It's decided, I declare war on winter. The older I get, the less I tolerate the cold. The older I get, the more I want to enjoy the moment, as Benoît recommends. So let's focus on three anti-cold nuggets.
Relaxed pants navy stripes Jinji Brand
Why this brand?
Neighboring our address on rue Madame , the Jinji boutique (22 rue des Canettes, Paris 6) is well known at BonneGueule. And for good reason, for any fan of clothing, especially Japanese, it's a bit like Ali Baba's cave. In 2018, Jinji launched its own brand Jinji Brand, partnering with supplier Shuttle Notes, a reference in textiles in Japan. Unsurprisingly, these pieces have everything to make us fall in love.
Why this room?
Before arriving at BonneGueule, when it came to pants, I was almost in a monoculture, a lot of jeans and rarely cargo pants. Since my BonneGueule seersucker pants came into my life, then the Reda joggers , always BonneGueule, confirming that it was a shame to confine ourselves to jeans.
My chakras now being open, while surfing the Jinji website, these relax pants immediately appealed to me. With its relaxed cut, neither too much nor too little. By the texture which appears very thick in the photos. By its sober navy color, enhanced by these small discreet lines (these pants are also available in Prince of Wales).
You have to get a little closer to see the stripes.
It remains to confirm this feeling in reality. Head to the boutique in the 6th arrondissement of Paris for a fitting. My first impressions are immediately confirmed.
I like the cut, designed by Julien, founder of Jinji. The 48% wool, 52% cotton composition is warm as it should be (but it's a little itchy). It's 100% made in Japan (by Shuttle Notes), no complaints about the finishes, which are particularly neat, as with many Japanese pieces.
A little rolling and presto I would be ready to leave with it, only my (authorized) overdraft keeps me from breaking down.
FYI, a jacket and a shirt are available with the same fabric.
Madson Moc Toe Sorel Shoes
Why this brand?
Sorel, a Canadian brand created in 1907 and recently purchased by Columbia, is often cited in our articles, whenever it comes to cold, or even extreme cold. For this brand's shoes, function often takes precedence over style, which did not prevent its boots from being adopted by many stars across the Atlantic in the early 2000s.
In fact, they are actually more suitable at the top of Mont Tremblant (in Quebec) than at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. On the other hand, with Sorel, you can be sure of having sturdy shoes that will keep your feet warm and dry.
Why this room?
For my part, this choice resembles a rebellion. Benoît writes in this article that buying Sorel shoes in Paris is overkill. Well yes I live in Paris and I recommend Sorel. And better yet, they are ordered, I will get back to you upon receipt. No question of having cold, wet or even damp feet.
My choice fell on Madson Moc Toe. Above all, I like this workwear design which I can easily wear with jeans and my new BonneGueule x Kuro parka.
If they are not as water resistant as the technical sheet suggests (“waterproof nubuck leather upper and waterproof seams”), reading this test convinced me that they were the best compromise of efficiency, style and comfort. As for socks, to deal with the cold, on Benoît's advice, I'm going to opt for the Sympa Bonnard brand.
Nanamica mohair-down scarf
Why this brand?
When I see that Benoît needs a pick-me-up, I say Nanamica and immediately his face lights up as he appreciates this brand (it also scores with Acronym ). If he loves Nanamica so much it’s for “this perfect mix between outdoor, streetwear and colors. It is the quintessence of Japanese style”. QED.
Why this room?
In my fight against the cold, protecting my neck is central to me, much more than my head or ears. So when I saw this Nanamica scarf, also at Jinji, I was drawn to it. First of all, by the yellow color and the texture of its wool/mohair blend, as soft as can be. Then, it is incredibly light and promises to be devilishly efficient in terms of warmth thanks to its Kodenshi down, including ceramic particles. On the other hand, it takes up a little space around the neck, giving a bit of a feeling of suffocation. But it's just a feeling.
This scarf is also available in blue, but my preference is yellow.
