Clotheslines

suits you, sir Italian tailors are setting their sights and their scissors on Ireland's lucrative market.

Next week, Leo Letti from Arezzo in Tuscany will be coming to the Clarion Hotel in Dublin's IFSC to take orders in time for Christmas. His company, Dado Letti Sartoria, has a tradition of craftsmanship based on traditional techniques, and has been making made-to-measure suits for a demanding Italian market since 1948. Not only a tailor, but also a keen showjumper, he's no stranger to this country and has bought many horses here. On a previous visit, some years ago, he brought his friend Luciano Pavarotti to the RDS Dublin Horse Show.

Signor Letti will be at the Clarion, on Monday, November 27th from 8.30am to 9pm and on Tuesday, November 28th from 8am to 2pm. Once measurements have been taken and fabric selected (and they use only the best), the suits are made in Italy. He will return to Dublin with the finished items three to four weeks later. It's the kind of service that not only appeals to men wanting a handmade suit at a great price (€400 upwards), but it's also ideal for those who don't fit ready-to-wear sizes. Signor Letti also supplies shirts from €55 and ties from €29. Book an appointment by sending an email to info@dadoletti.com, specifying your choice of date and time.

just the tonic

One of my favourite shops on Wexford Street in Dublin 2 is Djinn, which sells unusual handmade jewellery, some with rare stones imported from India. Owner Simon Phelan started out as a photographer, then got involved in the jewellery business and spent more than three years in Jaipur learning silversmithing. He designs three collections a year for the shop, and one for the RDS Craft Fair, and maintains his links with India. "Some 90 per cent of all precious and semi-precious gems are cut in India, and I am right there when they are being sorted," he says. His stock includes rare jaspers and agates, and he can also source emeralds and diamonds. Prices start at around €15 for glass-bead earrings or bracelets, and go up to €5,000 to €10,000 for a ruby and diamond ring, made to order. Djinn is at 15a Wexford Street, Dublin 2, 01-4759919

knit one

Knits are the big fashion story this winter, and the new cables twist and turn in all sorts of different directions. This grey cable knit (€45) from Wallis, is worn with  grey check, wide-leg trousers (€65), mustard knit  beret (€12) and bag (€44). The Wallis collection also features a cute charcoal shift dress with short sleeves for €87 that looks great with a contrast colour underneath, such as a long-sleeved top in chartreuse, a vibrant colour this season.