Classic menswear with École de Pensée
Join me as I discover the Montreal-based label putting out timeless menswear bangers.
A few weeks ago I was in a pickle. I had a friend’s wedding coming up and I still didn’t know exactly what to wear. Time was running out and that was mainly my fault, but luckily I had a spot in mind that could help me get a fit off just in time.
I recently became acquainted with the good people over at Ecole de Pensee, a Montreal-based label that’s been creating elevated menswear since 2014. The clothing is important, yes, but whenever I am exploring a new brand I’m focusing on the people behind the scenes. It’s all vibe-based for me and when I linked up with the guys behind Ecole I just knew it was about to be a good time.
For the suit I was looking for something lighter in color and in a more casual cut that I could wear with a tee — some weddings allow for more casual looks, and when that’s the case you have to make sure what you’re wearing still looks sharp even though you decide to opt out of wearing the traditional shirt and tie combo.
Disregard the fit of the pants at the bottom and the t-shirt I am wearing hahah. My final look was looking way cleaner when paired with a tucked crisp white tee. I had to snap a quick photo of the suit before getting the waist altered to my liking, which had made the bottom of my pants not stack the way they originally did in the photo. Ecole does offer in-house alterations, which only took them a few days to complete.
I wasn’t planning on getting any new shoes for this look but I couldn’t help myself after trying on the Flaneur en Cuir de Cerf, a deerskin leather loafer that paired perfectly with the suit. I haven’t worn them outside of this look yet but it’s definitely a pair of shoes that you can wear more casually if you want to. Deerskin is known to be very light and soft so you won’t need any time to break them in, and because of its natural higher-end quality, it’s a shoe that will become even nicer with age.
Here are the pair of Flaneur en Cuir de Cerf loafers that I ended up grabbing. I sized down a whole size because the deerskin leather will stretch over time, and since there’s no way to tie them it was the right move. Haven’t worn these in a casual setting but definitely excited to whip these out with some jeans and a simple button-up.
As of right now, these are exclusive to their flagship in Montreal, but I’ve heard murmurs of them being added to their online store soon.
Ecole de Pensee has a location in Montreal which I highly recommend you stop at if you’re ever visiting. Here you check out their wide range of clothing and accessories in full as well as items not available in their online store. And most importantly you get to connect with the friendly staff that all share a similar passion for menswear — the funnest part of shopping in person in my opinion!
As you may have guessed, Ecole does offer a made-to-measure service. Here you can create your perfect suit using a variety of fabrics from textile pros like Loro Piana and Harris Tweed. You know, that real chic vibe that will make you feel like a million bucks. If it’s your first time getting a new suit then you’re going to be in great hands. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly and will work with you to figure out what you want in a suit that you’ll love.
They have some really great footwear that is made using deerskin and buffalo leather in Galicia, Spain. These are ideal for more dressed up occasions but also can be used in a casual look. That soft leather is something that you have to try in person if you can. You’ll feel the difference instantly.
Let’s talk about the clothes. Crafted using fabrics from Loro Piana, and Harris Tweed with mills in Scotland and Portugal for their knits, you can expect only the highest quality from their garments. Their FW24 collection just went live recently and the shirts are some of my favorite pieces in the collection.
Great construction paired with soft fabrics is enough to win me over. Fit wise this is just your traditional menswear at its best. So don’t be expecting any cropped stuff from them. I recommend sticking to your true size in their garments.
Shirts are not the only thing worth checking out though. Long coat season is fast approaching and if you’re someone who’s looking to join the wave, then you have to do it right. Looking and feeling like a don is an investment, and you’ll thank yourself later when you choose a piece that exudes pure quality and class.
They also have a bunch of new knits for FW24 that are worth taking a look at — lots of fun colors that are crafted using insanely soft wools.
The brand focuses on providing the best quality goods to its customers and the prices reflect that in an honest way. I believe that this is a solid brand for anyone who wants to truly invest in their clothing with the intention of wearing them for a very long time. This is a solid choice for all of my corporate people who need to look sharp at their job — believe me, I know the feeling and if you’re like me then you don’t want to spend all of that money on a bunch of work looks. If that’s the case then you have to make sure the looks you do have provide a high level of chic that will make you look and feel more confident on the field.
If you’re looking for well-executed, higher-end luxury garments that will last you a lifetime then Ecolee is the place to visit.
You can check out their online here, which features all of the new pieces from their latest FW24 collection. A lot of great elevated menswear for anyone who’s looking to level up in the dapper department.
The brand is also carried in the following stores: Le Bon Marché in Paris, Tempo Mastermade goods in Switzerland, Simons across Canada, and Housewarming Antwerp in Belgium — if you’re ever around then I highly recommend taking the time to explore their stuff in person. It’s always difficult to translate an idea over the internet, but once you put one of their pieces on you’ll understand what the brand is all about.
And make sure you stop by and say what’s up to the people behind the brand if you’re ever in Montreal!!
Jazzy!
These shoes are gas!!! did they mention them going online anytime soon?