The Lars sits in a familiar category: the casual overshirt that lives between a true shirt and a lightweight jacket. Octobre Éditions makes their case in 100% organic cotton waffle, at $130, from Portugal.
The Verdict
At $130, this is a competent, travel-friendly layering piece that earns its price without exceeding it. The construction is honest rather than exceptional, and the beige waffle texture does the heavy lifting aesthetically.
The Make
The fabric is 100% organic cotton in a waffle knit, made in Portugal. No weight listed by the brand, but waffle cotton at this price point typically runs light to mid-weight, which tracks with how it performs as a layering piece rather than a standalone cold-weather shirt. The buttons are mother-of-pearl, which is a small, considered touch at this price. The collar is a classic point, the chest has a patched pocket, the hem includes a gusset for range of motion, and the cuffs close with an adjustable fastening. Nothing here is extraordinary, but nothing is corner-cut either. This is a shirt that does what it says on the label.
Portugal manufacturing for a Paris-based direct-to-consumer brand is the standard play in this tier, and Octobre Éditions executes it cleanly. The make quality scores a 6 out of 10 in our assessment, which means it belongs in the wardrobe of someone who values wearability over heirloom construction.
One notable constraint: hand wash in cold water only. Fine for a shirt you wear on weekends or pack for a trip, slightly inconvenient if you're rotating it into a heavier workload.
The Fit
Regular cut, and it runs large. Size down one from your usual if you want a fit that doesn't read oversized. The shirt measures 74.5 cm from shoulder to hem in a medium, which is a standard shirt length, long enough to tuck but not so long it reads as a tunic. Sizing runs XS through XXXL, so most body types are covered.
The waffle texture adds a small amount of visual bulk, which is worth factoring in if you're between sizes.
The Context
Octobre Éditions is the menswear arm of Sézane, and that lineage is visible here: the palette is muted, the silhouette is unfussy, and the positioning is "Parisian casual" without much irony. The Lars competes against similar waffle shirts from brands like Alex Mill and Sunspel, both of which land in a comparable price range. Sunspel's waffle shirts offer finer finishing; Alex Mill's sit closer in spirit and price. The Octobre advantage, if there is one, is the sizing range and the layering performance, which scores a 9 out of 10. This is a shirt that slides under a chore coat or over a crewneck without complaint.
At 9 out of 10 on travel-friendliness, this is also a shirt that packs well, recovers from being folded, and doesn't demand much attention on the road.
The Personal Note
I haven't owned this one. My read is based on research and the brand's track record rather than two years of wear. That said, the Lars is the kind of shirt I'd pack for a four-day trip without hesitation, then probably not reach for much at home. It's a good travel shirt. Whether you need a dedicated good travel shirt at $130 is a question only you can answer.
