Thinking about trying L’Estrange London? Here’s my honest review of this interesting new menswear brand.
With less, do more.
That’s what it says on L’Estrange London’s homepage. That’s the mission that led this young brand to create a “clothing system rooted in versatility”.
To that end, L’Estrange launched with a capsule wardrobe for men consisting of perennial basics like crew neck tees, Oxford shirt, quarter zip sweaters, and their flagship product, The 24 Trousers.
I’ve never chased trends, and I don’t participate in fast fashion, so I love this mission. It reminds me other TMM favorites like Everlane and ASKET.
So, in this unsponsored review, I’ll share my thoughts about these unique pants and show you how they fit on my 5’6″ frame.
About L’Estrange London
Many companies talk about corporate ethics and environmental sustainability, but very few put their money where their mouth is.
Why is that?
Here’s the sad truth: the vast majority of consumers also don’t put their money where their mouths are.
People say they prefer locally made and/or eco-friendly goods, but they’re rarely willing to pay more for them.
So if a clothing brand wants to be part of the solution, they have to raise their prices. Cheap, high quality, ethically produced clothing doesn’t exist.
As consumers, the best thing we can do is buy less stuff. Obviously, we still need clothes, but most people could own less and keep stuff longer.
L’Estrange is trying to make men’s clothing that’s versatile enough to wear multiple times a week and high quality enough to keep for many years.
They also offer free repairs in an effort to extend the life of their clothing.
I fully support this mission, and for that reason alone, I recommend checking out this brand.
Of course, your clothes have to fit well and look good, so let’s take a look at what I tried on from L’Estrange.
My Build
For reference, I’m about 5’6″ with shoes on and 125 lbs after dinner. I typically wear size 34 jackets, XS tops and 28×28 pants.
What I Tried On
Here’s what I’ve been able to try on from L’Estrange London so far:
L’Estrange 24 Trousers Review
I love a good pair of chinos. They’re comfy, more versatile than jeans and can be worn all year around.
These slightly stretchy heavyweight performance trousers from L’Estrange check most of the right boxes:
- Clean waistband (no belt loops)
- Subtle stretch (not too “tech-y”)
- Elastic waistband
- Hidden drawstring
- Cuffable legs
- Premium materials
Let’s dive into the details…
Waistband
Unlike most chinos or “khakis” you’ll find from other brands, The 24 Trousers don’t have belt loops.
As someone who always opts for side adjusters on my suit pants, I love this clean look.
The elastic waistband and hidden drawstring make it easy to achieve the perfect amount of hug around your waist.
Pockets
These pants have a single back pocket (on the right) with a button closure. I wish they had a back left pocket too because that’s where I keep my wallet.
They also have seamed side pockets – the kind you find on most chinos and trousers.
These pants don’t have any hidden zip pockets, which I’m okay with. In my experience, these usually go unused.
Fabric and Color
Made with 9 oz fabric, these Heavyweight Trousers are 50% heavier than the Classic 24 Trouser.
They definitely have a noticeable heft, but I don’t think they’re too thick to wear in warmer weather (maybe not the dead of summer).
The dark beige color is perfect. I find that many khaki colored chinos are too light and/or saturated. These are a bit darker and less saturated, so they’ll go with pretty much any shirt and jacket.
I have heard reports of darker color 24 Trousers fading prematurely. One reviewer said that a button fell off and couldn’t be repaired.
If I experience any of these issues, I’ll be sure to update this review.
L’Estrange Easy Zip Sweatshirt Review
This isn’t a sweatshirt. I think a more accurate name would be Heavyweight Long Sleeve Quarter Zip Polo, but that doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.
The Fabric
I call it a polo because the fabric is like a heavyweight pique cotton, just like you find on most polos. Inside, this cotton is flattened for a softer feel.
It’s extremely comfortable and well built. It looks great over a button up shirt, crew neck tee or henley.
The Fit
I’ll be upfront: this sweater is too big for me. Specifically, it’s too long in the body and sleeves, even after a high heat wash/dry cycle.
The shoulders and chest are actually fine, even though it was clearly designed for a slightly larger person.
This sucks because I love the quality and style of this sweater. In general, I think the quarter zip is a versatile garment, especially if your style leans business casual.
So I’ll be taking this sweater to my tailor to see if anything can be done to make it fit better.
Quality & Design
My take, based on what I’ve worn so far, is that L’Estrange is making high quality, thoughtfully designed clothing.
I don’t love all of their designs. For example, I don’t think The Hood (a zip up hoodie) really makes sense in their modular wardrobe.
I think a loopback sweatshirt, long sleeve tee or basic wool sweater would make more sense for most men who want an all-year-round capsule wardrobe.
But overall, I’m impressed with the L’Estrange London’s materials, construction quality and aesthetic.
Overall Recommendation
If you’re looking for a high quality pair of “go anywhere” pants, The 24 Trousers from L’Estrange is a strong candidate.
These are basically like middle-of-the-road chinos. You can wear them casually or dress them up. They’d look right at home in a smart or business casual office.
They’re not cheap, but if you want to own fewer, better things, you’ll appreciate these thoughtfully designed pants.
This thoughtful design extends to the rest of the brand’s collection, but if you’re a shorter guy, you may find their tops to be too long.
Questions About L’Estrange London
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about L’Estrange London:
Where is L’Estrange London’s clothing made?
The items I reviewed were made in Italy (trousers) and Portugal (sweater).
Are there any good L’Estrange 24 Trousers alternatives?
There are plenty of great chino pants with elastic waistbands and/or drawstrings. Search for “travel pants” or “performance chinos” and check out brands like Alex Mill, Bonobos, Club Monaco, Todd Snyder and Uniqlo.
Does L’Estrange London offer free shipping?
L’Estrange offers free shipping for UK and U.S. customers. Customers in other countries will have to pay $20 for DHL Standard shipping.
Does L’Estrange London ship internationally?
Yes, L’Estrange ships internationally with DHL.
What shoes are those??
Yuketen Maine Guide shoes 👌🏼
How does the leg shortening gimmick work?
It’s just an internal cuff: folding the fabric inside instead of out like a normal cuff. Some fabrics handle this kind of cuff much better than others (typically, stiffer fabrics work best).