The (summer) nuggets of the editorial team #16 – Michel

It's true, after this wet and cool weekend, we don't necessarily have the reflex to think about the shorts we're going to get this summer.

However, the brief glimpse of sunshine that we were recently treated to quickly influenced my wanderings from e-shop to e-shop.

And I can't resist the urge to present to you some favorites that I can already see myself wearing on the beach, when I build my Japanese temples in sand.

After all, the warm season is just around the corner, and it seems that the future belongs to those who equip themselves early.

On the program: seasoned linen, striped Japanese fabric, and a jacket that exudes lightness .

Backstage Pant ABCL Garments

Not easy to tame at first, but I'm sure we'll both get along eventually.

Why this brand?

Halfway between Japanese materials and Italian finishes, ABCL Garments offers an ideal casual wardrobe shape. Love at first sight for the team which was detailed to you last year, and which quickly infected me at the sight of these raw materials with their unique grain.

Mixed with the Italian sartorial spirit, they give rise to pieces that you won't come across elsewhere, with perfectly proportioned cuts.

Why this room?

And it's this work on the cuts that attracted me to the brand's e-shop. There I rediscovered my taste for loose, short pants, which give a stylish and slender silhouette.

So it's this carrot cut piece that I fell for, its patterns having brought the coup de grace to my heart.

If you find yourself hesitating between your herringbone pants and your striped ones in the morning, ABCL has found the solution.

Whatever definition one can give of a strong piece, I think it is one. And a strong piece, when the temperatures limit you to a single layer of clothing, is very useful.

To enjoy summer without falling into the monotony of a shorts/t-shirt combination, I will opt for the lightness of this linen twill with a unique appearance. With a blue shirt or t-shirt loose enough to let air pass through, this little wonder will allow me to face the rising temperatures with marked style.

And style is not what these pants are lacking: this alternation of blue, white, and beige chevrons that play on the waist of the bands, you won't come across it on other striped pants. As for the blue chevron strip, we find there the roughness of Japanese fabrics that we appreciate so much.

Doesn't this irregular grain that we can see on the blue bands remind you of that of a good old Japanese chambray?

In short, it's a piece that I can see myself taking out as a joker in the morning to obtain an effective outfit without worrying or waiting for my eyes to finish ungluing.

The only restraint to have with these pants is when wearing them with a white t-shirt: the emphasis on the stripes would be too strong in my opinion. This is why I would recommend that you tone them down with a navy blue, sky blue, or even camel top if the shades are suitable.

Valstar water-repellent linen A-1 jacket

Yes, you read “water-repellent linen” correctly.

Why this brand?

Valstar is the beer of the stars , a brand of British origin steeped in history: it began by making high-end rainwear under the name "English Fashion Waterproof" at the beginning of the 20th century, to be then taken over in Milan under its current name.

It is inspired by the A-1, a military jacket of the US Air Force of the time , that Valstar launched its Best-Seller in 1935: the iconic Valstarino, incorporating the collar, ribbed edges and pockets of the A-1 with a softer, often suede leather.

Here is the military ancestor of the nugget that I am presenting to you today: the A-1 flight jacket. If you want to know more about these American air force jackets, Heddels detailed the entire lineage in this article where I was able to take this photo.

Why this room?

The Valstarino became Valstar's flagship product, making its reputation and crossing the decades to reach its peak in the 70s and 80s.

From the cockpits of fighter planes to the shoulders of students, this legend has traveled well. (Photo credit: A Continuous Lean ).

Now more akin to the Italian lifestyle than to American army pilots, it has since been revisited in various colors and leather variations.

Here is its most common version, in suede leather.

I think we are right here in the definition of timeless: Valstarino is the mid-season leather that you pass on to your grandchildren.

But who said you couldn't also pretend to be an American pilot in the middle of August? Our summer barbecue evenings at the leisure center, Valstar has also thought of it with this summer edition of Valstarino.

So I'm counting on this piece in 100% unlined linen fabric to keep me cool this season.

Beyond this iconic cut which knows how to highlight a silhouette with precision, I particularly appreciate the relief of its material: observe in the photo how certain white threads stand out from the others by their thickness, to give rise to a seductive "raw" effect .

As for this bright brown color, it will fit perfectly with a multitude of shades of "neutral" tones: white, ecru, off-white, dark brown... You can already see me coming with white pants, an emblematic piece for sunny days !

And its price doesn't scare me , because this brand has always stood out for the quality of its products, even when it made rain coats during its previous life.

Seams, buttons, ribbed edges... you can trust Valstar's finishes.

And this quality is not the only one reminiscent of the brand's beginnings, since it is rainproof linen!

A water-repellent fabric from Loro Piana called "Rain & Wind System".

With this future centerpiece of my summer wardrobe, I will be able to forget about my weather app.

And I can see this jacket on a nice shirt with a stand collar, can’t you?

Japanese striped shirt Officine Générale

You will have understood, I like to use stripes to enhance my summer outfits.

Why this brand?

Officine Générale is a complete high-end wardrobe, well-chosen raw materials, and a very Parisian style which exudes a singular phlegm. We really appreciate this style which inspires elegance and relaxation, without ever falling very far from the tailoring spirit.

Officine Générale clothing is often in very good taste, and the quality is there.

Why this room?

With blue, ecru, olive, light gray... this white frame will not lack versatility to construct relevant outfits.

Above all, it was the work of the stripes that made me click on this marvel: two consecutive blue lines, one of which is directly woven into the twill of the shirt, while the other comes alongside the latter to add color. relief.

A real treat for the eyes.

I find that this alternation of blues goes perfectly well with the textured white twill of the piece. Which gives rise to a luminous result that adapts perfectly to the season.

Finally, its officer collar will be a casual alternative to the other classic collars in my wardrobe.