Le Mont ST Michel French Moleskin Jacket
European vintage classic French workwear moleskin jacket
Introduction.
When it comes to vintage clothing, American vintage clothing is the most common, and even people who are not interested in vintage clothing are probably familiar with military clothing such as the M65, leather such as A2, and denim from Levi’s and Lee. This time, we will change our perspective to Europe and introduce French vintage clothing. As you may know if you like European vintage clothing, French work jackets were worn by workers before the war, and the moleskin jackets introduced this time were actually worn by those who worked in coal mines. Moleskins are also made from a sturdy cotton fabric like jeans, and since they were used at the same time as vintage jeans, many of them have been aged in a unique way like jeans, making them very attractive. In this article, we will introduce the moleskin French work jacket.
About moleskin jackets.
Unique texture different from jeans.
Moleskin fabric is made from a slightly finer yarn than jeans, which gives it a unique sheen and soft texture. Unlike jeans, where the colour fades in stripes, such as beards and beehives, which are often referred to as vertical fading, the colour fades on the surface, fades entirely, and the worn-out areas become shiny.
European A-body and refined silhouette.
Moleskin jackets were originally the work clothes of coal miners, so naturally in order to facilitate movement, the armholes are thicker, the length is a little longer, the body is wider and the overall silhouette is called A-body, with no narrowing at the waist and a stooping silhouette from the shoulders down. The A-body was made with priority given to ease of movement, but it has a somewhat cuter silhouette than the more form-fitting Y-body.
European G-Jacket in terms of atmosphere.
The form has a collar, left chest and side patch pockets, and slightly larger front buttons, and was originally designed for use as workwear, like military and jean jackets. This form is a form that does not feel out of place when worn as modern outerwear. I feel that this form is closer to a G-Jacket than to military wear, so I enjoy wearing it like a G-Jacket.
French moleskin I use.
My favourite moleskin work jacket was made by a manufacturer called Le Mont ST Michel and is said to have been distributed between the 1930s and 1940s. It is black in colour and I have chosen a size 42 true to size. If I originally wore it as workwear, I would probably choose another size up for ease of movement, but I love this size because the shoulder width, body width, length and sleeve length are in line with modern fashion styles.
In addition to black, the blue ones are famous, and the blue ones are also attractive because it is easier to see the ageing and the colour is often a beautiful blue. I often wear jeans on the bottom, so I choose black, but if you want to match them with chinos or white denim, blue is very attractive and elegant.
Influence on men’s fashion.
Various designers have used French moleskin workwear as a motif for casual outerwear. The most famous example is the French moleskin outerwear made by TOM FORD, which is available in black, beige and khaki colours. The result is a very stylish outerwear. The jeans and G-Jacket are also made of moleskin, and this item has a different tension from denim, and the TOM FORD worldview is well expressed in casual wear.
Convenient outerwear that goes with everything.
I often wear a moleskin jacket over jeans and a white T-shirt or a white polo shirt, but because it is a single piece of tailored black outerwear, it is an item that can be worn with any style and is a very convenient outerwear that can be worn with any outfit. My favourite ones are the ones that are true to size, black in colour and not too damaged, but there are also ones on sale that have been repaired with patchwork in the damaged areas. The patchwork itself has its own quirks, but this is exquisite and makes it attractive even if you dare to choose a restored piece to wear.
Example of wear.
Details.
- 100% cotton
- Box silhouette A-body
- Shoulder, body and armholes are moderately comfortable.
- Sleeve length and body length are neither long nor short, making the silhouette easy to match.
- Black moleskin.
Combinations.
- Moleskin work jacket : Le Mont St Michel size 42
- Denim : Levi’s 501XX 55Model waist 29.5inch:length 30.5inch
- Crew neck T-shirt : Wasew size M
- Hat : COMES AND GOES
- Watch : Rolex GMT Master 1675(1964)
- Sunglasses : TOM FORD
- Belt : White House Cox
Conclusion.
This time, I introduced the French work jacket, a staple of European vintage clothing.
My basic style is American vintage clothing, but when I combine it with European vintage clothing, I get a kind of urban mode feeling, which is interesting and I love wearing it. Like jeans, they were originally workers’ work clothes, and their functional beauty has made them attractive over time, and I find it very interesting that today’s designers have taken that appeal and turned it into a motif. As it is a single-piece outerwear, it is active in early spring and autumn, but even in summer, it is a very convenient item with many opportunities to wear it, such as wrapped around the waist during the day and worn at night. It is made of cotton, so there are different tastes, but you can enjoy wearing it in a way like I do, holding it roughly by hand and wearing it without worrying about wrinkles.
French moleskin is still available if you look for it, but due to the nature of second-hand clothing, each item is in a different condition. It is also difficult to find the right size, but it is fun to look for something that fits you slowly, so if you are interested, I think it is fun to look for it.
Shop.
The French moleskin jacket introduced this time was purchased at Post78.
Post78 offers a wide range of high-quality, long-lasting items that the owner, who loves clothes, is particular about, and I often shop here. I also enjoy discussing fashion with the shop owner, who is a clothes lover, when I shop here.
“Post78” Global shipping is not supported. Come to the shop when you come to Japan.
