A French hunting jacket in green cotton canvas, estimated from the 1950s.
The hunting jacket is a staple of French workwear.
At the time, these were worn by the upper classes as sporting attire and leisure wear.
Made seldom as workwear, and worn only by a privileged few for sport and recreation, these pieces were not mass-produced by brands. Rather, they were crafted to order—a single luxury garment.
When one thinks of French workwear hunting jackets, cotton piqué and corduroy fabrics typically come to mind. This example, however, is rendered in a rare green cotton.
The green is not a deep hue, but rather a fresh, mint-like tone—the sort that elevates earthy styling into something altogether refined.
Cotton canvas often carries the reputation of being stiff and difficult to wear. This piece, however, has softened considerably through time, allowing for unstressed wear.
It possesses the generous rounded collar and A-line silhouette characteristic of French design—details that remain coveted.
As befits a hunting jacket, the back is fitted with a substantial game pocket for carrying game.
The interior bears a double-name printed label.
Notably, this piece is among the select few fitted with a chin strap.
The presence or absence of a chin strap makes an immeasurable difference.
Beyond its value as an object, when the collar is raised, the presence of a chin strap confers an unmistakable air—something altogether distinctive.
Finding examples with a chin strap across any era is remarkably difficult. The timing of this piece's arrival could not be better.
No size marking is visible, though it appears to correspond to S–M.
Hunting jackets tend to run large, but this example is distinctly compact—a rarity that suits smaller frames.
It reads beautifully when worn with generous proportion as well.
Fading, soiling, creasing, loose threads, and repair marks throughout create an overall sense of use. Yet this is precisely the condition in which to fully appreciate vintage character.
No significant damage impeding wear is evident; we trust it will continue to be worn and repaired for years ahead.
Such heavily worn pieces find modest domestic interest, yet abroad they are highly sought and actively collected.
Green examples among hunting jackets are particularly rare. Should you be searching for one, this moment warrants attention.
