When we talk about second-hand clothes, we generally think of American second-hand clothes, and even people who aren't interested in second-hand clothes probably know about military clothes like the M65, leather clothes like the A2, and Levi's and Lee denim. This time, we'll be changing our focus to Europe and introducing second-hand clothes from France.
As those who like second-hand European clothes will know, the French work jacket is a type of work clothes that was worn by labourers before the war, and the moleskin jacket we are introducing here is one that was actually worn by people who worked in coal mines.
The moleskin used for the fabric is also made from the same sturdy cotton as jeans, and as it was used at the same time as vintage jeans, many of them have developed a unique patina like jeans. In this article, we will introduce French work jackets made from moleskin.
The fabric called moleskin uses a slightly finer thread than jeans, so it has a unique sheen and a soft texture. Unlike jeans, the colour fades in a different way: rather than fading in stripes, as is often the case with jeans, the colour fades over the entire surface, and the areas that have been rubbed become shiny.
Moleskin jackets were originally work clothes for coal miners, so naturally they are designed to be easy to move in: the armholes are wide, the length is a little long, the body is wide, and the overall silhouette is called an A-shape, with no waist and a silhouette that falls straight from the shoulders to the bottom. This A-line shape was designed with ease of movement as a priority, and compared to the Y-line shape, which fits the body more closely, it has a somewhat cute silhouette.
The designer most famous for her A-line silhouette is Jil Sander, and an acquaintance of mine who has been in the apparel industry for many years told me that every 10 years or so, she suddenly feels the urge to wear an A-line coat from the period when Jil Sander was designing, even though she bought it 25 years ago.
I also have a field jacket from the spring/summer season of the time when Ms. Jil Sander was designing, and the silhouette is similar to the moleskin jacket in some ways, such as the exquisite A-shape, the way the reinforcement stitching is placed, and the buttons used. What's interesting is that the armholes of Jil Sander's clothes from this period are rather wide.
In terms of its form, it has a collar, left chest pocket, patch pockets on both sides, and slightly large front buttons, and it was originally designed to be used as work clothes, like military or G-jackets. This form makes it a shape that doesn't look out of place when worn as a modern outerwear. I feel that this form is closer to a G-jacket than a military jacket, so I enjoy wearing it in a G-jacket style.
The Moleskin work jacket I use is made by a company called Le Mont ST Michel, and it is said to have been in circulation from the 1930s to the 1940s. It is black in colour and I chose a size 42, which is a snug fit. If you were to wear it as work clothes, you would probably choose a size larger to make it easier to move around in, but I like this size because the shoulder width, body width, length and sleeve length match modern fashion styles.
Apart from black, the blue version is also well known, and the blue colour is more attractive because it is easier to see the ageing and the colour is more beautiful. I often wear jeans with it, so I choose the black version, but if you want to wear it with chinos or white denim, the blue version is more elegant and very attractive.
French moleskin workwear is used by various designers as a motif for casual outerwear. One famous example is TOM FORD, who has created French moleskin outerwear in a fashionable black colour, as well as a slightly more casual beige and khaki colour, while maintaining the material and shape.
TOM FORD has created a very stylish outerwear item by exquisitely shaping this A-line body. They also offer jeans and denim jackets made from moleskin, which have a different kind of tension to denim, and are a clear expression of TOM FORD's world view even in casual wear.
I often wear my Moleskin jacket over jeans and a white T-shirt or white polo shirt, but because it is a single-piece black outerwear item, it is a very convenient outerwear item that can be worn with any style of clothing.
The one I use most often is the one that is the right size, black in colour, and with very little damage, but there are also ones on sale that have been repaired with patchwork. The patchwork itself has a certain quirkiness to it, but it has a certain exquisite feel to it, and even if you deliberately choose to wear one that has been repaired, it will still be attractive.
It has a fashionable atmosphere, similar to the new Margiela collection.
- 100% cotton
- Box silhouette, A-line shape
- Shoulder width, body width and armholes are roomy
- Sleeves and body length are not too long or too short, so it is easy to match with other clothes
- Black moleskin
- 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
In this article, I have introduced the French work jacket, a classic piece of European secondhand clothing. My main focus is on American secondhand clothing, but when I combine it with European secondhand clothing, it gives off a kind of urban, fashionable feel that I find interesting and love to use.
Like jeans, it was originally workwear for labourers, and over time its functional beauty has become an attractive item, and I find it very interesting that current designers are using it as a motif.
As it is a single-piece outer garment, it is useful in the early spring and autumn, but it is also a very convenient item that can be worn in many ways, such as wrapping it around your waist during the day and wearing it at night, even in summer. As it is made of cotton, it is a matter of personal preference, but you can also enjoy wearing it in a way that you would hold it roughly in your hands and wear it without worrying about the wrinkles, as I do.
There are still many French moleskin items to be found, but as with second-hand clothes, each item is different. It can be difficult to find one that fits, but it can also be fun to take your time looking for something that suits you, so if you're interested, I think it would be fun to try looking for one.
Post78
The French moleskin jacket introduced here was purchased from Post78.
Post78 is a shop that sells many high-quality items that the owner, who loves clothes, has carefully selected, and I often shop there. I also enjoy having fashion discussions with the owner, who loves clothes, when I shop there.
'Notice Post78 does not support global shipping.'