Devon-based clothing brand, Chapeau, has unveiled its new spring-summer collection.
The second-year offering includes a revised women’s range with garments designed in collaboration with a female rider, a new men’s sub-£50 jersey, the Tempo, and a move to an Elastic Interface pad in the brand’s sub-£60 Classic short.
Early versions of many of the new garments were shown at the London Bike Show in February, where we snapped our pictures, but Chapeau main man, Luke Humphreys, says the new collection is now nearing completion.
Here’s a look at some of the key pieces.
Men’s shorts
The flagship Pavé short was previously offered with a choice of two inserts, but a third has been added to the line up for spring-summer 2014. The colour-coded theme continues, with the red pad intended to offer greater support for the sit bones when riding in an aggressive position, and the green pad for a more upright position.
The new, blue pad is the Elastic Interface Comp HP, one claimed to have greater thickness throughout and recommended by Chapeau for ‘heavier and endurance riders’. The short is made from Cool Q fabric – a softer, brushed polymide fabric, intended to be quick drying and to release heat. Chapeau say the short has been tested by record-breaking endurance cyclist, Mike Hall. The Pavé short will be available in seven sizes from XS to XXXL, with a choice of three inserts. It will cost £119.99.
The Classic short receives a makeover in the form of a new pad. Chapeau has replaced the previous insert, supplied by TMF, with the Fiandre pad from Elastic Interface, supplier to a host of established brands. The Classic short will be available in seven sizes from XS to XXXL and will cost £59.99.
Men’s jerseys
The Tempo jersey is new for 2014. It’s a pared down version of the Etape, with a less sophisticated fabric and a three-quarter zip. The waterproof pocket of its upscale cousin is absent too, but the more simple approach is reflected in the price. The Tempo jersey will be available in three colours and in seven sizes from XS to XXXL. It will cost £49.99.
The most significant change to this season’s Etape jersey is the use of a sublimation print. Three new colours have been introduced alongside the black and white ‘racing stripe’ edition, including Tour-inspired designs: yellow with a black border, and a French tricolore in homage to Jacques Anquetil’s iconic St Raphael jersey. The Etape jersey will be available in seven sizes from XS to XXXL, and will cost £79.99.
Women’s clothing
The most radical overhaul of the Chapeau offering for 2014 can be found the women’s range. The new collection has been designed in collaboration with a female rider, says Humphreys, and a designer hired solely to work on the women’s range on an on-going basis.
The revamped Madeleine jersey is the first fruits of the collaboration, and is made from the same fabric as the Tempo jersey. It differs in the rear pocket configuration. There are two central pockets and one on either hip: Chapeau’s solution to the challenge of fitting the traditional three-pocket layout on what is typically a smaller garment than a men’s jersey and with a different cut over the hips. The Madeleine jersey will be available in four sizes from XS to XL, and in three colours, including the polka dot lemon and green shown here. It will cost £59.99.
