"With Less, Do More" L'Estrange London makes its way into cycling
The minimalist, smart-casual London-based brand has launched two cycling pieces
There aren’t many clothing brands that want to produce less. In the end, more products mean more profit, right?
Yet L’Estrange London is what the name stands for; strange, or better put, different. Its motto is similarly emblematic, “With Less, Do More”. It’s an ethic that’s evident in its smart-casual clothing system, which is made up of only eight pieces: one pair of trousers, a shirt, a tee, a zip, a hood, a blazer, a wool coat, and a shell jacket. At the same time, its newest cycling range will offer two items, evolutions of the brand’s best-selling 24 Trouser and 24 Overshirt.
Buy the new L'Estrange London Tech 24 Trouser here and the Tech 24 Overshirt here.
Offering a modular clothing system of versatile pieces that can be worn often and in several different settings, L’Estrange London’s approach has always been simple and functional.
L’Estrange London is what the name stands for; strange, or better put, different. Its motto is similarly emblematic, “With Less, Do More”. It’s an ethic that’s evident in its smart-casual clothing system, which is made up of only eight pieces: one pair of trousers, a shirt, a tee, a zip, a hood, a blazer, a wool coat, and a shell jacket. Offering a modular clothing system of versatile pieces that can be worn often and in several different settings, L’Estrange London’s approach has always been simple and functional.
In this way, it leaves men fewer decisions, letting them focus on what’s important. Not only that, but fewer items also means less impact on the planet, more emphasis on utility, and a break from the fast-fashion logic that pushes for more products every season.
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In 2020, co-founder Tom Horne started to cycle to meet his family on the other side of London. Soon he realised he loved it. This realisation was quickly followed by a second realisation; that he’d need some more technical gear if he were to endure the capital’s moody weather while on his bike. That’s when L’Estrange London decided to take a new path and design two, and only two, specialised cycling pieces.
Their development process involved a number of L’Estrange’s investors and close friends. Now, through their CONCEPTS line project, they’re testing a limited number of pieces with their clients before producing in bulk. This will give insight into how to tailor the new products to consumers’ needs while also reducing waste.
When testing materials to find the best water repellents to withstand the English weather, L’Estrange also discovered most brands use coatings containing perfluorinated compounds (PCFs), which are both harmful and long-lived once released into the environment. So in conjunction with its Italian mill, it sought out a PFC-free and water-based solution that doesn’t use fluorocarbons, which it called Nanilica.
All of this brings us to today, and the launch of L’Estrange’s Tech 24 Trouser and Tech 24 Overshirt, both designed for city cyclists and based on its best-selling smart-casual models.
First the Tech 24 Trouser, which uses the firm’s exclusive Nanilica treatment to keep the rain out. Available in navy and slate grey, these trousers work both on and off the saddle. Thanks to their lightweight stretch cotton, they also offer better movement and flexibility. At the same time, their inner zip it’s a nice touch and fasten the pockets to secure your belongings.
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Somewhere in between a tracksuit bottom for comfort and suit trousers in appearance, we tested them and wore it everywhere from the pub to city cycles. That’s a dream versatility and handled light rain very well, too.
We were also pleasantly surprised at comfort in the saddle too. There was no chafing, no problem with the cuffs rubbing against the chain or chainring either, and no digging in of the waistband into the stomach when riding. It was much more comfortable than riding around town in jeans, and we looked more fashionable too: win, win.
Released alongside the new trousers, the Tech 24 Overshirt is a blend of jacket and shirt that fits both smart-casual and smart settings. It also features the same stretchy cotton materials used on the trousers to make your cycling comfortable and comes with the same two muted colours. Allowing you to match or contrast the two items, in keeping with the brand’s simplified styling, either makes a classy choice.
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On our test, it kept us warm without overheating. Something for those spring/autumn temperatures when it’s still a bit windy and the sun isn’t fully out. The zips and spacious pockets are a lifesaver too, no chance of losing anything important.
Through their focus on fewer things, L’Estrange produced very high-quality city cycling apparels at their first try. Chapeau.
