[~50’s] French China Indigo Cotton Work Jacket Size.54

This is an ``indigo cotton work jacket'' made in Shanghai, probably around the 1950s.

"French China Jacket" has a unique presence even in vintage style.

Although it has the word "China" in its name, it is actually an extremely practical and highly symbolic piece of workwear that has penetrated deeply into port towns, immigrant communities, and labor sites in France since the first half of the 20th century, and eventually acquired a unique position in urban culture.

It is known that indigo work clothes called "Bleu de Chine / Bleu de Shanghai", which were originally worn as work clothes for workers in China, traveled to France through shipping and trade networks, and became established as clothing rooted in the lives of sailors, fishermen, and dock workers, mainly in port cities on the Mediterranean coast.

At the time, in France, especially in cities with ports, people and goods were constantly coming and going, and practical items from other countries were naturally accepted as "clothes that could be used in the field."
French china can be said to be another lineage of workwear that was nurtured with the atmosphere of the times.

The fabrics used were mainly indigo-based cotton, and the texture varied depending on the item, such as the rough weave and the feel of the fabric, which contained naps.
The discoloration that occurs with repeated wearing and washing creates a depth that is different from the fading of French work, highlighting the unique presence of vintage items.

Another important point is that French china is not just a "French-made uniform", but rather a garment that has a strong influence on the context of import and distribution.

There are pieces that continued to be produced in China with French labels attached, and pieces whose details changed during the distribution process, and there are noticeable differences in tag notation and construction due to differences in age, so even the same name has a variety of backgrounds.

For this reason, even though it is mass-produced workwear, it is still highly regarded as having a depth that goes beyond being simply a "work jacket," as it has multiple stories that overlap, such as the labor culture of port towns, the history of immigration, and the fashionization of cities.

Although this item is a "French China jacket made in Shanghai," its most distinctive feature is its "coverall" design, which is very similar to the French work jackets of the same era, unlike the placket that is typical of the typical China jacket.

It has a rounded collar, button front design, and a rugged, boxy silhouette. While retaining the so-called "French China" context, the appearance is very close to French work.
Its exquisite hybrid feel is directly linked to its persuasiveness when worn.

The pockets are a total of 3 pockets, one chest pocket and both hem pockets, which are familiar to French work jackets.

What's even more noteworthy is Indigo's expression.
Unlike French indigo, this indigo dye has a deeper tone with a more "ink-like" feel, giving you a strong sense of the mood of Shanghai.

It's not just blue, it's got a deep, submerged look to it, so no matter what item you match it with, it will add a mature look to your overall look.

The various white stitches stand out against the deep indigo color.
The white stitching that runs around the pockets and on the placket functions as a "design line" that gives a visual outline, and while it is a reinforcing detail derived from work, it is an outstanding fashion accent.

This item uses "100% cotton" fabric.
However, looking at the strong nep that appears on the fabric surface and the dry appearance, it feels like it has a texture reminiscent of a linen blend.

The weave is based on a plain weave, and it is not a stiff canvas, but has a slightly thinner and soft texture.
Therefore, although it has the atmosphere of work, it feels gentle when worn.

The fabric feels light, soft, and breathable rather than tough.
The more you wear it, the more you wear it, the more the NEP shading becomes familiar, and combined with the indigo color, you can expect the taste to gradually increase over time.

The size notation is "54"
I think it corresponds to "L" in Japanese size.

Even if you look at the actual size, it will feel like a large size, so even people with large bodies can wear it without any problems.

Although it shows some signs of use due to age, it is in good condition with no noticeable stains or scratches.
Of course, there is no major damage that would make it difficult to wear, so I think it can still be worn.

The "French China Jacket", which embodies the word "functional beauty" and has a different origin and distribution history from French work, is a masterpiece that still conveys a simple and powerful appearance as workwear derived from a different culture rooted in the French lifestyle.