What sets Armani suits apart
Giorgio Armani founded his house in Milan in 1975 and changed menswear by taking the stiffness out of the suit jacket. He removed heavy padding and rigid interlinings so the cloth moved with the body. That idea still defines the clothing today. Read more about the house on our Armani brand page.
The design codes to look for:
- Soft, natural shoulders with little padding, giving an easy line rather than a sharp one
- Fluid fabrics such as fine wools, wool blends, linen and silk mixes that drape rather than hold a hard shape
- A muted palette of navy, charcoal, black and the house's signature greige, a blend of grey and beige
- Restraint in detail, with the cut and the cloth doing the work instead of logos
If the recipient prefers a more structured, traditionally Roman approach to tailoring, compare it with Brioni clothing.
Choosing between Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani
The house works across several lines, and knowing them helps you plan a budget. Giorgio Armani is the top line, with the finest fabrics and the most refined construction. Emporio Armani is younger in spirit and cut a little closer to the body, and sits at a more accessible price. Armani Exchange is casual, built around denim, T-shirts and logo pieces.
Price is driven by the line, the cloth, the share of handwork and whether you buy a full suit or a separate jacket. For a suit, the Giorgio Armani line is a significant purchase; Emporio Armani or a single piece of knitwear lets you give the house's look at a lower outlay.
For South African wear, think about weight. Lighter wools and linen blends suit a coastal or summer wardrobe, while a mid-weight wool earns its place in a Highveld winter. A navy or charcoal suit in a year-round weight is the most versatile first choice.
Fit, sizing and care when the suit is a gift
Armani tailoring generally uses Italian sizing. As a rough guide, the Italian size is about ten more than the UK or South African chest measurement in inches, so a 40 chest is usually close to a 50. Cuts differ between lines, so treat this as a starting point.
Because fit matters so much, many givers choose one of these routes:
- Note the size and fit of a jacket the recipient already wears well
- Allow for tailoring of sleeves and trousers after the gift
- Choose knitwear, a shirt or a coat, which are more forgiving on size
Care is simple: hang the jacket on a broad, shaped hanger, brush it after wearing, rest it a day between wears and dry clean sparingly. Complete the look with Armani shoes, or browse more gifts for him. If you have a particular suit or colour in mind, tell us and we will come back with options.