Product Overview
This is a rare 1950s French two-pocket chore coat, built in faded blue cotton twill with uncommon buckle waist adjusters at the back / sides. The jacket has a longer work-coat body rather than the cropped mechanic-style cut, with two button-flap chest pockets, a covered front closure, and a large period collar that splays to approximately 3 inches at its widest point. The exterior has a beautiful natural fade from years of wear, while the interior retains a much deeper indigo-blue tone from being protected from sunlight and abrasion. The buckle adjusters are the standout detail: seemingly hand-welded metal pieces with age, oxidation, and light rusting, giving the jacket a much rarer and more collectible construction profile than a standard French chore coat.
Details & History
Likely dating to the 1950s, this jacket shows several construction details that support a mid-century French workwear attribution. The covered button front is consistent with earlier covered-placket workwear construction becoming more visible during the 1950s, while the longer two-pocket chore coat body, large collar, and double-collar construction distinguish it from later, more standardized industrial jackets. The stitching also shows clear period irregularity, including uneven collar stitching where one side runs much closer to the edge while the other leaves a wider gap. These subtle construction inconsistencies, combined with the older metal buckle adjusters, two button-flap chest pockets, and utilitarian cut, give the piece a strong 1950s French workwear profile. The buckle adjusters are especially notable, as this is a much less common detail on French chore coats and adds both visual interest and collector value.
Condition & Measurements
The jacket shows moderate authentic distressing throughout, all tasteful and consistent with genuine workwear use. Wear is especially visible along the waistline, back of the collar, sleeves, cuffs, and lower hem. The exterior shows a strong natural fade with softened blue tones, while the interior remains a deeper indigo from reduced exposure. There is scattered staining, patina, fabric wear, edge distressing, and fraying, especially toward the bottom hem and high-contact areas. For the most part the buttons do not match and have likely all or mostly been replaced. The buckle adjusters show age, oxidation, and light rusting, but remain one of the defining features of the garment. Overall, the jacket is worn but highly presentable, with the kind of fade, hardware, and construction details that make mid-century French workwear desirable.
Measurements
Pit to pit: 22.5”
Length: 29”
Sleeve from mid collar to end of cuff: 33”
Fits like a tight large depending on desired fit.
Product Overview
This is a rare 1950s French two-pocket chore coat, built in faded blue cotton twill with uncommon buckle waist adjusters at the back / sides. The jacket has a longer work-coat body rather than the cropped mechanic-style cut, with two button-flap chest pockets, a covered front closure, and a large period collar that splays to approximately 3 inches at its widest point. The exterior has a beautiful natural fade from years of wear, while the interior retains a much deeper indigo-blue tone from being protected from sunlight and abrasion. The buckle adjusters are the standout detail: seemingly hand-welded metal pieces with age, oxidation, and light rusting, giving the jacket a much rarer and more collectible construction profile than a standard French chore coat.
Details & History
Likely dating to the 1950s, this jacket shows several construction details that support a mid-century French workwear attribution. The covered button front is consistent with earlier covered-placket workwear construction becoming more visible during the 1950s, while the longer two-pocket chore coat body, large collar, and double-collar construction distinguish it from later, more standardized industrial jackets. The stitching also shows clear period irregularity, including uneven collar stitching where one side runs much closer to the edge while the other leaves a wider gap. These subtle construction inconsistencies, combined with the older metal buckle adjusters, two button-flap chest pockets, and utilitarian cut, give the piece a strong 1950s French workwear profile. The buckle adjusters are especially notable, as this is a much less common detail on French chore coats and adds both visual interest and collector value.
Condition & Measurements
The jacket shows moderate authentic distressing throughout, all tasteful and consistent with genuine workwear use. Wear is especially visible along the waistline, back of the collar, sleeves, cuffs, and lower hem. The exterior shows a strong natural fade with softened blue tones, while the interior remains a deeper indigo from reduced exposure. There is scattered staining, patina, fabric wear, edge distressing, and fraying, especially toward the bottom hem and high-contact areas. For the most part the buttons do not match and have likely all or mostly been replaced. The buckle adjusters show age, oxidation, and light rusting, but remain one of the defining features of the garment. Overall, the jacket is worn but highly presentable, with the kind of fade, hardware, and construction details that make mid-century French workwear desirable.
Measurements
Pit to pit: 22.5”
Length: 29”
Sleeve from mid collar to end of cuff: 33”
Fits like a tight large depending on desired fit.
