THE JOURNAL
Officine Générale: The Perfectionist Parisian Brand’s Effortless New Collection

We’re sure Officine Générale’s founder and creative director, Mr Pierre Mahéo, won’t mind us saying that he’s a perfectionist. He admits to having a daily uniform: always matching blocks of white, grey or navy – see Instagram for the proof (we promise it’s there, between snaps of early morning espressos at Café de Flore and covetable 1930s furniture). Just like his grandfather, a tailor so committed to his craft that he even wore a three-piece suit while gardening, he’s obsessive about fabrics. Each season he searches through thousands of different patterns and colours, and only works with high quality Italian, Japanese or British materials that meet his exacting standards. Every detail, pocket and stitch is considered (and reconsidered) to ensure that the brand’s clothes truly last and feel comfortable.
It’s this essence of perfection that makes Officine Générale’s clothes so easy and, in all honesty, pleasant to wear. Influenced by one of Mahéo’s French style icons, Mr Serge Gainsbourg, the idea is that you can achieve stylish heights by simply rotating between a few signature pieces. Here are 10 from the latest collection that’ll slot straight into your existing wardrobe.
01.
The quintessential tee

A well-made T-shirt that’s cut as neatly as this one should be found in every man’s wardrobe. We can attest to it feeling as comfortable and as lightweight as it looks, though, importantly, the white fabric isn’t even a little bit sheer – always a marker of quality.
02.
The field jacket

Mahéo’s primary advice for looking good? Ensure you’re comfortable. So, when it comes to outerwear, technical fabrics are key – no one feels their best when they’re damp and soggy from the rain. This field jacket is cut from water-repellent twill and has roomy patch pockets to slide your phone and cardholder into.
03.
The pleated trousers

After years of being told that flat-front trousers were the secret to looking better (and trimmer), the men in Paris raised their eyebrows at Mahéo’s signature pleated pair – until they tried them for themselves, that is. Now they’re a bestseller.
04.
The leather jacket

Imagine the most stylish guy you can strolling around the streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Now imagine them in anything other than this black leather jacket. Impossibly buttery, it’s cut for a classic fit and has a removable collar tab.
05.
The WFH chinos

Everything from the softness of the garment-dyed tencel fabric to the partly elasticated waistband of these chinos makes them the only thing we want to be working from home in. Well, not the only thing. You only make a mistake like that once…
06.
The checked shirt

You know those refined, considered design details we mentioned? This is the sort of thing we’re talking about. Cut from Japanese cotton, this checked shirt has gathered pleats at the cuffs, a rounded hem (so it never looks scruffy untucked) and double needle seams for extra durability.
07.
The camp-collar shirt

This camp-collar shirt is just the thing to layer over the aforementioned white tee. Also made from Japanese cotton, it’s printed with a bandana-style pattern that’s wearable all year round. The loose fit and side slits make it feel extra breezy – and it’s been wear-tested before release so you can be sure its made to last.
08.
The technical trench

You were probably expecting a classic Parisian trench coat in this roundup, but, make no mistake, this is no ordinary trench. Smart enough to wear to the office, dinner dates or nights on the town, the technical Italian wool (yes, wool) is actually waterproof and it’s designed with a detachable hood. Sold.
09.
The 1950s-inspired jacket

Fans of vintage style listen up: this jacket is inspired by a denim design from the 1950s. Made in Portugal, it’s cut from smooth suede in a rich olive colour that Mahéo likes to wear himself – particularly with tonal trousers and a crisp, classic tee.
10.
The forever suit jacket

Just like the four-letter L-word for some, we don’t like to mention the word “forever”, unless we really mean it. Tailored from a blend of Italian cotton and linen, this suit jacket is light enough for the summer months but is easy to layer up when temperatures drop. Care for it well and you’ll never part with it.