From Paris to Brittany: 5 French Pieces

France has made a significant mark on the history of menswear, from Parisian fashion houses to Brittany's sailor garments and Limoges' long tradition of shoe manufacturing signed by J.M. Weston. Here, we gather five French brands with selected pieces that have shaped the modern wardrobe in various ways, ranging from polo shirts to classic loafers.

A.P.C. - the French modern basics

A.P.C. was founded in Paris in 1987 by Jean Touitou as a reaction against the flamboyant fashion of the 80s. The result was a more down-to-earth interpretation of clothing and style, where simple essentials and raw denim jeans took center stage.

The name is an abbreviation of Atelier de Production et de Création, reflecting the idea that production and the creative process are equally important. The stripped-back aesthetic has followed the brand since its inception, featuring clean silhouettes, muted colors, and garments designed to last in the wardrobe. Not least, the brand’s jeans in Japanese raw denim have become something of an A.P.C. signature.

Lacoste - the crocodile that left the tennis court

The tennis shirt with the green crocodile emblem is hard to miss. The crocodile as a logo is the result of a wager between tennis legend René Lacoste and the captain of the French Davis Cup team in 1923; if René won an important match, he would receive a suitcase made of crocodile skin.

The story was rewritten in the American press, which gave him the nickname "The Crocodile." The audience embraced the nickname, and in 1927, René Lacoste's friend Robert George designed the crocodile that was later embroidered on his blazer. A few years later, in 1933, Lacoste founded his brand together with André Gillier, and the classic polo shirt in petit piqué eventually became a style marker far beyond the tennis court.

Armor Lux - Brittany in Stripes

Classic French maritime design from the province of Brittany. Armor-Lux was founded in 1938 in Quimper and has since made the Breton sailor wardrobe its specialty.

Here you'll find the striped marinière, sailor knits, and robust outerwear with clear connections to life along the French Atlantic coast. The marinière itself predates the brand and became part of the French navy's uniform as early as 1858. At Armor-Lux, this tradition continues today: the classic striped sweaters are still knitted in the company's workshops in Quimper. A great example of how a garment with a strictly functional origin can become a lasting part of French style history. And not least our favorite: the white Callac t-shirt that has emerged in our Crafted with Care collection.

J.M. Weston – new addition to the store

New addition to the store, but old in the game, 1891 to be precise. J.M. Weston is one of France's most renowned shoe brands and has its origins in Limoges, where the shoemaking still takes place today.

The brand's perhaps most famous model is the loafer 180 from 1946. This model was created after several years of development and, with its classic proportions, has become something of an archetype for the French loafer. Behind the polished surface lies extensive craftsmanship: J.M. Weston continues to manufacture its shoes in its own factory in Limoges and works with traditional constructions and a large number of manual processes. French shoemaking tradition, simply put.

Lanvin - design innovations from the heart of Paris

Lanvin was founded as early as 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin and is today considered one of the oldest still-operating fashion houses in France.

The story began with a small hat shop in Paris, but soon took a new direction when Jeanne Lanvin started creating clothes for her daughter Marguerite. The garments caught the attention of her customers and laid the foundation for a fashion house that would eventually encompass both women's and men's fashion, as well as accessories and perfume. More than 130 years later, Lanvin continues to uphold its Parisian heritage, while new creative expressions and design innovations have allowed the house to evolve through generations, with the best-selling Lanvin shoe, Patent Cap Toe, making a significant impact on us.

The French Look

How can you combine French brands for the perfect look? Here, we have selected pieces that together set the tone for a France-inspired wardrobe this autumn.