You can’t beat a wonderful patina

Unless you’re only freshly acquainted with what we do at Asphalte, you're bound to have heard us harp on about 'patina'.

Patina here, patina there, it’s been a big part of what we do since we started in 2016. The reason is simple: it looks good and it’s bang in line with our attitude to sustainability. Let us explain this a bit more.

Well, in the chemical sense, it's the natural oxidation process that happens with copper and bronze.

Over time, its meaning has broadened to include all the changes, discolourations, and wear and tear on different materials. It’s not always positive, rusty old car anyone?

Patina is far from a dirty word at Asphalte. Quite the opposite in fact.

To us, patina isn’t a problem or something that needs to be avoided. It’s not an imperfection. It’s an evolving beauty, a gift that keeps on giving.

For us, patina is more than just the mark of time passing.

It’s the story of your personal experience with a garment or object.

It’s the unique trace that your daily life leaves.

It's a deeply personal imprint you leave on the things you love most.

The beauty of patina is that, with time, no two things are ever the same.

Just take a look at your watch strap, your favourite armchair, your favourite denim, door handles or your PS4 controllers: you won't find another one like it anywhere.

And why? Because there are countless factors at play. Skin pH, frequency of use, posture, wear, light exposure, how you care for them... these all influence the patina, making each one uniquely yours.

It might seem obvious, but let's be clear: only the finest materials develop a beautiful patina. They need to be durable enough to age gracefully, rather than deteriorate.

For us, who advocate a sustainable and accessible wardrobe, the concept of patina is absolutely central.

To show you what we mean, we reached out to some of our earliest customers to see how their clothes have worn over time.

Thanks to those of you who responded, we weren’t disappointed:

These Ultimate Jeans have developed a very unique character. In denimese, the fades you see around the thighs and back of the knees are known as 'whiskers'. They’re a ridged patina that is frequently found in the tension zones of quality fabrics.

It's a shame we don’t have a step count for these Derby Boots because we're pretty sure they've clocked a fair few miles. The marks on the leather show that they've been around the block and then some, but it's precisely these marks that give them their charm. They look better than ever.

Over time, with repeated wear and successive washes, the indigo dye on this Denim Jacket has gradually worn and faded to reveal glimpses of the cotton thread’s natural colour. Year after year, raw jackets naturally lighten to reveal the storied life of its wearer.

Originally rough and raw, linen fabrics become softer and softer as they are worn and washed. This Asphalte Shirt has taken on a beautiful velvety texture after a few years of regular wear. But we’re happy to see that the shape hasn't budged a bit.

Denim's twin, chambray, ages just as well. With the usual stress areas starting to whiten in places, this shirt has developed a unique character.

We love clothes that improve over time, and we work hard to make sure that that’s the case with each item we release.

We source natural raw materials, work with robust, hard-wearing fabrics and double down on the cut and finishing touches to combine charm and durability. The items you’ve just seen are the ultimate illustration of this. Each one’s benefitted from a number of years of regular wear and good care.

For us, we’d take character and personality over immaculate, box-fresh clothes any day. For you, it’s a lasting statement that Asphalte doesn't mess around with durability.

In the end, patinas are proof of love, and we can't wait to see yours if you have any good examples in your wardrobe. Shoot them up in the comment section.

ASPHALTE