Functional gear from one of Japan's best
Exploring the new F/CE collection and what recent pick-ups I'm enjoying right now.
Functionality. Culture. Exploration. F/CE is a brand founded in Japan in 2010 by designers Satoshi Yamane and Asami Yamane. Since the inception of the brand, their goal was always to blend fashion with function using inspiration from cultures around the world to create high quality gear that’s designed to be with you for life.
I first discovered F/CE years ago when I was on the hunt for a good quality backpack that looked good. Sadly, the options for something like that felt limited, so when I discovered F/CE’s backpacks I was instantly hooked. Backpacks are just the tip of the iceberg for the brand though—they have a huge variety of styles to choose from, and all of them are really good.
There’s a funny discourse around backpacks right now. I see a lot of people saying how having a backpack is an ugly move, but I completely disagree. They are extremely functional, and I think the people who hate on them have never owned one that they truly liked. F/CE changes that vibe by creating good quality backpacks that are affordable, have functionality in mind, and most importantly, look really good.
While their bag game is extremely strong and should be the first stop for anyone looking to upgrade their bag game this year, you should not skip over their clothing. Now, this is where F/CE is constantly working on leveling up their game by expanding their range of clothing with each new collection.
I haven’t had a chance to properly discover their clothing until recently this past summer during Paris Fashion Week. All I have to say is, fans of functional wear that want clothes that are durable, well made, designed for bad weather in mind, and that look good, will be right at home when shopping at F/CE.
My fall closet transition has been well underway, and with my recent grabs from F/CE I think I’m more than set for the upcoming shift in weather. Today I want to explain what I ended up grabbing, my thoughts on the garments, and their role in my closet this season.
Let’s start it off with the Pertex Balmacaan Coat. I’ve been wanting to get a proper Balmacaan Coat for a minute now, but the options that I had in mind were almost a thousand dollars, and I simply just couldn’t pull the trigger on that. This Balmacaan Coat is about $480, which is a totally reasonable price for what you get in return.
In terms of sizing for all of the garments, I suggest suggest going with your true size. That’s what I did with my items and I had no issues. The garments are wide and fit loose, giving you plenty of room to play with.
Let’s go back to the coat. The PERTEX 3 Layer fabric is thick yet lightweight and breathable, giving you adequate protection for fall and winter. Taped seam interior for further waterproofing is a cherry on top. Concealed zippers with big pockets is a nice touch that I’ll always be down for. I also really like the big button details around the cuffs for easy fit adjustments. This is going to be the coat I wear once that rainy season truly begins.
The Technical Stretch Shirt is another banger that I can’t wait to layer this season. Now, this could easily pass as a lightweight jacket as well as a shirt, which is the versatility I want from a garment. It’s sort of difficult to truly capture the color of this piece via photos, but I would say the layflat below is what the jacket actually looks like in-person.
Everything about this piece is sensational. I love how small the collar is, which is something that’s very important to me. The panel stitching is a cool detail that just gives it a little bit more edge. Double zipper is great for additional styling, and the fit is just perfect—I went with a Size L, I’m 6’3. Handsome.
The Infinity Crease Cargos are the type of pants I’ve never owned before. Let me explain. They come pre-creased, which is something I wouldn’t usually be down for, but once I put them on I was hooked. They do come with Primaloft padding that provides extra warmth for those serious cold days, but at the same time they are very lightweight. These pants are going to be critical for the Canadian winter, but also these are going to be perfect to snowboard in later this season.
They come with a built-in belt and adjustable drawstrings at the leg opening which is something I like a lot in these pants—If I’m snowboarding in these, then having these two things is going to be very important. Overall, these pants are not going to be for everyone. It really depends on what climate you live in. If you live in seriously cold climates though, then this is definitely a pair of pants that’s going to be worth considering.
Last but not least, I had to grab a backpack. I’m fortunate enough to be able to travel a good amount because of everyone who reads this newsletter—big thank you by the way—which allows me to continue to explore and discover new things to write about. So, having a good backpack with me for these travels is essential.
When looking for a backpack I need something durable with lots of compartments, good comfortability, and it has to look good. The 420 re/cor Travel Backpack checks all of those boxes for me. For $200, this is such a good bag that you’ll actually be excited to wear.
It has a built in laptop section, side pockets for water bottles, small front pocket for loose stuff, and another interior section that has smaller compartments perfect for cameras, and other equipment. It’s a big bag that has a lot of space. I also like how it has extra padding on the back which gives it that extra comfortability that’s perfect if you’re planning on wearing a backpack for long periods of time.
Overall, everything I grabbed is really well made, good fitting, and just fits my everyday needs perfectly. I really don’t just hype something up unless I truly believe a brand deserves it. I truly think that F/CE makes good stuff that’s affordable, high-quality, is fun to wear and is actually actually worth your money.
You can shop F/CE full collection directly on their website here. Before you ask, yes, they do offer global shipping. Highly suggest diving in and checking out what this brand has to offer. Their selection is huge. Below are some of my favorite items that are currently available on their website.
Follow them on Instagram here.
F/CE is one of the best doing it but under the radar. satoshi designed a lot of the "gorp" craze for well known brands for many years
i’m always blown away by the craftsmanship