At a time when men are seeking greater self-expression through clothing, reclaiming the codes often imposed by the world of work in order to reinterpret them, the mixing of styles between workwear and comfortable pieces, urban culture and tailoring, blue suits and white trainers, has never been more relevant.
How can you mix styles without taking too many risks? Which pieces should you choose for an outfit that is both elegant and informal?
The greatest advantage you can gain from a skilful mix of styles is a singular, truly personal look that represents you perfectly. Even the most minimalist among us (think Arsène Wenger for sports enthusiasts) can express their creativity through well-chosen pieces. But the challenge is knowing how to adapt your style to different situations. In private, you can try original outfits without too much concern: you will quickly see the reaction of those close to you and the people around you (« What the fuck? »). At work, it is more delicate (unless you work in fashion, where the boundary between ultra-fashionable and no-look is highly subjective).
Can formalwear be desirable? Formal style is often associated with a collection of garments suited to the workplace, with uniforms worn conventionally and with little appeal. Beyond being defined by a set of pieces from the same outfit, is the suit not also associated with a form of disguise? Formal style is often perceived as imposed, so we tend to buy obligatory clothes without pleasure, in packs, on sale, only to throw them away and buy them again. In short, a style that is certainly elegant but can become slightly boring over time: a consumable look with a reassuring conformity and little risk-taking.
Casual style has far fewer limits than formal style. Its codes are broader, drawing inspiration from both the music scene and the sporting world. From the traditional colourful polo shirt to the printed sweatshirt, it is a style that allows for plenty of originality, as the idea is to assert a state of mind, to express oneself rather than hide behind a uniform. As influences vary greatly from one culture to another, it can encompass highly comfortable styles, with fleece fabrics or more structured trousers. It is rarely perceived as refined and faces the same sustainability issues. How many T-shirts, rarely worn, have you bought in recent years?
We have been challenging these issues and preconceptions since the brand was founded. We wanted to bring a fresh perspective. Wearing a shirt should be neither old-fashioned nor overly sophisticated. Nor should it be a distinguishing mark. It should be possible to have a formal look and feel at ease in trainers. It should be possible to be cool and elegant in a suit, to wear fine, durable clothes without breaking the bank. It should be possible to mix formal and casual style.
Relaxed formality and refined casualwear. We are convinced that formal and casual styles can work wonderfully together, each enhancing the other. The sometimes rather austere side of a grey suit can be softened by a knitted tie or a shirt made from a more casual fabric, far removed from the highly sophisticated poplin and herringbone. The idea is to introduce a piece with a certain character into a relatively codified outfit. For example, pairing fine leather shoes with a truly casual outfit adds an interesting, original twist without overdoing it.
What comes up most often is the search for highly versatile pieces that can be worn in quite different settings
While mixing styles is not a new concept, until then it had remained outside the professional sphere (even if it is just as rare to wear a suit to have a drink with friends, except among sapeurs!). We have seen the gradual change, notably among tech players represented by Facebook and Google, where casual, almost adolescent outfits are commonplace. From our first plain poplin dress shirts to our work jackets, we have come a long way in 7 years, adapting as closely as possible to increasingly diverse needs.
We first developed a casual collection, with a style very different from our business collection. We began to take an interest in increasingly sophisticated fabrics, notably Japanese and Italian fabrics, with distinctive qualities that make all the difference. As our research progressed, we met craftspeople and workshops specialising in wool, jackets and trousers.
But the most significant change has taken place in our vision of the ideal men's wardrobe, with the development of relaxed formal pieces that take you from a round-table meeting to the bar without drawing attention.
(In)formal attire required. More and more of you are sharing feedback, requests and specific comments with us (thank you!). What comes up most often is the search for highly versatile pieces that can be worn in quite different settings. Behind this desire lies the idea of consuming less, but better, by choosing more considered, perfectly cut pieces that adapt to your often varied lifestyle. So we launched our first shirts halfway between formal and casual… and this confirmed the trend: many of you appreciated them!
For those who have not guessed: we are indeed talking about our classic-fit, slightly fitted shirts, made from textured fabrics such as linen and lightweight cotton, fine and comfortable flannel... The ideal pieces for moving from the office to evenings with friends. With a band collar or concealed buttons, timeless and elegant.
A few days ago, we also launched wool flannel jackets, with the same vision of relaxed formality: refined yet easy to wear. Fabrics slightly heavier than those of classic suit jackets, with a structured cut that is not overly sophisticated, they work equally well with a poplin shirt and silk tie or a fine merino wool jumper.
Because we do things properly, we imagined three pairs of trousers in the same high-end flannels as our jackets (did we mention Vitale Barberis Canonico and Angelico?). Worn with our jackets to create a very elegant ensemble, or with fine trainers and a blouson jacket for a casual-chic style.
A few days ago, we also launched wool flannel jackets, with the same vision of relaxed formality: refined yet easy to wear. Fabrics slightly heavier than those of classic suit jackets, with a structured cut that is not overly sophisticated, they work equally well with a poplin shirt and silk tie or a fine merino wool jumper.
Because we do things properly, we imagined three pairs of trousers in the same high-end flannels as our jackets (did we mention Vitale Barberis Canonico and Angelico?). Once again, worn with our jackets, they create a very elegant ensemble, or on their own with trainers and a blouson jacket for a casual-chic style.
You can imagine wearing a flannel jacket with jeans and a fine merino wool jumper, a dress shirt with chinos, a bomber jacket and a pair of trainers. Dare, experiment, be bold! Every mistake is a lesson that will forge your style in a unique way.
You can combine our garments to create looks whose refinement and ease leave no room for misunderstanding. Imagine wearing a flannel jacket with jeans and a fine merino wool jumper, a dress shirt with chinos, or a work jacket without working. Dare, experiment, be honest and bold!
Quality, high-end, durable clothing at fair prices.
Learn the codes in order to reinvent them and make them your own. Your style is the first thing you present to the world, so it should reflect who you are, your values and the message you wish to convey. Mixing genres and clothing styles offers endless possibilities that would be a shame to miss out on!
Our mission is to offer you essential garments from the world of formalwear, adapted to our times, which you can keep for a long time, wear with pride and mix as you please!
