MAN FRIDAY MUCH MORE THAN A BRETON
As France celebrates its new president, Sophie Warburton tracks down the brands that help their men look so chic…
All eyes have been on Monsieur Macron this week – not just for his landslide victory, but also his sharp attire. So as the new presidential pin-up prepares to settle into the Élysée Palace, we thought it only right to use the opportunity to survey some of the best French menswear brands around.
Ami
A favourite here at the Telegraph, Ami Paris successfully straddles the line between style and substance. The brand was established on the principles of creating a wardrobe anchored in the kinds of pieces that founder Alexandre Mattiussi and his friends like to wear. The result is well-cut, stylish classics aimed at the natty – not nutty – dresser.
Le Chameau
France’s answer to Hunter Boots, Le Chameau is grounded in the country sports world, steering clear of the dreaded “festival dressing” camp. A favourite among royalty, pop stars and supermodels, Le Chameau is the grande fromage of the wellington world.
Officine Generale
Pierre Mahéo, founder of Officine Generale, is proud to manufacture everything in Europe; that way he has total control over the collections. And when your label is so focused on fit and fabric, control is everything. While the pieces may not shout “FASHION”, they are exactly the sort of clothes you want to wear.
APC
APC, a stalwart of French streetwear, has become synonymous with Left Bank style. Understated, unbranded and eternally cool, APC offers a masterclass in je ne sais quoi dressing.
Maison Kitsuné
More of a lifestyle brand, Maison Kitsuné offers not only clothing but also music (one of the co-founders is a former manager of the French electronic music duo Daft Punk) and now they are the proud proprietors of Café Kitsuné, too. With casual daywear for the colourful dresser, their slogan jumpers and logo tees will become weekend wardrobe staples.
Vetra
If you’ve ever holidayed in regional France, you will be familiar with Vetra. Coming up to its 100th anniversary, the iconic brand, whose name is an abbreviation of Vêtements de Travail (as in workwear), has been creating jackets for workers, farmers and the French army for almost a century. In recent years its iconic workers’ jacket has been hijacked by hipsters and, along with Barbour and Blundstone, is a must-have in heritage chic.