SeeCalifornia.com

Frank Sinatra was one of the best dressed men in America during his life. “Frank was a fastidious dresser…. He insisted on picking out everything himself–fabric, color, style. It had to be top-of-the-line,” says Umberto Autore. He should know. He was the famous singer’s tailor and the subject of a book, SINATRA’S TAILOR, by Mark A. Thompson of Seal Beach, Calif. The book author & the tailor traveled in Italy together (pictured top right.)

Raised by “nuns and Nazis,” Umberto didn’t necessarily share similar upbringing with Sinatra, though they were both Italian and just a generation apart in their immigration status–Sinatra’s parents immigrated to the U.S., as did Umberto.

Both men ended up in California at some point and when Sinatra left Capitol in 1960 to start his own record label, Reprise Records, Umberto Autore similarly started his own business, Umberto’s Mens Wear (umbertosmenswear.com) in Long Beach.

Umberto developed a reputation through the years, dressing many of Southern California’s top executives, celebrities and sports figures.

Sinatra died in 1998 and was buried in a blue business suit with mementos from family members–next to his parents in section B-8 of Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City.

Umberto, Sinatra’s Tailor, continues to sell and customize fine suits and clothing at his business at 2141 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA.

For the fascinating story about Umberto’s life, read Sinatra’s Tailor, a book review by Chris MacDonald, who met up with the tailor and his book author recently! The book is published by Aakenbaaken & Kent, and is available online at Barnes & Noble, as well as Amazon.