As a reminder, éclectic offers an interesting and quite unique offering : tailored pieces, impeccably made, in very beautiful wools, but always with an unsuspected technicality (water-repellent, tear-resistant materials, inlaid with fleece, thermo-regulating linings, etc.).
More precisely, and to refresh your memory, the jackets are all canvassed in the traditional way (in good old horsehair) in an Italian workshop.
Thus, the buttonholes on the sleeves are open, and the first buttonhole on the front of the jacket is made by hand. The metal buttons, characteristic of the brand, are melted exclusively for éclectic in Jura. Franck, the creator, went very far in his requirements.
Technical materials and traditional interlinings: the question of price
We're not going to lie, all these pieces, and this concentration of sartorial culture, have a price: the jackets are between €600 and €700. But in hindsight, I find it to be excellent value for money .
Let me explain: when I see that Sandro sells a very simple jacket for more than €450, when I see Acne which regularly approaches €600 on its jackets with an ordinary gray wool, I tell myself that you only have to add a hundred euros at éclectic to suddenly move up to a radically different quality range : you thus have a canvas jacket (therefore very comfortable), in limited series, with unique and exclusive technical material, with a cut with a scalpel, and coming from a cutting-edge creator (bonus: and super nice).
From a purely value for money point of view, you are a total winner if you are used to paying a certain price for your clothes. I draw the same parallel for the Husbands brand. These are clothes that require a budget, I am well aware of that, but more than ever you will get what you pay for. Because you will no longer be in high-end, as I usually understand, but in real quality worthy of (real) luxury.
And as usual, if a major Italian house sold the same item of clothing, we would easily get a jacket for over €1,500...
(yes, I like to understand the price of clothes, it's one of my stubborn habits)
Now let's review some of the current collection! Indeed, Franck, the designer, wanted to show that his jackets can be added to various styles, and he therefore organized a shooting with the entire BonneGueule team and its pieces (and the photographic talents of Nils Herrmann).
The eclectic brand seen by the team
Luca and the country jacket
Luca is wearing the "Country Jacket" (650 euros) in technical wool knit, with a fleece interior (a combination of materials used for ski clothing).
It's a jacket that keeps you really warm, which is also windproof, water-repellent and breathable. He could totally go skiing with it! The two materials are literally woven together, it's pretty crazy, I encourage you to take a look if you're in the neighborhood.
Note that it has 3 buttons, but they are ultimately legitimate, given that to protect yourself from the cold, you have to close your jacket higher than usual. Up close, the material looks like a large gray mesh. Even if it's less my style, some people love this mix of a formal piece with a casual and masculine chunky knit. It is also a piece that would easily fit into a workwear look.
Don't be afraid of this type of light gray, it's very elegant, and easier to wear than you think.
Florian and the khaki blazer shorts
Florian is wearing the (sublime) khaki blazer short (690 euros) in technical wool knit (it's a wool knit woven on a technical membrane). The membrane serves to stiffen the mesh (to give it a structured, very tailored look), and this makes the jacket breathable, water-repellent and insulating.
Note that some wools are completely water-repellent, when they are woven tightly enough, because wool is a material that naturally repels water, unlike cotton which absorbs it.
The cut is short, very fitted, and the armhole is narrow. A real cut for slender bodies! It's a 1-button jacket, a choice that I really like for the slightly casual side it brings.
Also note the original khaki color, but quite everyday , which brings a lot of freshness to a wardrobe composed only of gray and blue jackets. You can easily wear it in an elegant AND casual style.
Geoffrey and the biker jacket
Eclectic blazer, Dany Berd shirt,
Melinda Gloss pants, Heschung rangers.
The brand is also trying its hand at jackets: Geoffrey is wearing the Biker Jacket, cut from a soft woolen cloth (780 euros), which is waterproofed with an antistatic treatment (this prevents hair or dust from catching). And a thermo-regulating micro-fiber lining. All this to say that this allows the jacket to be completely waterproof and breathable.
The jacket cut is worked like a suit jacket, especially at the armhole. It's a piece that will fit perfectly into a manly look with biker influences.
Alexander and the eclectic coat
Zara chinos, Finsbury shoes, Léon Flam bag,
Alexandre is wearing the eclectic coat (940 euros) and the 48h Croix du Sud bag by Léon Flam. Personally, it's one of the rare black pieces that I like.
Concerning the technical side, it is a coat in thick woolen cloth waterproofed with antistatic treatment, long, half-double-breasted and fitted, warm and waterproof. Note how the bending on the sides remains visible even when the jacket is open thanks to the work on the pattern. Small purist detail: carefully observe the top of the shoulder, typically Italian 😉
Finally, remember the length of the coat: it should never fall to your knees: it must stop at the top.
Me in a 3/4 coat
DRKSHDW jeans, Collection Privée ankle boots.
I am wearing the 3/4 coat in technical wool knit (880 euros), it is a traditional wool knit coupled with a second knit, combining wool, cotton, and technical fibers. It also has a half-lining in thermo-regulating micro-fibers (to avoid turning the coat into a steamer when you move a little). In fact, these are the same fibers that you find in sports jerseys, simply the stretch of polyester with a "dog bone" cut, which allows moisture to be evacuated by capillary action.
Moisture diffuses by capillary action, then evaporation.
Once woven .
The feat with this material is that it is thick, with a "spongy" side, but it does not relax at all , which allows you to maintain a very structured side all the time. Without this technical treatment, the coat would not be able to keep its bend open as in the photo, especially for a thick and heavy material like large knit.
Again, this is a piece suitable for those who want an “elegant, but not boring” coat.
Geoffrey in double jersey wool blazer
Melinda Gloss pants, Heschung rangers.
This is a rather unusual piece: Geoffrey is wearing the double wool jersey blazer (650 euros). It’s the brand’s tailored patterning. Its particularity is to have stretch , which makes the jacket very comfortable and flexible, as if you were wearing a cardigan. If you can, really try this piece, the feeling of flexibility is very pleasant (always be open to discovering brands and stores, and try, even if it's not to buy).
Geoffrey and the short velvet blazer
Melinda Gloss pants, Heschung rangers.
Geoff is wearing the fine stretch velvet blazer shorts with 1 button (720 euros).
2% elastane has been integrated into the velvet for greater comfort and a more fitted fit. It's quite an intimidating piece, but one that can easily be worn in the evening. The metallic reflections of the velvet are really very beautiful. For those who like very elegant and original pieces, go for it!
Geoffrey with the soft country jacket
Geoffrey is wearing the Soft Country Jacket (650 euros), it's almost the same as Luca's at the beginning of this article. It is obviously very warm (in fact, it is worn close to the body, like a sweater), and also benefits from the treatment which prevents the large knit from loosening.
Geoffrey with the peacoat
Our opinion on the eclectic brand and its technical materials
Geoff is wearing the peacoat (880 euros) in technical wool and traditional wool on technical fibers (this is a combination initially used for high-mountain clothing), with half-lining in thermo-regulating micro-fibers. This gives us a water-repellent, windproof piece that keeps you warm, but also manages excess perspiration. It's a very beautiful pea coat , well cut, and with a real advantage compared to a simple woolen cloth.
Last thing: Franck and Guillaume at the shop at 8 rue Charlot provide excellent advice (and their website is here , and their Facebook page is here ). Do not hesitate to ask them. They are well aware that male body shapes vary greatly, and Franck makes it a point of honor to always have something to offer depending on your size, whether you are a small 44 to a very sturdy 52. Beyond that, they are always happy to discuss Italian know-how and technical innovations with anyone.
Finally, let's note that Franck has a very specific speech on materials, which goes further than "synthetics are bad". I just want to encourage you to discuss it with him 😉
