All Boss suits I've ever seen are fused. Good fabrics and nice cut yes. But cheaper fast construction. That makes a suit overpriced for me.

Just go to the Bon Genie in Geneva, check out the Canalis, Zegna sartoria ( not the mainline Zegna or even worse the ZZegna ) and other canvas constructed suits like Zileri, Corneliani, Boglioli Sartoria etc and you'll see and feel the difference on yourself.

Stop digging, it's only proof you haven't bought the proper Boss suits... The Boss Baldessarini line suits were all canvas constructed. Granted Baldessarini is now (since collection year 2007 if memory serves) a separate entity. Still no excuse.

There are at least two lines in the 08 collection that are not fused.

You are right about Baldessarini, but I was talking about Boss mainline.

Baldessarini is another business entity as you said and also more expensive than Boss and you'll not get them in the usual Boss shops.

Funny this, as I always bought them in the usual Boss store for as long as they were under the Boss range. They're also the same price as Canali and Zileri, while we're at comparing apples with apples, n'est-ce-pas...

<Ahem>..................

Agreed, they are on the same price range and quality of construction.

BTW you can get Isaias, Zileris, Zileri Sartoriales and Boglioli Sartoria very discounted at the end of the season at "Le mouton à 5 pattes" in Geneva, specially at the shop at rue du Rhône, but right now it is the beginning of the season so they should be around 800-1000, they can reach 300-500 by July

are there any second hand stores in Basel also??? haven't notice none so far.. or i just looking in wrong direction ......................

instead of buying a suit, how about renting a suit?
here is a address of costume rental in Zürich, where you might find a 70s/80s suit.

Atelier Claire Schärer
Kostümverleih, Partykleider, Niklauskleider
Seefeldstrasse 197
8008 Zürich
phone:044 / 383 12 06

http://www.atelierschaerer.ch/index.php?page=main

you could also try ebay.

One of my favorite second-hand stores (or I should say consignment stores) is a place called Luxury Zurich. They're not exactly cheap, but as the name suggests, they are purveyors of luxury goods (think: Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Armani, Hermes, et al.) all in fabulous condition (e.g., new or VERY lightly used) and fairly priced, IMHO.

I know the owners, and they are just terrific to deal with. I've bought several items from them and I'd buy again in a heartbeat.

Their address is Untere Zäune 5 8001 Zurich. They're open W-F 1230-1900 and Sat 1030-1430 and they also have a website: http://www.luxury-shops.com/0_home/index.php

Another place is called Jasmine Secondhand and they're in Seefeld (Seefeldstrasse 47 8008 Zurich Tel: 044:251 9674) and are open M-F 1100 - 1830 and Sat 1100 - 1600

I haven't bought anything from Jasmine, but they have really lovely things.

Both of these shops cater mainly to women, though some of the accessories might appeal to guys as well ;p

There's a book available of second-hand stores in Zurich. It's in German though - hope that's not a problem.

I've got the one called Zurcher Brockis and I got it at the SihlCity bookshop. I saw the Second-hand one in the little shop opposite Haus Kostruktiv on Selnaustrasse that sells great things made from all kinds of recycled objects. Published by these people - looks like just what you want - www.brockifuehrer.ch

The Caritas shops on Birmensdorferstrasse are often worth a dig for more casual stuff - not sure if they've got designer-quality but T-shirts, trousers etc. they've got.

There's also all kinds of places round the back of Stauffacher - Ankerstrasse/Freyastrasse - definitely worth a wander. Again, T-shirts, trousers etc, no problem. Almost like being back home in London and having a dig round Brick Lane - now all that's missing is being open on Sundays

There's also a website that lists Zurich Brockis, both in English and in German:
http://www.auszweiterhand.ch/

Anyone got any recommendations for the Lausanne area?

Although Brockis are good for the occassional item, I don't think they generally fall under the category 'cool' . If possible, I'd like to steer the thread towards dedicated - and cool - second hand clothing stores.

(I'm not Brocki bashing, but they're rather hit-or-miss affairs...)

I was just highlighting the fact that these people brought a book out - they have two books, one of Brockis and one of second hand shops. Those places around Ankerstrasse have "cool" gear, not sure how much designer, but definitely not the bottom of the scale stuff.

And I've been thinking about what Salsa Lover said - there's two kinds of "second hand" shopping being talked about here - charity shop/Brocki level and "vintage" shops which I think is more what Uncle Max is looking for.

Salsa Lover is referring to people who might have used to only be able to afford charity shop/Brocki clothes, or been clothed in that by their parents, and now they can afford it rather buy new.

Uncle Max I think is referring to people looking for retro/cool "vintage" clothes, designer clothes of a year or two ago, well looked after and hardly worn but still far more expensive than anything in the Brocki category.

On what do you base your first statement? It sounds rediculous to me and such a sweeping statement must be on its face false. Please clarify or substantiate with facts please.

Hmmm. Off topic and in defense of UM: That Fred Perry polo would have been perceived as being extremely fashionable and cool in some gay circles. They are considered basic pieces and have inspired designers from Comme des Garçons, Dior, D&G, DSquared.... Not that i am implying that Max is gay or anything like that, but everything is relative in fashion and taste....

Look here for some pointers:
http://www.auszweiterhand.ch/index.php

It most likely is ridiculous. However, in the working class environment I grew up in, nobody would be seen dead in second hand clothes, as it would imply they couldn't afford new clothes.

Those school pals I had from other demographics had no issue with 'cool' items, even if second hand. There was no [need for a] sense of shame.

Walk through Liverpool today - still a working class city but definitely on the up - and you'll see more Vivienne Westwood, Pucci and Missoni than a week on the Bahnhofstrasse. Bling is a working-class phenomenon.

(I don't have any desire to dredge up class issues here, but the monster raised it's head )

I can recommend "JASMIN" 2nd Hand Store in Seefeldstr. 47 (also mentioned by Latigresse further above).

Not sure whether this one is rally "cool" but they have Top Designers like Armani, Prada, Jil Sander, Hermes, Chanel and also some mid range designers. Bought some wonderful Hermes Shoes there (like new) and a Chanel Evening dress, etc.

Prices are ok and the clothes are usually in top condition (not smelling like old clothes). They have a pretty large collection, it is usually worth having a look. It seems that some Zurich High Society Ladies just drop all their prior season clothes there ... and one of them seems to have exactly my size and taste .... dangerous ...

The opening hours are a bit limiting for working people (11 am to 6pm, saturday closing at 4pm and the owner likes long vacation).

Just opposite there is another 2nd Hand shop, but have not tried that one.

Fizzen is excellent, far better than any others. I usually come out with at least one item and I can never ever usually find stuff I like.

It's just up the street from Roxy Records, next to Beach Mountain.

http://www.fizzen.ch/