A black moleskin work jacket by Adolphe Lafont, estimated from the 1950s.
Adolphe Lafont, particularly renowned among French workwear brands.
The brand was founded in 1844 in Lyon, France by the first merchant Adolphe Lafont.
Originally a fabric merchant, Adolphe Lafont expanded into tailoring in 1875 when Adolphe Benoit Lafont, the founder's son, established a workshop.
Subsequently, the third-generation Adolphe Lafont began manufacturing work clothes as the foundation of the brand.
The first item produced was a carpenter pant made from corduroy.
He registered the trademark "Adolphe Lafont Lyon" in 1896, and after dressing workers for generations thereafter, he passed away in 1952.
From Adolphe Lafont, a brand with nearly 200 years of history, we present the "black moleskin jacket"—an enduring staple of French workwear.
A piece crafted from "moleskin," the definitive fabric of French vintage wear.
The name reportedly derives from the texture of the fabric itself, reminiscent of a mole's skin.
Upon handling, one discovers a smoothness and weight that belies its cotton composition.
The secret lies in the weaving technique itself.
Moleskin is constructed using a satin weave—one of the three primary weaving structures.
Satin weaving employs five or more warp and weft threads, creating minimal float and resulting in a surface where only the warp or weft threads are visible.
The characteristics are density, weight, flexibility, smoothness, and pronounced lustre.
It was precisely this high-density, thick yet flexible moleskin that made it the natural choice for workwear—garments subjected to the most demanding labour.
This example employs black moleskin, scarcer still than its blue counterpart, making it a particularly luxurious piece.
The versatility of black has meant many seek such a jacket.
Having served as actual workwear when produced, the functionality remains beyond question.
Work jackets in black moleskin are notably uncommon regardless of era, maker, or condition, and thus highly sought.
A Adolphe Lafont piece elevates this rarity considerably.
Any piece bearing the Adolphe Lafont mark commands respect within the French workwear canon.
Its value exceeds that of other makers, and the older the piece, the greater its significance.
It possesses the generous rounded collar and V-pocket details that remain popular.
Inside, a printed label distinctive to Adolphe Lafont manufacturing.
An uncommon label, it likely represents a transitional period between the popular "human figure" tag and the later red ground with white embroidered label.
No size marking remains visible, though measurements suggest alignment with Japanese size L to XL.
The actual measurements indicate a generous fit, accommodating larger frames without difficulty.
The piece works equally well worn to size or oversized.
While evidence of wear is present—scuffing and the like—no significant damage impedes wear. The jacket remains entirely wearable.
Adolphe Lafont stands as an essential name in any discussion of French workwear—a brand whose earlier examples grow increasingly difficult to locate.
A piece meriting a place in either an active wardrobe or a considered collection.
Adolphe Lafont black moleskin work jackets arrive rarely at our shop, so for those seeking such a piece, we suggest acting without delay.
