Borsalino Alessandria review: worth it or skip?

What the Borsalino Alessandria does well

The headline: rabbit felt fedora. The details: Material: Rabbit felt; Lining: Silk; Fit: Sized; Made in: Italy. In our list it is the pick for: hand-made fedora. It usually sells for $450–$600 in the US.

Hand finished.

The trade-offs

Good: superb. Not so good: formal. Read the skip-if line before you spend: skip it if you want casual.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Borsalino Panama Quito ($450–$650): hand-woven toquilla straw panama. Better if you want the classic summer hat.

Instead, consider the Borsalino Fur Felt Fedora ($400–$600): fur felt fedora. Better if you want a classic fedora.

Instead, consider the Lock & Co. Hatters Trilby ($300–$450): felt trilby. Better if you want British heritage.

Before you buy

Size: hats are sized by head circumference; measure just above the ears. Glove fit: leather gloves should be snug; they stretch slightly with wear. Lining: cashmere and silk linings add warmth without bulk.

Buyer tip

Italian glove makers (Sermoneta, Merola) and British Dents give luxury-house quality for much less than fashion brands.

Buying in Europe: European prices include VAT, and many Italian and French makers of sunglasses, gloves and leather goods sell for less at home than in the US. Check the warranty and repair service before buying across borders.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.

Buy from the fashion house, an authorized retailer or a reseller that authenticates and guarantees every piece, and keep the receipt, the dust bag, the box and any warranty card: they matter for repairs and for resale. Swiss watches carry a 2- to 5-year international warranty when bought from an authorized dealer, and buyers in the EU and UK also have a legal guarantee of at least two years on new goods.