Circa 1950s, a Blue Metis work jacket manufactured in France.
A special acquisition.
The work jacket—an essential element of French vintage style.
During that era, such jackets were widely worn as workwear throughout France's mines, factories, and farms.
The fabrics varied considerably—cotton twill, moleskin, cotton piqué, corduroy, wool—each chosen for its working environment and the period's demands.
This particular piece employs Metis—a cotton-linen blend that remains rare and highly sought in French vintage contexts.
The hand suggests a higher linen proportion, allowing the characteristic ripple and luminosity of French linen to fully express itself. We estimate the blend to be approximately eighty percent linen, twenty percent cotton.
Within French workwear, metis fabric commands considerable regard. It is a material one searches for but seldom discovers.
The indigo fading particular to metis remains largely absent, suggesting the piece has yet to fully develop its patina. This offers the pleasure of witnessing its evolution in your hands.
Like vintage denim, older indigo metis shows differential color breaking between warp and weft, yielding a depth of tone that becomes entirely singular over time.
While seasonal fabrics such as corduroy or wool restrict wear to colder months, metis permits year-round use, ensuring broader relevance within your wardrobe.
In detail: five front buttons, a patch pocket on the chest, patch pockets at either hip—the foundational vocabulary of the work jacket.
Inside, an embroidered tag from Le Mineur, grey ground with red lettering.
Such embroidered tags mark an earlier era. Many seek them.
The tag bears "SANFOR" notation, indicating preshrunk treatment. This suggests production sometime after the early 1950s.
The blue commands attention—a deep tone suggestive of indigo linen, positioned between ink blue and indigo proper.
While indigo examples are sought after, this presents its own distinct character.
No size marking remains, though measurements align with a Japanese size L to XL.
The piece runs generous, accommodating a substantial frame without compromise.
It reads well worn as-is or oversized.
Signs of use appear—soiling, abrasion, minor repair—yet nothing precludes further wear. The piece retains its service.
Among French fabrics, metis remains rare and commanding in regard.
For those devoted to French vintage, this is a piece worth securing.
It serves equally well as wardrobe and collection.
Pieces of this caliber arrive seldom. Should you have sought it, now presents the occasion.
