Treesco Clothing Range

Over the past few months we’ve looked at two of the three brands that make up the Treesco range of French hunting clothing. Hunting, since the French regard any form of gathering of nature’s bounty as the hunt or le chasse. And in this instance, the ‘chasse’ is more than appropriate, since the Club Interchasse suit as tested represents Treesco’s most exclusive range of clothing; Percussion and Verney- Carron deemed the more workaday and affordable collections, Treesco itself being ostensibly Verney- Carron’s clothing arm. But whichever of the three suit both yourself and your wallet, it’s the French styling and cut that set them apart.

The jacket and trousers here are currently the most popular of the Club Interchasse range and called The Arthur. Potentially not the most inspiring of names, it doesn’t however detract from the quality of the full suit. Manufactured from near silent dark green Cotton-Cordura outer and what’s described as a floating inner breathable Verney-Carron yellow check lining with brown brushed leather detailing around the collar, cuffs and pockets, the style is unmistakable; even the leather elbow patches picked out with the distinct hunting horn Club Interchasse logo.

The jacket also boasts soft-lined hand warmers and large bellow cartridge pockets with the usual hold-open straps. Internally there are also removable cartridge and bullet holders perchance the wearer wishes to carry some alternative ammunition should a fox or other such make an impromptu appearance. And of benefit should you be waiting on your peg for any length of time, the rear game pocket unzips to form a waterproof flap for the wearer to sit on.

Legwear

Equally, the matching trousers have suede detailing around the pockets and belt loops, add to both the style and durability. Featuring a semi-elasticated waist, it’s around the ankles that attention to detail makes the Arthur trousers some of the best you’ll potentially wear.

Tapering down to a narrow leg from just below the knee, a zip allows the six-inch gusset to open to allow the wearer’s feet to pass through but when zipped up means that they can be worn over a pair of boots to form quite a reasonable seal or inside your boots. But whichever works for you, the style means that the trousers don’t bunch up around the knee, whilst the cut has eliminated surplus material that afflicts so many other designs.

If it’s slightly too warm for the Arthur jacket, the Brenne waistcoat is as practical as it is tasteful and an interesting alternative to the familiar shooting vest. Finished in a brushed effect dark green cotton with a contrasting rich purple satin lining and detailed brass buttons, two huge pouch pockets hold a more than ample supply of cartridges, while a large rear game pocket will take care of your morning’s bag. Both shoulders are reinforced, whilst three internal pockets take care of wallet, license and mobile phone stowage.

Lastly, two of Treesco’s latest check cotton shirts, the Montrieux by Verney-Carron and the Club Interchasse range Noe. Both are comfortable to wear with sufficient room to move the shoulders without the tails escaping from the trousers, both have buttondown and suede-lined collars, the soft material extending to the Noe’s cuffs. Equally important, both shirts wash and iron well; a major bonus should it be your better half that takes care of such things.

In the Club

Expect to pay around £280 for the Arthur Jacket and £140 for the matching Arthur trousers, a more than reasonable £80 for the Brenne waistcoat and around £40 for either shirt. Whether you buy all of the Club Interchasse items or select individual items and irrespective of the fact none of them are actually manufactured in France, the design, cut, attention to detail and ease of wearing and use define each garment’s practicality and Treesco’s awareness of value for money, durability and the needs of the shooting man.

With thanks to Treesco, Club Interchasse and Verney- Carron, (www.interchasse.fr), and to Malmo Guns,(www. malmoguns.com, one of the UK major stockists of Club Interchasse, Verney-Carron and Percussion clothing.