Original 1950s French Leather Work Jacket Wool Lined Vitex Zips

This is the sort of jacket that explains why French leather workwear has become so sought after. Dating from the 1950s and made for practical use rather than fashion, it belongs to a period when a leather jacket was expected to provide warmth, protection and years of service. The long body, uncomplicated construction and substantial hide give it the purposeful character of continental working clothing, while the removable wool collar and fully wool-lined body suggest a jacket intended to remain useful through colder months.

Cut from substantial brown leather, more than seventy years of wear have given the surface a character that could never convincingly be recreated. The colour moves naturally across the garment, from deep brown through softer, warmer areas where the surface has been rubbed by use. Fine scratches, softened edges and gentle creasing remain visible across the sleeves and body. Rather than overwhelming the jacket, these marks record its working life, leaving a lightly distressed surface with a particularly handsome, storied appearance.

Its construction is equally compelling. A broad shoulder yoke gives structure across the upper body before opening into large, relatively uninterrupted leather panels. Two zipped breast pockets sit high on the chest, with a further pair of vertical hand pockets below. Period Vitex pocket zippers survive, an excellent detail on a jacket of this age, while the main closure is now fitted with a sympathetic replacement OPTI metal zipper. Button-fastened sleeve tabs provide a further piece of practical period detailing.

The removable deep brown wool collar transforms the character of the jacket. Fitted, it gives the long leather body the appearance of substantial cold-weather working or riding clothing. Removed, the jacket becomes considerably more restrained, revealing the simple leather collar beneath. It is a particularly thoughtful piece of period design, effectively giving the jacket two distinct ways of being worn.

Inside is perhaps its greatest surprise. Beneath an exterior that openly carries the evidence of more than seven decades of use, the original checked wool body lining remains remarkably well preserved. The contrasting brown sleeve linings are similarly impressive. This combination of an aged leather exterior and exceptionally preserved interior is increasingly difficult to find, particularly in a jacket that was clearly constructed as functional clothing rather than a fashion piece.

There is a confidence to old French workwear that comes from its lack of unnecessary detail. Everything here has a purpose: warmth from the wool lining, additional protection from the removable collar, secure zipped chest storage, accessible lower pockets and a long leather body. What remains today is not a pristine jacket pretending to be old, but an authentic piece of working clothing whose age has become part of its appeal.

More than anything, this is a jacket for someone who wants vintage leather to look genuinely vintage. The surface has movement, variation and history, while underneath it remains a strong and remarkably well-preserved garment. Its scars have not been disguised and its character has not been polished away. It has simply been prepared for the next chapter of its life.

Condition & Restoration

Excellent vintage condition.

The brown leather remains strong, substantial and structurally sound throughout, with a beautifully developed surface character created through more than seventy years of genuine use. Natural grain, creasing, rubbing, fine scratches and areas of tonal variation are present across the garment, giving the leather its lightly distressed and unmistakably vintage appearance.

The removable deep brown wool collar remains in excellent condition and presents particularly well. The original checked wool body lining is exceptionally well preserved for its age, remaining clean, complete and remarkably fresh. The contrasting brown sleeve linings are similarly well preserved.

The jacket has been specialist leather cleaned and conditioned in-house, with care taken to preserve its established character. As part of the restoration, the leather has also been carefully reshaped to reduce undesirable set-in creasing caused by prolonged wear and storage, restoring a more natural structure and drape without altering the jacket's original construction or removing the character of the hide.

The period Vitex pocket zippers have been refurbished, cleaned, waxed and polished and operate smoothly. The original main zipper is no longer present and has been sympathetically replaced with an OPTI metal zipper that complements the jacket's period appearance and operates correctly. The buttons and remaining hardware have also been carefully cleaned while retaining their naturally aged finish.

Overall, this is an exceptionally well-preserved example of 1950s French leather workwear, retaining the age, surface character and period details collectors look for while remaining strong, wearable and ready for continued use.

Key Features

• 1950s French leather work jacket
• Substantial brown leather construction
• Long, practical workwear cut
• More than 70 years old
• Beautifully developed natural surface character
• Lightly distressed appearance from genuine age and use
• Broad leather shoulder yoke
• Removable deep brown wool collar
• Leather collar beneath
• Fully wool-lined body
• Original checked wool body lining
• Contrasting brown sleeve linings
• Two zipped breast pockets
• Two lower vertical hand pockets
• Period Vitex pocket zippers
• Sympathetic replacement OPTI metal main zipper
• Button-fastened sleeve tabs
• Broad panelled back
• Period buttons and hardware
• Excellent vintage condition

Garment Measurements, Laid Flat

• Chest, armpit to armpit: 23"
• Shoulders, seam to seam: 20"
• Shoulder to cuff: 24"
• Underarm to cuff: 16.5"
• Back length, base of collar to hem: 29.5"

Recommended fit:42R - medium size

For the best indication of fit, please compare the measurements above with a similar jacket you already own.

Built as working clothing and worn long enough to acquire a history of its own, this is French vintage leather at its most compelling, substantial, practical and full of character.