Cozy Comfy Couch Decorating Tips and Ideas

Inspirations

On a recent visit to Paris, Marie Hennechart, our well-dressed photographer friend, tipped us off about her current favorite wardrobe haunt. La Blouse de Lyon in Paris’s 9ème is a 40-year-old uniform shop that new owners, Gwendoline Van Opstal and Nicolas Le Jeune, took over when its longstanding proprietor was ready to retire. The couple preserved the store and its mission, to provide everyday, hardwearing clothing and gear, while adding fresh style to the operation.

They source from heritage brands largely in France but also the world over. Here’s a look at some favorites ideal for la rentrée, the return to hunkering down to work.

Wardrobe Staples

la blouse de lyon’s waxed cotton bib apron, €75, is made by 9 — Above: La Blouse de Lyon’s Waxed Cotton Bib Apron, €75, is made by Remodelista favorite Labour and Wait of London. The store also stocks a made-in-France 1 00 Percent Cotton Bib Apron in navy for €20.

detailed with a standup collar and pleats, the german carpenter shirt, & 10 — Above: Detailed with a standup collar and pleats, the German Carpenter Shirt, €59, is designed to be loose fitting and unisex. It’s made by FHB, which has specialized in “corporate clothing” since 1947.

the ecru moleskin suit vest, €109, is traditionally paired with wide le 11 — Above: The Ecru Moleskin Suit Vest, €109, is traditionally paired with wide-legged pants and a work coat. This one is made by The Plowman of Digoin, Burgundy.

Moleskin, as explained on the Blouse de Lyon website, is a material that “takes on a magnificent patina over the years, and can be worn on the construction site as well as in the city.” The available two colors correspond to France’s historic trade guilds: ecru for stonemasons and sculptors; black for carpenters and roofers.

le bleu de travail jacket, €99, is one of the shop’s many cl 12 — Above: Le Bleu de Travail jacket, €99, is one of the shop’s many classic work coats. Like the vest above, it’s made by The Plowman of Burgundy.

the plowman’s broadot pants in linen cotton are €109. 13 — Above: The Plowman’s Broadot Pants in linen-cotton are €109.

“The balloon or half-balloon shape, narrowed at the ankles, was intended to be ample and easy to facilitate movement on roofs or in carpentry work,” explains La Blouse de Lyon. There’s a strap for hanging a hammer; a piped pocket on the right leg for a folding ruler, gauge, and pencil; and a watch pocket (also good for holding chalk or garlic as a natural insect repellent).