The 2013 Bespoked Bristol show saw the launch of Chapeau’s debut clothing range.
Chapeau was born out of a skin care range but the new clothing line, designed in Devon and made in Portugal, adds significant weight to the brand.
Classic, understated styling and fair pricing are Chapeau’s key principles and that extends to the clothing range, which is made up of nearly 20 items, covering both casual cycle clothing and performance road wear. The range is available now, either through the Chapeau website or a growing network of retailers.
We found out more about Chapeau, and its parallel existence as The People’s Bicycle Club, in our latest Industry Insider article but Bespoked Bristol gave us the first opportunity to see the new clothing range in the flesh. Here are the highlights.
Classic styling underpins the Chapeau range and that’s reflected in the brand’s display at Bespoked Bristol. Each Chapeau dealer will display the collection in a refurbished wardrobe, just like this one.
The range covers casual cycle clothing and performance road wear, and includes a jersey, gilet, waterproof jacket, cap, bib shorts, base layers, arm warmers and knee warmers.
The Etape jersey, priced at £69.99, has a performance cut for a slim fit, and, along with three conventional rear pockets, has an additional hip pocket for easy access to food while pedalling.
The Etape jersey is available in black and red, as pictured, or black and white. Chapeau’s bowler hat logo features across the range.
The debut range includes three bib shorts: the entry-level Classic bib short is priced at £59.99 and comes with a TMF pad, while the premium Pave bib short is £119.99, and, interestingly, is available with a choice of two Carbonium pads. The green label here denotes that the chamois used on these shorts is best suited to the upright riding position preferred by sportive riders, while shorts with a red label come with a thinner pad for those who can hold a lower, racing position.
The Classic bib short is designed for short to medium length rides, be it the ride to work or a short training ride, while Chapeau say the top-of-the-range Pave shorts have been made from a lightweight fabric which provides maximum muscle support, comfort, breathability and durability.
A gilet is a vital addition to any cyclist’s wardrobe for the changeable British spring/summer and this is Chapeau’s take. The Echelon gilet (£94.99) is made from a waterproof, multi-stretch fabric with taped seams and a high collar, plus it folds away into its own rear pocket.
The gilet is not short on reflective detailing, with this thick zip cover, a reflective Chapeau logo, and panels on the shoulders and back all designed to improve low light visibility.
The range also includes a waterproof rain jacket (£149.99), which has an asymmetric front zip which Chapeau say results in the optimum fit when on the bike. It’s made from the same waterproof fabric as the gilet, while the high collar and close-fitting cuffs are designed to keep the wind and rain out.
A good base layer is the foundation of any clothing layering system and Chapeau have covered all, erm, bases. There are three merino base layers in the range: one with long sleeves (£39.99), one with short sleeves (£34.99) and one with no sleeves (£29.99).
All three are made from 100 per cent merino which is super-soft to touch. Merino wool is warm, soft next to the skin, odour resistant, retains heat when it’s wet and still does a good job at wicking sweat away from the skin when the weather’s balmy. All three base layers have been designed to have a slim fit and there are no irritating internal labels.
Performance road wear makes up the majority of the Chapeau range, but, if your after something more casual, the Cafe jersey (£49.99) has a relaxed cut, while retaining cycling-specific features like the three rear pockets and silicon hem. It’s available in grey, as well as black, blue/white and red/white.
But what to pair the Cafe jersey with? These City shorts (£59.99) are designed for the ride about town or to the pub. The shorts have some stretch built in to the crotch and back panel while the Chapeau logo and rear belt loops are reflective. The shorts have a straight cut leg and four pockets, and are available in black or black pinstripe.
See the full range at www.chapeaucycling.co.uk
