Just recently, I ventured out in a t-shirt on a Thursday night.
After a movie and a few non-alcohol-inducing virgin mojitos, an unpleasant sensation came over my arms on the way home by bike.
"Damn , I think it's cold."
I take out my phone, and three taps later, I find myself in front of my weather app, which displays eleven degrees.
If the thermal descent is still in its early stages , this anecdote however reminded me that summer is not eternal, and that the linen shorts festival is coming to an end.
And since I don't tell you about my life without reason, you can imagine that my selection of the month has been somewhat influenced by it: there will be flannel and wool knitwear.
Well, I admit that I still fell for a third piece that goes beyond the "first fights against the white walkers" theme. But it will have its place in a winter and mid-season wardrobe.
Pleated flannel trousers - 13 Bonaparte
Why this brand?
13 Bonaparte is a very recent discovery for me. To tell you the truth, I came across it completely by chance while browsing Instagram.
My eye quickly lingered on the sophisticated design of certain pieces, which I found original, accurate and in good taste.
13 Bonaparte is about rather minimalist silhouettes, with clothes with a designer spirit. It is sometimes daring, but creativity is there and the brand has a real personality. Between redesigned basics and bold strong pieces, everyone will find what they like.
The brand has created a world of its own, with "signature" details like the collar of this shirt for example.
The brand was founded in 2011, in Paris. The intention of its founder David Sarfati: to offer a sustainable wardrobe that is not punctuated by seasonal collections, composed of mostly permanent pieces that he improves over time. An offer also punctuated by a few ephemeral pieces to meet the demands of the climate in summer or winter.
The search for functionality is also a dominant feature in the brand's offering: we come across well-designed pockets, ripstop fabrics, tencel/merino blends, etc.
The clothes are all made in Europe. They can be found in the 13 Bonaparte boutique in Paris or on its e-shop.
Why this piece?
Basic doesn't always mean boring.
I was looking for a pair of flannel pants. Since I wanted a simple, versatile color with a minimal style, my find had to focus on the details to stand out.
That's good, because it's precisely on the sense of detail that 13 Bonaparte is banking on to revisit its basics.
And what I like is that the brand has sought out codes at both ends of men's clothing: a tailored piece enhanced with a sportswear detail, the elasticated half-waist.
No belt loops, but two-button tightening tabs on the sides. A practical and aesthetic detail that is also welcome.
With the carrot cut, it gives a more casual dimension to the piece and makes it much more original. The two clips at the front, meanwhile, structure the whole thing nicely.
As for the desired versatility, it is also there: on a navy blue base, there is plenty of room to have fun with the colors.
Proof of this is an orange t-shirt that can be expressed freely and without disgrace.
Finding its singularity in the details, these pants remain a relatively sober garment that can lend itself to mixing styles: I see them worn with sneakers, boots, a shirt or why not a deconstructed jacket.
There will be no shortage of opportunities to strut around in it this winter. And it's this universality that I was looking for.
A Shetland wool sweater - Mr. Porter
Why this brand?
We have already often spoken to you about Mr. Porter as a multi-brand e-shop with a very wide and varied selection.
Here, it is about his clothing brand cap that I am going to talk to you.
For some time now, the distributor has launched Mr. P , with the idea of offering collections of timeless and durable basics.
In its fall-winter 2019 collection, the brand offers good basics to provide your wardrobe with a solid base. But there are also models with a more daring design, focusing on cuts, colors and patterns that allow you to effectively enhance the style of an outfit.
It's the classics that I particularly like from Mr. P., because for me they are sure values and well executed.
Why this piece?
What I liked about this sweater was simply its texture and its orange tones.
This somewhat robust appearance is characteristic of Shetland wool.
I love the raw side that the Shetland wool gives to this knit, and the different orange shades that it takes on give it, in my opinion, a lot of charm.
It gives it roughness, it's beautiful, it's irregular, it's everything I like in a sweater.
Its color is not too bright, and is delicately close to brown. With raw jeans, white pants or beige chinos, it will therefore blend harmoniously, without too many constraints.
Here, with DAO raw jeans and Gant derbies.
But for me it remains a color which, on an outfit, dominates the eye, seduces, and always deserves a compliment.
Made in Italy, its rather thick knit will accompany me during all my cold weeks, and will not fail to brighten up my grayest days a little.
It didn't take me any longer to slip it into my basket of nuggets this month.
A denim popover shirt - Pini Parma
Why this brand?
At BonneGueule, we have been intrigued for a while by Pini Parma and the aesthetics of its products which speak to us a lot.
It must be said that its offering exudes Italian elegance: beautiful Neapolitan jackets, well-cut Italian collar shirts, pleated and high-waisted trousers, and many other things that we love on the other side of the Alps.
In short, it’s beautiful, it’s good for the eyes and for morale.
If you want to dress for Pitti Uomo, you've come to the right place.
100% Italian, the manufacturing seems to us to be of good quality and the product pages are well informed.
For the moment, Pini Parma can be found on its e-shop and in its boutique in Paris.
Why this piece?
Well first of all: it's a popover shirt. A piece that had been tickling my curiosity for months, and for which I finally fell.
I see it as a very good alternative to the ordinary buttoned models, its collar bringing novelty to my wardrobe full of classic shirts.
But if I'm going to wait all this time, I might as well not rush into just any one.
I needed not a popover, but MY popover. The only one in my wardrobe that I could wear in both a sartorial and casual style.
And what could be better than a beautiful light blue denim to temper the tailored dimension of this shirt, and thus make it more user-friendly with the great stylistic differences.
Here I opt for the 13 Bonaparte pants and suede derbies, but with sneakers, chinos, a tailored jacket, a windbreaker... the possibilities are endless!
I also find another important point that I expect in a shirt: a well-executed cut, which knows how to highlight a build.
It follows the lines correctly, but still seems to leave enough room for movement. And to be able to pass it.
Because let's not forget, to have the honor of wearing a popover shirt, you have to earn it by mastering the art of putting it on!
