The Official-ish DC Thread

[zalb916]

2) Advice sought. Headed to see John Oliver @ Kennedy Center next Friday. Late show (show is at 930PM) looking for dinner for two prior. Thinking the prix fixe menu at L'Avant-Garde in Georgetown. Anyone been there and have feedback? Other good options for early dinner near the KC?

Chez Billy Sud is my go-to spot before a show at the Kennedy Center. Grabbing a spot at the bar at the attached wine bar also works if reservations are not available.

 

[lordsuperb]

I come back to this?! Bummed out about missing this meet up.

Noodles!!!!

 

[CollingsD2H]

Noodles!!!!

What's up!

 

[CollingsD2H]

I'm looking for a new suit and was gonna try a purple label but it appears they are now not made by St. Andrew's? Can someone confirm? Their Kent line seems to be their best offering but have no idea how good or bad they are.

 

[smittycl]

I'm looking for a new suit and was gonna try a purple label but it appears they are now not made by St. Andrew's? Can someone confirm? Their Kent line seems to be their best offering but have no idea how good or bad they are.

I have a Kent cashmere sport coat and really love it. Not sure who makes RLPL now. Santandrea or maybe Caruso? RL has their own tags put in so no factory tags to confirm maker.

 

[CollingsD2H]

I have a Kent cashmere sport coat and really love it. Not sure who makes RLPL now. Santandrea or maybe Caruso? RL has their own tags put in so no factory tags to confirm maker.

I saw some outdated suits hierarchy list on reddit made by styleforum. It had old purple label ranked higher than new. That list was made 7 years ago. Just not sure if this is true still. $3k on a suit seems fine but just need to know if they're as good as St Andrew or not.

 

[hpreston]

My current stash of vintage cloths. Probably a 5–10 year project to have them all made.

Which one should I have made next? Leaning towards the LP or CB blue-grey.

View attachment 2302193
From left to right: Lora Piana navy-grey herringbone (made in their Connecticut mill), brown sport coat cloth, Holland and Sherry blue birdseye, and LP grey with a very subtle blue stripe (made in their Connecticut mill)

View attachment 2302199
And my latest haul, a Carlo Barbera blue-grey stripe.

My First question would be, what key gap in your wardrobe needs filled first?

Having seen your killer Divij navy suit, I'd say that the navy-grey herringbone and navy birdseye can stay on ice and either go for the brown sportcoat or a suit in that killer pale grey. Just my $0.02

 

[lordsuperb]

My current stash of vintage cloths. Probably a 5–10 year project to have them all made.

Which one should I have made next? Leaning towards the LP or CB blue-grey.

View attachment 2302193
From left to right: Lora Piana navy-grey herringbone (made in their Connecticut mill), brown sport coat cloth, Holland and Sherry blue birdseye, and LP grey with a very subtle blue stripe (made in their Connecticut mill)

View attachment 2302199
And my latest haul, a Carlo Barbera blue-grey stripe.

Go with the darkest.

 

[lordsuperb]

I saw some outdated suits hierarchy list on reddit made by styleforum. It had old purple label ranked higher than new. That list was made 7 years ago. Just not sure if this is true still. $3k on a suit seems fine but just need to know if they're as good as St Andrew or not.

Noodles and Nmwa reunion

x Sartoria Carrara x Fox : jacket in Char-Navy sharkskin worsted wool (separates)

"Fox may be world-renowned for its flannels and jacketing, but their worsted wools are truly second to none. The heft, weave and beautiful desaturated navy color makes this a true staple suit. The London Shrunk finish makes it a suit you'll be wearing often with little maintenance."---Greg...

nomanwalksalone.com

 

[hpreston]

Chez Billy Sud is my go-to spot before a show at the Kennedy Center. Grabbing a spot at the bar at the attached wine bar also works if reservations are not available.

I like Chez Billy Sud, so does the wife, we were thinking about trying someplace new. might go with safe.

I'm looking for a new suit and was gonna try a purple label but it appears they are now not made by St. Andrew's? Can someone confirm? Their Kent line seems to be their best offering but have no idea how good or bad they are.

Just curious where you heard of the change of manufacturer. At the end of the day, its going to Ralph's top of the line, regardless of what factory makes it. The different cuts are going to be where you might want to try on (YMMV of course)

I have a Kent cashmere sport coat and really love it. Not sure who makes RLPL now. Santandrea or maybe Caruso? RL has their own tags put in so no factory tags to confirm maker.

What smitty said. hard to keep up with who makes what for Ralph. PL is going to be good though.
If you're set on St Andrews as a factory, The Armoury model 101, 103 and 106 are made there. They do RTW and MTM from St Andrews in both of these cuts.

Noodles and Nmwa reunion

x Sartoria Carrara x Fox : jacket in Char-Navy sharkskin worsted wool (separates)

"Fox may be world-renowned for its flannels and jacketing, but their worsted wools are truly second to none. The heft, weave and beautiful desaturated navy color makes this a true staple suit. The London Shrunk finish makes it a suit you'll be wearing often with little maintenance."---Greg...

nomanwalksalone.com

Or this!

 

[jonathanS]

I have a Kent cashmere sport coat and really love it. Not sure who makes RLPL now. Santandrea or maybe Caruso? RL has their own tags put in so no factory tags to confirm maker.

This sounds right. Although there’s a rl who made what thread.

I saw some outdated suits hierarchy list on reddit made by styleforum. It had old purple label ranked higher than new. That list was made 7 years ago. Just not sure if this is true still. $3k on a suit seems fine but just need to know if they're as good as St Andrew or not.

I wouldn’t put too much stock into a hierarchy. As far as Rtw is concerned, oxxford, rlpl, Kiton, attolini and Zegna couture are all almost entirely handmade and great products

The armoury was mentioned. I think, if you like the silhouette of a rlpl, I think you’ll like their northern Italian inspired model 106. It’s made by st. Andrews Andrew’s and a bespoke Milanese tailor helped them make the pattern.

2-ply Wool Model 106 Suit - The Armoury

It appears this is their only current offering, which is a summer suit. I’m not sure what you’re looking for.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

2) Advice sought. Headed to see John Oliver @ Kennedy Center next Friday. Late show (show is at 930PM) looking for dinner for two prior. Thinking the prix fixe menu at L'Avant-Garde in Georgetown. Anyone been there and have feedback? Other good options for early dinner near the KC?

It's been a couple of years, but L'Avant Garde is amongst the worst meals I've had in DC. Every dish we had was underseasoned or badly cooked. Service was nice at least, but for the prices they charge not nearly good enough.

A new option in the area that's pretty good is the restaurant at Hotel AKA (a.kitchen + bar DC) at 1 Washington Circle. Easy walk to the shuttle at Foggy Bottom.

https://akitchenandbardc.com/dinner/

 

[jonathanS]

It's been a couple of years, but L'Avant Garde is amongst the worst meals I've had in DC. Every dish we had was underseasoned or badly cooked. Service was nice at least, but for the prices they charge not nearly good enough.

A new option in the area that's pretty good is the restaurant at Hotel AKA (a.kitchen + bar DC) at 1 Washington Circle. Easy walk to the shuttle at Foggy Bottom.

https://akitchenandbardc.com/dinner/

28 dollars for a cheeseburger 💀. Plus an automatic 20% gratuity for a non luxury hotel restaurant? You’re better off at imperfecto, ris, or rasika. There’s even a Spanish tapas bar under the ritz.

As far as Georgetown is concerned, osteria mozza just opened. There’s always fiola mare on the water. And there’s villa yara for Lebanese food, cut for a steakhouse. Cafe milano (whose owner has his clothes made in napoli),

 

[nevaeh]

My First question would be, what key gap in your wardrobe needs filled first?

Having seen your killer Divij navy suit, I'd say that the navy-grey herringbone and navy birdseye can stay on ice and either go for the brown sportcoat or a suit in that killer pale grey. Just my $0.02

Go with the darkest.

Thanks, both! The Carlo would fill the gap the best. My current wardrobe leans solids and non-textured fabrics. Plain navy, mid-blue, plain charcoal, and mid-grey. I have one navy pinstripe. The navy and charcoal are Divij and are killers. The others have mediocre fits.

The Carlo is a good gradient between navy and grey, and has a nice texture! Will send the fabric to Divij’s office in Hong Kong for making.

And good call on holding off on the navy-adjacent ones @hpreston. You’re right. Too close to what I have. Pale grey after the CB. But I’ll save it for a family wedding I’m emceeing in Spain in 2026!

 

[TheSuitBurnsBetter]

My current stash of vintage cloths. Probably a 5–10 year project to have them all made.

Which one should I have made next? Leaning towards the LP or CB blue-grey.

View attachment 2302193
From left to right: Lora Piana navy-grey herringbone (made in their Connecticut mill), brown sport coat cloth, Holland and Sherry blue birdseye, and LP grey with a very subtle blue stripe (made in their Connecticut mill)

View attachment 2302199
And my latest haul, a Carlo Barbera blue-grey stripe.

What is the mid-brown herringbone at the bottom??