For those who love to invest in local crafts as special, long-lasting, well-made, and unique souvenirs of their trips and as gifts to bring back to people at home, Tuscany is certainly a destination that has some really wonderful and numerous offerings. From ceramics, to straw hats, to leather goods, to cosmetics favoured by queens, to special cakes, to gorgeous gold jewellery, there are a range of stunning carefully-crafted products from Tuscany that continue to be made using traditional methods and are worth checking out if you have booked a vacation rental in Tuscany.
While many of the regional crafts of Tuscany are well-known commodities that those who holiday in Tuscany know to seek out, there are many that are less familiar. Among these Casentino cloth (or Casentino wool) has, however, been becoming increasingly familiar as more and more famous brands have sourced it for the construction of their garments from Armani, to Stüssy, to Dior, and beyond.
Casentino cloth is famously soft and warm and is made of a high quality wool that is often used in menswear for suiting as well as in garments for all, such as shirts, fleeces, jackets, sweatshirts, tracksuits, and more. It comes from the famously green and beautiful Casentino area of Tuscany and was first developed around the 14th century for those working outdoors and to keep animals warm and dry, which is why it is such a durable fabric. Explore this gorgeous part of the region and all of its wonders – both natural and manmade – by booking one of our vacation rentals in Casentino and planning your trip today!
The tradition of processing sheep’s wool in Casentino, however, has an even longer history, going all the way back to the Etruscans. Casentino cloth was a further evolution of this enduring heritage, made from the wool of the same breed of local sheep with their distinctively rough coats, but with its warmth and wear-resistance further enhanced by a new special brushing process. This process, called rattinatura, compresses the fibres and makes Casentino cloth distinctively fuzzy and especially warm, as well as being prone to staying dry. For coats and suiting, therefore, it is perfect for crafting quality pieces that are made to last but many streetwear brands today are also using it as an ideal alternative to denim or modern synthetic fleeces.
Historically, there were largely two colours of Casentino cloth that were commonly found: an emerald green and a so-called, "duck’s beak orange". The former was traditionally used for linings and favoured by monks at the nearby Camaldoli Monastery and the La Verna Sanctuary as well as used to create durable throws used to cover horses. The latter colour, meanwhile, was actually the result of a failed experiment in the 16th century, when alum was added to try and make the fabric yet more waterproof. Instead, it reacted to a dye and created a bright orange shade that would go on to become emblematic of Casentino cloth - the style icon that was Audrey Hepburn, in fact, sports an iconic orange Casentino wool coat by Givenchy with a fur hat and big sunglasses in a scene in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Other shades are created and used for Casentino cloth today but these two originals do remain enduringly common and beloved.
While you can shop Casentino cloth products from various brands based all over the world, we do recommend seeking it out and stocking up while you are in the area on vacation in Tuscany – you’ll find some impeccably-made pieces and even, sometimes, some excellent bargains. The Tuscan brand T.A.C.S., for example, makes duffle coats, gilets, overcoats, short coats and more for men in muted and bright shades as well as gilets, wraps, and a variety of silhouettes of coats for women in a wider range of shades, in addition to slippers, that are all sure to last a lifetime. They are based in Stia and have stores in Stia itself as well as in the nearby town of Poppi and in Florence. Founded by Bruno Savelli, who trained in Stia’s famous woollen mill, the brand combines his experience and tradition with the energy and excitement of the next generation. While you are shopping in Stia, you should also pop into the Museo dell’Arte della Lana, a museum dedicated to the town’s long tradition of the craft, housed in the architectural wonder that is the town’s 19th century wool mill and boasting historic looms.
So, book a villa in Casentino and enjoy the immense beauty of this especially verdant part of the region while stocking up on some style staples or find a holiday rental in Tuscany and make a point to come to the area to find a perfect sartorial souvenir to bring home with you. If it is good enough for Hepburn, Givenchy, Armani, Gucci, Dior, and more, then who could say no? Just be sure to leave enough space in your suitcase to bring your fashion spoils back with you!