Here, every article is written by those who believe that technical clothing is the future of fashion: welcome to VEST PARIS , where elegance and innovation discreetly meet
The gap between performance and aesthetics is blurring, giving way to a new era of stylish technical clothing. At VEST PARIS, our search for men's technical clothing brands that embody this fusion has taken us to every corner of the globe.
In addition to VEST , a promising French player in this revolution, we explored around twenty companies that infuse cutting-edge technology into sophisticated creations.
From Italian heritage to Japanese avant-garde, including American excellence and French know-how, VEST PARIS paints a non-exhaustive picture of the key players in this hybrid wardrobe.
Pioneers and Icons
Stone Island, the alchemy of materials and colors
Stone Island's imprint on the world of technical clothing is indelible. Founded in Italy by Massimo Osti on a foundation of textile experimentation and a refined utilitarian aesthetic, the Italian brand continues to fascinate with its ability to transform raw materials into covetable pieces.
Its compass badge is a symbol of quality and innovation, despite a sometimes high price positioning, especially since the brand was acquired by Moncler in 2020 for more than a billion.
CP Company, functional innovation as its DNA
Massimo Osti's legacy continues with CP Company, whose pragmatic approach to design, inspired by workwear and military clothing, has influenced generations. Considered an urban luxury brand, the brand was initially called Chester Perry before transforming into CP Company in 1978.
Its iconic pieces, like the Goggle Jacket, demonstrate functionality designed for everyday life, with an aesthetic that is sometimes raw but always distinctive.
Be careful, however, while the design is still as "aggressive" and bold as ever, at VEST PARIS we find that the quality can sometimes leave something to be desired. Especially given the price, you have to be demanding now.
Herno, Italian elegance against the elements
Herno embodies understated elegance, where technical expertise blends into sophisticated cuts. Their ultra-lightweight raincoats and down jackets are examples of Italian craftsmanship at the service of unpretentious functionality, justifying a price that matches the quality and durability.
A dormant old brand revived 15 years ago, Herno is definitely worth your time.
Zegna, luxury and performance
Even luxury giants are getting in on the tech wave. Zegna's outdoor clothing collections are akin to excellence and dreamlike, with prices worthy of those of Hermès. The Italian brand, partner of Real Madrid, delivers flawlessly with these outdoor products.
It creates innovative collaborations, exploring new frontiers where the excellence of traditional materials meets unexpected technical performances.
Moncler, from chic ski to urban icon
You may not know this, but Moncler is originally a 100% French brand, founded in the Grenoble region, in Monestier de Clermont to be precise. The name Moncler comes from the contraction of the compound name of this village in Trièves, which is still celebrated today.
Initially specializing in mountain clothing, Moncler has conquered the urban landscape with its instantly recognizable down jackets. Their combination of thermal technology and refined aesthetics has made them a symbol of status and style, despite their often high price tag.
The masters of urban outdoor living
Arc'teryx, the Canadian technical requirement
Arc'teryx remains a benchmark for technical outdoor clothing, particularly in the mountaineering world. Behind this Vancouver-based brand are years of experience, performance, achievements, and credentials. Arc'teryx is curiously a relatively young brand, having been founded in 1989 under the name Rock Solid before changing its name in 1991.
Its advanced engineering, high-performance materials (Gore-Tex in particular) and anatomical cuts make them durable and functional pieces, adopted by urban adventurers who care about quality, despite a premium price.
Arc'Teryx even launched an urban line called Veilance. Minimalist design, super comfort, and a great price too. The line was even sold for two seasons at Le Bon Marché alongside our Inventive Citi products, which became VEST, but it didn't take off, unlike in the Japanese market where Veilance is very popular, according to our sources.
If you are in Paris, you should know that the brand has opened a large boutique on Bd de la Madeleine.
Lululemon, active comfort as a philosophy
At VEST PARIS, we discovered this brand in 2014 in London. We fell in love. We wanted to wear everything. Since then, the Canadian brand has exploded, and what was originally just a brand for yogis has become an urban brand that is expanding to all four corners of the planet.
Lululemon has democratized active comfort, offering versatile technical clothing that blurs the lines between sport and everyday wear. Its mastery of stretch and breathable fabrics has appealed to a wide audience, even if the aesthetic sometimes remains heavily athleisure-oriented. But we don't mind.
Descent, Japanese technical precision
This one's heavy stuff too! We love Descente. Anyway, we have a weakness for anything that comes from Japan, so we might be lacking in objectivity. While brands like Stone Island may be a bit overused these days, Descente is one of those niche brands that focuses on technology and R&D. So we're far from showing off and close to legend. It's the same mentality at VEST.
Descente continues to impress with the technicality and quality of its clothing, a legacy of its expertise in winter sports. Its sleek designs and attention to detail make it a preferred choice for those seeking discreet performance.
Canada Goose, against the cold
Purists will scold us because some people think Canada Goose is overrated or even "vulgar." This is what we hear here and there because the brand has decided to sell sometimes rather low-end parkas and down jackets at very high prices.
But that would be jumping the gun, as the Canadian brand knows how to do excellent work with its range of top-flight jackets, offering performance levels that are unique on the market. And we respect that.
Since its founding in 1957 in Toronto, Canada Goose has conquered cold cities around the world with its iconic parkas, designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. Their proven technicality and recognizable aesthetic make them lasting investments, even if they could make an effort with certain accessories such as their often low-quality and fragile plastic zippers. Zippers are very important... we know what we're talking about.
The North Face, the other mountain behemoth
With a long history in expedition gear, The North Face has adapted its technical expertise to a fashionable urban wardrobe.
The brand was born in 1966 when two hiking enthusiasts opened a small, eponymous store in a San Francisco neighborhood. And then the snowball grew and grew and grew...
Their jackets, fleeces and other pieces combine functionality and a casual aesthetic, with some ranges offering good value for money.
The avant-gardists and the innovators
Vollebak, experimental clothing
Haven't heard of them? Check out their website; you won't be disappointed. London-based Vollebak embodies boldness and innovation, designing clothing with futuristic properties and innovative materials.
His scientific approach to design pushes the boundaries of what is possible, even if the prices and conceptual aesthetics sometimes make them marginal.
ACRONYM, German design in the spotlight
ACRONYM, under the direction of Errolson Hugh, fuses cutting-edge military technology with an avant-garde urban aesthetic. Its complex and ultra-functional creations are objects of desire for a discerning clientele.
Stone Island Shadow Project
We could have mentioned this line earlier in the Stone Island section, but it's more appropriate here. This Stone Island laboratory line explores bolder stylistic and technical territories, aimed at customers seeking innovation and uniqueness.
This line allows Stone Island to move away from its somewhat tarnished image and focus on its core business of innovation.
Nikelab ACG, Nike's urban vision
It's hard to think of a fashion and technical clothing brand without mentioning Nike. The Nikelab ACG (All Conditions Gear) collection fuses Nike's expertise in sportswear with a sharp urban aesthetic, offering high-performance and stylish pieces to tackle the elements in the city.
VEST, the brand that pushes the limits of your safety
Within this constellation of brands, VEST asserts its uniqueness by offering elegant urban technical clothing with a focus on the safety of its users.
The French brand, founded in 2012 under the name Inventive Citi, has mastered the art of integrating high-performance materials that protect against bad weather , road accidents and firearm bullets (V007 jacket ) into contemporary cuts and careful finishes, offering a functional wardrobe without ever sacrificing style.
This positioning is unique on the market and is what makes this brand successful, always at the forefront.
Its balanced approach and French know-how make it a promising player in the elegant technical clothing market, with a price positioning justified by quality and durability.
Emerging players
ROA Hiking, the mountains in the city again
Yet another brand that "comes down from the mountain on horseback," as the song goes. Yes, yet another one, but this Italian brand has caught our eye.
ROA Hiking draws inspiration from technical hiking clothing to create pieces with original designs and remarkable performance, appealing to customers looking for a strong outdoor style in an urban environment.
Goldwin, Japanese sporting heritage reinterpreted
With a long history in sportswear, Japanese brand Goldwin offers collections that combine technicality, comfort and a clean, contemporary aesthetic.
Satisfy, the high-end and stylish running shoe
Born like us in Paris, Satisfy reinvents running clothing by infusing it with a cutting-edge fashion aesthetic and high-quality technical materials, appealing to style-conscious runners.
But since its founder is originally from Grenoble like us, we are united and we believe very strongly in this brand.
And Wander, Japan between nature and city
Japanese brand And Wander offers technical clothing inspired by nature, with thoughtful design and high-performance materials, creating an aesthetic bridge between outdoor and urban environments.
What should you remember from this article?
The menswear landscape is being completely redefined, where performance and aesthetics are no longer worlds apart. This non-exhaustive list of brands (we could also have mentioned On Running, Mission Workshop, etc.), each in their own way, embodies this new era of functional elegance.
From radical innovation to more subtle interpretations, they offer a range of possibilities for a modern man who demands both style and technical expertise. VEST, with its unique vision of elegant technical clothing at the forefront of safety, positions itself as a key player in this revolution, proving that one can face the world with style and performance.
This VEST PARIS guide is your compass in this fascinating world, to help you navigate and make the best choices when it comes to stylish technical clothing.