Dating to approximately the 1940s, this is a Blue Moleskin Work Jacket by Adolphe Lafont.
A special arrival.
Among French workwear brands, Adolphe Lafont holds a particularly prominent place.
Adolphe Lafont was established in 1844 by Adolphe Lafont, an early merchant, in Lyon, France.
Originally a textile merchant, the house expanded when his son, Adolphe Benoît Lafont, added a tailor's workshop in 1875.
Subsequently, Adolphe Benoît's son, also named Adolphe Lafont, began manufacturing work clothes as the foundation of the brand.
The first item produced was a carpenter's trouser made from corduroy.
He registered the trademark 'Adolphe Lafont Lyon' in 1896, and after outfitting laborers across generations, he passed away in 1952.
From Adolphe Lafont, a house with nearly two centuries of heritage, we present the quintessential French workwear staple: the Blue Moleskin Jacket.
A garment crafted from Moleskin, the defining fabric of French vintage workwear.
The name derives from its texture, said to resemble the skin of a mole.
Upon handling, you will notice a smoothness and weight that belies the cotton construction.
The secret lies in the weave structure.
Moleskin is produced through what is known as satin weave, a technique creating exceptional density and surface character.
Satin weave employs warp and weft threads numbering five or more in its basic structure, resulting in minimal float and a surface where only warp or weft appears visible.
It is characterized by high density, substantial weight, flexibility, smoothness, and a pronounced luster.
This dense, thick yet supple moleskin was precisely why it became the preferred material for workwear—capable of enduring the rigorous demands of labor.
This example displays the characteristic ink blue of classic French workwear, its color faded through use and time—the very essence of vintage patina.
As an actual working garment of its era, its functionality remains uncompromised.
It features the beloved details: a generously rounded collar, an A-line silhouette, and V-pockets.
The interior bears a Adolphe Lafont-specific embroidered label in red and white on black ground.
Such embroidered labels represent an earlier period, most commonly encountered on pieces from the 1930s through 1940s.
An Adolphe Lafont piece commands respect within French workwear circles.
Its value exceeds that of many contemporaries, and rarity increases significantly with age.
No size tag is present, though it appears to correspond to a Japanese M.
Measured against typical Japanese proportions, this represents an ideal wearing size, suitable across a range of builds.
It works equally well fitted or worn with a relaxed silhouette.
The fabric bears its expected patina: color variation, wear marks, fading, surface abrasion, and minor repairs. No damage impairs wearability.
Adolphe Lafont occupies an irreplaceable position in any discussion of French workwear.
Older examples become increasingly scarce.
Whether for regular wear or as part of a considered collection, this is a piece without compromise.
Such items arrive infrequently at our shop, and if you have been searching for one, this opportunity warrants your attention.
