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| - A sign in front of Fabio compares this shop favourably to menswear retailers high end (Harry Rosen) and low (Tom's Place). And I'm sure that Fabio fills a niche, although darned if I can figure out what it is.
A few years ago Fabio relocated from an older building on Bay street (since demolished to make way for a steel and glass office tower). The new-ish space is cramped and crammed full of merchandise, the better to appeal to bargain hunters.
It's tough to say what's worthwhile. The bulk of the merchandise is unbranded or not recognizable, and in some cases very, very old. A hunt for a grey sport-coat reveals a boxy, three-button windowpane plaid that easily predates the Thom Brown skinny suit revolution. I hate skinny suits, but the thought of paying full price for a jacket that was made while I was in undergrad repels me.
A lone gunman patrols the store, and tries to direct me to a book of made-to-measure swatches. The jacket I want can be mine for a shade under $1,000-add 25% if I hit the Christmas party circuit hard and go up a size or two.
The whole affair seems just a bit old and sad. It is saved from the one-star kiss of death by some florid, affordable accessories like a rocking red paisley scarf, and some genuinely cozy gloves I bought a long time ago.
Fabio is right. He's no Tom, Dick or Harry. I can't believe he's a Haberdasher.
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