.5
Thigh	34.8	33.5-34.5

I think they are all quite accurate.

 

[NassimBandini]

I’m planning to buy my first pair of Rubato chinos and could use some insight on sizing. For those who own a pair, how accurate is the sizing guide on the website? Is it safe to assume that dividing the waist measurement by two gives the correct folded waist size, or does the fit vary in real life?

On another note, I generally don’t mind Rubato’s pricing, but I find some of their outerwear pieces, like the storm coat priced at €1,750, a bit hard to justify, especially since it’s made with synthetic materials with no underlying layers or padding for warmth. It feels close to brands like Coherence, but that price range is a bit beyond my comfort level. Teclor themselves have similar overcoats they sell at around €800, excluding import duties. Berg & Berg also offers high-quality fabrics and overcoats at a slightly lower range, so it seems there could be a middle ground, perhaps around €1,300, similarly as the Fireman's jacket was priced. I get that brand-related costs add up, but a more accessible price could still work.


That said, I noticed the storm coat sold out quickly, so clearly, Rubato has a solid formula here despite the criticism. And, well… I bought one myself

Usually a size 48. Sometimes, I even have to alter my trousers if they are winter ones and I want to tuck in my turtleneck sweaters. With Rubato, 48 would need to be altered in the other direction: it's a bit too wide. It's cool because I feel 17 again by needing a size 46.