Men's Fashion blog by French Truckers


Canal Saint-Martin

by Romano as "the garagerocker" in Looks (on January 25, 2012)

Today I am taking you for a ride at the Canal Saint Martin. For those who would not know, this canal from the 19th century is 9km-long. The canal was originally used to carry drinking water from The Vilette Basin to the Port de l’Arsenal (a Leisure port). It flows through the 10th and 11th arrondissements featuring many bridges, locks and bars! I went for a walk with a seasonal outfit: a pair of bots, jeans, chambray shirt, woolen crewneck and a trench. First cigarette break, then a second for a beer in a bar while the night quickly fell…

Hat: Stetson
Trench: Hèdus
Shirt: Balibaris
Crewneck: Mélinda Gloss
Gloves: Forzieri
Bag: L’Aiglon
Belt: L’Aiglon
Jeans: Trousers London
Boots: Septième Largeur

Photos: Léo Seyes. Thanks : the bar Prune de Nuit.

Who’s Next winter 2012: accessories

by Romano as "the garagerocker" in Selected (on January 23, 2012)

Today we focused on acessories. We came to see what was up from Cuisse de Grenouille, a French acessory brand: nice ties, nice belts, and for the fist time a promising collection of shirts (japanese coton) and bags! We discovered a young brand called Léon Flam, who creates “Made in France” bags inspired from one of the creators’ grandfather design. Among other daily discoveries: Dagobear’s nice underpants/socks boxes, a new multicolor semainier (socks for each day of the week) from Ohmysocks (who also presented its first ready to wear collection during the show), a new range of socks from Les Insurgés (matching their underwear), and some new quirky colors to be released from Veja. To sum this up, authentism, chic and many colors for eccentric Dandys.

Who’s Next winter 2012: ready to wear

by Romano as "the garagerocker" in Selected (on January 22, 2012)

Second day at the Who’s Next. Yesterday night was full of twists and turns, then we slowly started our walk around ready to wear brands today (after drinking one two few coffees…). One could not notice a real new big trend for AW12 but a come back to authentic pieces (which is already effective). Halfway between the “Bristish Gentleman” and “Vieille France” outfits: tweed blazers, heavy knits and checked shirts will be under the spotlight. Those would be matching lots of colored chinos and brogues derbies. As for our hiking boots, we would use those heavy chinos again and chambray shirts coming in many colors, patterns and highly customized with nice details. The hiker-lumberjack look’s masterpiece, either a peacoat or a fight jacket, would often feature a furry collar, or we could still keep our parka…

Who’s next winter 2012: shoes

by Romano as "the garagerocker" in Selected (on January 21, 2012)

Here we go! 4 days at the Who’s next tradeshow. Today, we have focused ourselves on shoes, and we quickly noticed that hiking shapes are going to be a key trend of next winter. Same for lined shoes either declined in sneakers or boots. As for the fabrics, lots of brands are proposing a mix of plain and suede leather and plenty models using Harris Tweed (will those Scottish sheeps have enough wool to supply the demand?). We like: classic shapes lightened by colorful soles and laces. A last note with the olive green found from many brands.

The Hill Side wool scarf

by Romano as "the garagerocker" in Selected (on January 20, 2012)

I confess being partial for The Hill Side’s products. Firstly because they are making their products by hand in New-York, caring for fabrics and paying great attention to detail. Secondly because to me, they are the basis of a new subtrend derived from workwear, consisting in demystifying formal accessories such a ties or pocket squares tahnks to the use of modern materials like chambray. Anyway, I had spotted this scarf for a long time, and this is actually the first item I bought during the winter sales.

The Hill-Side did an excellent job with this scarf, my scarf. Details are fine, and its flecked indigo color renders a very particular way. Actually, this comes from the use of a special fabric they call “Wool Blend Jersy Knit Slub Tweed” (that’s quite a long name!), which means 65% wool, 29% polyester, 3% nylon, 3% acrylic. My feeling is: I am wearing a unique item, thick and fine at the same time, well finished and stylish as ever (ok, this latter is totally sujective)!

$110 from Need Supply

Folk Coat

by Romano as "the garagerocker" in Selected (on January 19, 2012)

It has been a while that I have been looking for a winter coat, I finally found something suiting my tastes from Folk. A brand we’ve been following for quite a long time and which quality is more than reliable, undoubtedly a sure bet! My demands were simple: 1- a warm coat for winter. 2- a peacoat. 3- must suit my style. 4- budget of about £210. All my conditions were met, then I took the plunge!

First thing, the coat is 70% wool made, a thick wool coming from Italy. Enough to keep my body warm from Mistral (name of a cold wind from the South of France) storms. Here we can talk about a peacoat because of the length and the double breasts. The main difference with a classic peacoat may be the shawl collar here, this is precisely what caught my attention.

Additional details also appealed me much: the color palette first, with the use of brown (buttons, pocket buckles) contrasting the dominant navy, and such original pockets which fastening straps are made of vegatally tanned leather.

Once on your shoulders, the coat suits all expectations : warmness, good cut (though a bit too straight) and an awesome style. One could think puting you hands in the pockets might be annoying. It is true at the beginning, but your hands quickly get used to slip through the pocket straps (even fastened there’s enought space). Tested and approved!

£219 (£365)from Woodhouse

Norse Projects Crewneck

by Romano as "the garagerocker" in Selected (on January 17, 2012)

Long time no talk (I have been quite busy with the French sales these times)! Third item I have bought during the winter sales is this crewneck knit from Norse Projects. What’s cool with Yoox is: they always propose nice stuff you have missed from past seasons. The only trick is to dig the site, searching regurlarly from brands you like, and Norse Projects is one of them.

This 100% heavy wool made crewneck is woven in Italy and it features a “Nordic” pattern. It actually comes from their AW10 collection. I was looking for a light color to contrast with the rest of my outfit. The sweater’s white color suits this description and its navy pattern is echoed on my Bleu de Paname trousers. Thick and stylish, now you can guess how happy I am.

£65 (£98) from Yoox

Bleu de Paname trousers

by Romano as "the garagerocker" in Selected (on January 9, 2012)

The following piece is my second sales pick. I have been watching these trousers from Bleu de Paname for a long time. “BDP” as we call it, is a brand we like to quote in our French Truck. Because this is the kind of brand that has a lot of creativity, a real indentity a top quality products all crafted in France. I finally “caught” their Fatigue trousers at End:

These Fatigue Pants are inspired from military trousers featuring two large front pockets and also large buttoned flap pockets from the back. Fabric is cross cotton twill with wood buttons. Cut is loose with a slim tapered leg and the waist has two adjustment tabs. Again, they are 100% made in france. I am very happy with this purchase, they must have been a sure bet! And they are, matching greately my new pair of Veja Indigenos (I wear them rolled up, fitpics are to come).

£55 (£95) from Endclothing

(I’ll try to find some remaining sizes somewhere else. Till then you can check from some of our French Shops)

Veja Indigenos High Camel

by Romano as "the garagerocker" in Selected (on January 5, 2012)

From today, I am going to show you guys my purchases since the begining of the winter sales. There is a complete outfit starting with this pair of Veja.

It comes from the Indigenos collection resleased for AW10. I have picked the camel high version. Althought it might look a bit orange, their real color is tan. As you may know from our previous articles about Veja, their shoes are 100% organic. That is why they come without eyelets (because Veja cannot find an organic metal, so better worth not using some).

The Indigenos have a vegetable-tanned suede leather upper and a wild Amazonian rubber sole. I really like those details on the heels: a plain leather band in a contrasting brown also echoed on the tongue. One thing I like about Veja is: you do not have to wear them x times to feel comfortable during a whole day. You can even run a marathon as soon as you wear them the first time if you feel like. Theiy are both beautiful and comfortable and they match my navy trousers greately (I will introduce it you tomorow :x).

£90 from Coggles (I am not cheating you, they really were on sales when I bought them!)

Oybo Socks

by Romano as "the garagerocker" in Selected (on January 4, 2012)

Because every trucker of you must like wearing some soft socks, I have recently tested a young brand called Oybo, and I can tell how comfy their socks are! Oybo is about a group of friends who started creating socks for themselves. They modestly loved doing it, as they decided to start sharing their creations to the others.

Oybo’s products are imbued with good feelings actually carried by the creators. I have tested the “Active End” model. These are mid-lenght socks coming in a very cool striped pattern. All of their products are designed and manufactured in Italy with a 95% cotton + 5% elastan construction which guarantees the socks stretchness. Colorful, fine and warm at the same time, comfy, and very soft… isn’t it what all socks should be about? Tested and approved!

€16 from Oybo