{"product_id":"original-1950s-french-leather-work-jacket-wool-lined-vitex-zips","title":"Original 1950s French Leather Work Jacket Wool Lined Vitex Zips","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThis 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.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCut 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition \u0026amp; Restoration\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExcellent vintage condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1950s French leather work jacket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSubstantial brown leather construction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong, practical workwear cut\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore than 70 years old\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeautifully developed natural surface character\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLightly distressed appearance from genuine age and use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBroad leather shoulder yoke\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemovable deep brown wool collar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeather collar beneath\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully wool-lined body\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal checked wool body lining\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContrasting brown sleeve linings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo zipped breast pockets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo lower vertical hand pockets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeriod Vitex pocket zippers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSympathetic replacement OPTI metal main zipper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eButton-fastened sleeve tabs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBroad panelled back\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeriod buttons and hardware\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent vintage condition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGarment Measurements, Laid Flat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChest, armpit to armpit: 23\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShoulders, seam to seam: 20\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShoulder to cuff: 24\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderarm to cuff: 16.5\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBack length, base of collar to hem: 29.5\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended fit:42R - medium size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the best indication of fit, please compare the measurements above with a similar jacket you already own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBuilt 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.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Revive \u0026 Restore Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54806632595779,"sku":"EB51010","price":395.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0786\/2232\/7107\/files\/IMG_5216_2dd965b1-23a2-4db6-a3bf-0728441868d9.jpg?v=1789187036","url":"https:\/\/reviverestorevintage.co.uk\/products\/original-1950s-french-leather-work-jacket-wool-lined-vitex-zips","provider":"Revive \u0026 Restore Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}