The Mr. Derk Guide to Tagliatore Sizing
Real measurements from our Edmonton floor, the difference between Holland and Vesuvio, and how to pick your size with confidence.
An Italian house that builds for the way men actually wear a jacket.
Tagliatore was founded in 1992 by Pino Lerario in Martina Franca, a small town in Puglia in southern Italy. The house is family-run and every piece is hand-finished by their atelier, with a working tolerance of about one centimetre across measurements from one piece to the next. That hand-finishing is the reason Tagliatore feels different on the body to factory-cut Italian tailoring.
The house is best known for its soft-shouldered Italian blazers, the Monte Carlo block (now called Holland), and a deep range that runs well past the suit jacket. Tagliatore also produces peacoats, double-breasted overcoats, sport coats, and trousers across each season, all in the same hand-finished tradition.
At Mr. Derk in Edmonton we carry the Tagliatore men's collection year-round, primarily the Holland blazer block and the Vesuvio suit block, on the floor and online.
Tagliatore is built on two fits. Knowing which one you're trying on changes everything.
The blazer block
Construction: spalla camicia shoulder, soft unstructured chassis, self-face chest piece, narrow armhole.
Tagliatore's new name for what longtime customers know as Monte Carlo, with 1.5 cm added to jacket length for North American proportions. Same shoulder, same chest piece, same construction. Just a longer body.
The suit block
Construction: traditional shoulder seam, light canvas and interlining, more structured.
Tagliatore's base fit. A slim athletic block that's the chassis behind their suit program, occasionally cut as a sport jacket when a customer wants a structured Italian shoulder.
Holland vs Vesuvio at R44 (US 40), as we measure them on the floor.
Tagliatore publishes the Holland-Vesuvio difference as 1.5 cm extra jacket length, otherwise identical. On our racks the deviation is wider.
Holland runs about an inch roomier through the chest, with a narrower shoulder yoke for the soft spalla camicia silhouette and a slightly shorter sleeve. Vesuvio runs trimmer and more structured. If you've worn Tagliatore Monte Carlo before, Holland is closest in spirit. If you size by chest, expect Holland to wear a shade easier across the body than Vesuvio.
Italian to US and Canadian sizes.
These are the industry-standard Italian numeric to US and Canadian alpha size mappings. Real Tagliatore garment measurements (Holland and Vesuvio) are below.
Tailored clothing (jackets, suits, blazers)
| XS | S | M | L | L | XL | 2XL | 2XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy / Europe | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 58 |
| US / Canada | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 |
| Waist (in) | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 |
| Chest (in) | 35 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 43 | 45 | 47 | 49 |
Shirts
| XS | S | M | L | L | XL | 2XL | 2XL | 2XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy / Europe (collar cm) | 37 | 38 | 39 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
| US / UK (collar in) | 14.5 | 15 | 15.5 | 16 | 16.5 | 17 | 17.5 | 17.75 | 18 |
What Tagliatore means by drop 6, drop 7, and drop 8.
Drop is the difference between your chest measurement and your waist measurement, in inches. A drop 7 jacket is cut for a chest that's 7 inches larger than the waist. A drop 6 is fuller through the waist. A drop 8 is cut more athletic.
Tagliatore typically cuts drop 7, the athletic-classic baseline for Italian tailoring. Some pieces are offered drop 6 or drop 8 depending on the season's collection.
To find your drop: measure your chest at the fullest point and your waist at the narrowest point. Subtract waist from chest. Round to the nearest whole number. That's your drop.
If you fall between drops: size up the jacket and have us take in the waist. Chest, shoulder, and armhole are difficult to alter. Waist suppression is straightforward. Both alterations are included free of charge with any Tagliatore purchase from Mr. Derk.
Real garment measurements, R38 through R50, taken on our floor.
Tagliatore Size Chart
All measurements are taken flat. Half-measurements (1/2) are taken across the laid-flat garment, not doubled for circumference. Tagliatore is hand-finished in Martina Franca, Puglia, with a working tolerance of about 1 cm across measurements. If you're between sizes, size up. Shoulders are easy to nip, body is hard to add.
Holland Blazers (Jacket)
Vesuvio Suits (Jacket)
Vesuvio Suits (Pants)
Four measurements, taken with a soft tape against your shirt.
Chest. Around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms, tape parallel to the floor. Don't pull tight.
Waist. Around the narrowest part of your torso, just above the belly button. Where you'd cinch a belt for the most comfortable fit.
Sleeve. From the centre back of your neck, across your shoulder, down the outside of your arm to the wrist bone, with a slight bend in the elbow.
Jacket length. From the base of your neck (where a shirt collar sits) straight down your back to the bottom of your seat.
If you're not sure, come into the store. We'll measure you free of charge. No purchase necessary, no appointment needed.
Every Tagliatore garment from Mr. Derk includes complimentary in-house tailoring. We've fitted thousands of Italian suits. Chest, sleeves, waist, hem, all included.
Tagliatore is currently off-the-rack at Mr. Derk. We're working on bringing in their made-to-order program. The fabric selection isn't broad enough yet to launch it properly, and we'd rather wait than offer something half-built. If you have a specific colour or fabric in mind, call us at 780-431-4293. We can usually source it through our existing seasonal orders or point you to the closest in-stock match.
The questions we get most often, on the floor and over the phone.
Does Tagliatore run small?
Tagliatore runs true to size for Italian tailoring, which means slim through the chest and waist compared to North American or British cuts. If you've worn Canali, Boglioli, or Eidos, expect a similar feel. If your only reference is Hugo Boss or Brooks Brothers, size up one Italian size and try the next size as well.
What's the difference between Holland and Monte Carlo?
Holland is the new name for Monte Carlo. Same shoulder, same chest piece, same construction, with 1.5 cm added to the jacket length for North American proportions. Tagliatore renamed the block in their latest format update. If you've worn Tagliatore Monte Carlo before, Holland will feel familiar with a slightly longer body.
How does Holland compare to Vesuvio?
Holland is the soft blazer block, Vesuvio is the structured suit block. On our floor at the same numeric size, Holland runs roomier through the chest and stomach with a narrower shoulder yoke, a slightly shorter sleeve, and a longer body. Vesuvio runs trimmer and more structured. The fit-comparison table earlier on this page shows the exact deviations at R44.
Will my Tagliatore shrink?
No, with proper care. Tagliatore garments are dry-clean only. Dry-clean once or twice per season at most, brush regularly between wears, and rest the garment 24 hours after wear before re-hanging. Following that routine, you'll see no measurable shrinkage over the life of the garment.
Can you alter the shoulder?
Yes. Shoulder narrowing is one of the most common alterations we do on Tagliatore blazers, and it's included free with your purchase. We can take in a shoulder by 0.5 to 1.5 cm without disturbing the lapel roll or the sleeve cap. Larger reductions are possible but become more visible to a trained eye.
Can you alter the chest?
A chest can be taken in by one numeric size with no visible compromise. Letting a chest out is much harder, since we're limited by the seam allowance the maker left. Always size to your chest and shoulder first, then have the waist and length adjusted around it.
What's your return policy on Tagliatore?
Tagliatore garments follow our standard return policy: 14 days from purchase, unworn, with original tags attached. Garments that have been altered are final sale. If you're shopping online and unsure about size, we strongly recommend booking a fitting in store, or calling us first to talk through measurements.
Where is Tagliatore made?
Tagliatore is made in Martina Franca, a small town in the Puglia region of southern Italy. The atelier is family-run and has been hand-finishing tailored clothing in Martina Franca since the early 1990s. Every blazer, suit, and overcoat is cut and finished there.
When was Tagliatore founded?
Tagliatore was founded in 1992 by Pino Lerario in Martina Franca, Puglia. The house is still family-run, with Pino's children now working alongside him on collection direction and production. The brand has stayed independent throughout, which is increasingly rare in Italian tailoring.
What fabrics does Tagliatore use?
Tagliatore sources from the major Italian and English mills: Loro Piana, Vitale Barberis Canonico, Cerruti, Drago, and Reda for wool, plus seasonal cottons, linens, and wool-silk blends. Mohair-wool is a favourite for tuxedos and dressier suits because of its dry hand and resistance to wrinkling. Each fabric is identified on the product page when you're shopping a specific piece.
Drop 6 vs Drop 7. Which one fits me?
Measure your chest at the fullest point and your waist at the narrowest point. Subtract waist from chest. If that number is closer to 6, you're a drop 6 (fuller waist). Closer to 7 or 8, you're drop 7 or drop 8 (athletic-classic to athletic). If you fall between, size up the jacket and let us take in the waist. Free of charge.
Do you offer Tagliatore made-to-measure?
Not currently. We're working on bringing in the Tagliatore made-to-order program. The fabric selection isn't broad enough yet to launch it properly, and we'd rather wait than offer something half-built. If you have a specific combination in mind, call us at 780-431-4293 and we'll see what we can source.
Does Tagliatore make women's clothing?
Yes. Tagliatore produces a women's collection in Italy and Europe, including blazers, coats, and tailored separates. Mr. Derk currently stocks the men's collection only. If you're shopping for a woman's Tagliatore piece, the brand's main retailers in Europe and a few US specialists carry the women's line.
Where can I buy Tagliatore in Canada?
Mr. Derk in Edmonton is the Canadian destination for Tagliatore. We carry the Holland blazer block and the Vesuvio suit block year-round, on the floor and online at mrderk.com. Free in-house tailoring is included with every purchase. Visit us at 10428 Whyte Avenue or call 780-431-4293 to book a fitting.
How does Tagliatore compare to Boglioli or Eidos?
Tagliatore and Boglioli sit in the same territory: soft-shouldered Italian blazers built to be light and breathable. Boglioli offers higher canvas-construction options too, but at Mr. Derk we usually buy their soft, lightly-fused pieces. That's what customers actually want to wear. Eidos is the little brother of Isaia, so it lives one tier up in construction with the same Neapolitan heritage and exclusive Italian fabrics. All three brands take real care to build a garment that lasts.
Need help finding your size?
Book a private fitting at our Edmonton store. Our team has fitted thousands of Italian suits. Free of charge, no purchase necessary.
Or call us at 780-431-4293.