Meet L’Estrange London, the London label committed to decluttering wardrobes and reinventing menswear’s foundational garments. Since 2013, the brand has been on a mission to empower men to do more with less. Think timeless, versatile pieces of superior quality. The idea is to reduce the need for conveyor-belt consumption while streamlining your style in the process.
It began with the belief that fashion needed a radical shakeup. Founders Will and Tim could see that people were buying to throw away and the cyclical nature of the industry encouraged them to do so.
The pair’s first design set out to address the issue. The Hood is an elevated spin on the classic hoodie, designed to bridge the gap between smart and sofa with its premium construction and tailored fit. It was a hit, securing L’Estrange space on the rails of some of the world’s most respected and exclusive retailers, including Paris’ now defunct but always iconic concept store Colette, and influential Japanese store Isetan.
So, what makes L’Estrange London different?
Simplifying The Male Wardrobe
Modern life is chaotic enough without having to lose time putting outfits together. That’s why L’Estrange London offers a curated collection of clothing that takes the hassle out of looking good.
Everything in the L’Estrange London wardrobe is carefully designed to work in concert, with a muted palette that flatters everyone. Mix and match to your heart’s content and you’ll never come across a combination that doesn’t work. But L’Estrange London’s approach to menswear doesn’t just simplify getting ready, it also streamlines your wardrobe itself.
These garments are simple and adaptable. They cover all bases, the idea being: why have five outfits for five different situations when you can have one that’s right at home in all of them?
Championing Circularity
The textile industry produces 100 billion units a year, most of which are destined for landfill or an incinerator. L’Estrange London doesn’t subscribe to this disposable mindset, choosing instead to make high-quality pieces that are built to last and investing in recycled and renewable materials.
In fact, L’Estrange London’s wardrobe is produced exclusively with recycled and renewable materials, including organic cotton, recycled nylon and Kapok – a natural fibre extracted from the Kapok tree, which uses no chemicals to grow and can save 3,000 litres of water per kg compared to cotton.
There’s also a one-year guarantee on all items, and L’Estrange London endeavours to repair any item after that point.
See For Yourself
It’s all well and good saying this stuff, but don’t take it from us. L’Estrange London boasts two brick-and-mortar locations in London where you can check out the clothes in the flesh. There, you can request an appointment to learn about the signature range and get advice on sizing and styling.
Alternatively, book an appointment at the L’Estrange London website. Otherwise, head down to the Covent Garden or Notting Hill locations for a browse and a chat with the expert team.
The Collection
L’Estrange London’s tightly curated selection of upscale basics includes everything you need to build a stylish capsule wardrobe. It’s all great, but below are a few of the items we feel the label does particularly well.
Trousers
The 24 Trouser is L’Estrange London’s do-it-all legwear. We’d describe it as somewhere between a jogger, a chino and a tailored pant. It features an elasticated waist with a concealed drawstring for adjustment, but also has a clip and button fastening to the front, as you might find on a pair of dress trousers.
The versatile contemporary fit spans works and weekend outfits, and there are several fabric options, including classic cotton, heavyweight, linen and wool. Truly a trouser for all seasons and occasions.
Shirts
A simple Oxford shirt is one of menswear’s true essentials. The L’Estrange London version, dubbed the All Day Shirt, is made with premium Italian cotton with a loose weave to make it lighter than traditional Oxfords. It’s also available in linen for the warmer months, both with a collar and without.
Sweats & Hoods
The Hood is where it all began for L’Estrange London and it’s still at the heart of the brand’s collection. It’s a zip-through design with a high-shine two-way zipper and comes fully lined for increased comfort. The level of detail is reminiscent of a tailored jacket.
It’s not often we’d suggest pairing a hoodie with dress pants, but in this case we have no hesitation. That said, there’s not much it won’t work with, from weekend casualwear to sweatpants and sneakers.
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