{"product_id":"original-1950s-grillon-french-vachette-leather-workwear-jacket","title":"Original 1950s Grillon French Vachette Leather Workwear Jacket","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eSome vintage jackets survive because they were hardly worn. This one clearly survived for the opposite reason. Made in France by Grillon around the 1940s to 1950s, it comes from a period when substantial leather outerwear was serious working equipment, worn across industry, transport and outdoor occupations where warmth, protection and durability mattered considerably more than appearance.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFactory and engineering work, transport, railway work and other exposed occupations created a need for leather clothing capable of resisting abrasion while providing protection from cold and difficult conditions. The long body and heavily insulated construction of this Grillon belong naturally to that world. Its original illustrated label is particularly evocative, carrying the words “Pluie... Vent... Neige”, translating simply as “Rain... Wind... Snow.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than seventy years later, the working life of the jacket is written directly into its leather. Cut from exceptionally soft brown vachette cowhide, the hide has developed a remarkably pliant, broken-in handle through decades of genuine use. Deep brown survives across quieter areas, while repeated movement and contact have revealed chestnut, tobacco and warm tan through the shoulders, sleeves, seams and pocket edges. Fine scratches, rubbing, creasing and softened edges remain throughout, creating an irregular natural patina that could never convincingly be reproduced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConstruction is direct and purposeful. A traditional pointed collar sits above the full-length metal front zipper, while a broad horizontal yoke gives structure across the upper chest and shoulders. Two large flap-covered pockets provide secure storage high on the front, accompanied by a further pair of lower hand pockets. The extended, straight-cut body provides generous coverage, while the uncomplicated back leaves large expanses of beautifully aged leather uninterrupted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside, the character changes completely. Thick cream pile lines the body, providing substantial insulation while remaining remarkably well preserved against the heavily aged exterior. Contrasting burgundy and cream striped sleeve linings add an excellent period detail, while an internal zipped pocket and lower-body adjustment arrangements reveal further practical thought in the original construction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a compelling contrast between the two sides of the garment. Outside, every softened edge, scratch and shift in colour records decades of use. Inside, the pale pile remains surprisingly complete and substantial. Beneath all of that history is a jacket that remains strong, comfortable and entirely wearable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was built as working clothing and has clearly lived the life expected of it. What remains today is something increasingly difficult to find: an authentic piece of mid-century leather workwear whose extraordinary appearance was created through use rather than manufactured to imitate it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe history is in the leather itself.\u003c\/em\u003e\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\u003eVery good vintage condition for a working leather jacket of this age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brown vachette cowhide remains strong, exceptionally soft and structurally sound. Decades of genuine use have given the leather a beautifully pliant handle, together with extensive naturally developed patina. The surface ranges from deeper brown through chestnut and tobacco to considerably lighter tan at points of prolonged contact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNatural scratches, rubbing, creasing, softened edges and areas of finish wear are present throughout. These are consistent with the age and working origins of the garment and form an important part of its established character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe thick cream pile body lining is remarkably well preserved considering the evident working life of the exterior. The contrasting burgundy and cream striped sleeve linings also survive particularly well, while the original illustrated Grillon label remains present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe jacket has been specialist leather cleaned and conditioned in-house, with care taken to preserve the exceptionally soft handle and naturally developed surface character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs 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 main zipper and surviving hardware have been carefully cleaned and serviced while retaining their naturally aged appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, the jacket retains exactly what matters: strong and beautifully broken-in leather, an exceptionally well-preserved insulated interior, original period details and the unmistakable character of decades of genuine 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\u003eOriginal Grillon leather workwear jacket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCirca 1940s to 1950s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in France\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEclair zip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal illustrated “Pluie... Vent... Neige” Grillon label\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExceptionally soft brown vachette cowhide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSubstantial yet highly pliant leather\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore than 70 years of genuine age and wear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExceptional naturally developed patina\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeep brown, chestnut, tobacco and warm tan tonal variation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTraditional pointed leather collar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull-length metal front zipper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBroad chest and shoulder yoke\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo flap-covered upper pockets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo lower hand pockets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong protective workwear cut\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBroad panelled back\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThick cream pile body lining\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContrasting burgundy and cream striped sleeve linings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternal zipped pocket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternal lower-body adjustment details\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal period construction and hardware\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecialist restored in-house\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong and fully wearable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery good 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: 19.5\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShoulder seam to cuff: 22.5\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderarm seam to cuff: 16\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBack length, base of collar to hem: 32\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis jacket was originally made with slightly shorter sleeves and is best suited to approximately a 42\" chest, particularly for someone who prefers or requires a shorter sleeve length. As with many mid-century garments, the proportions reflect the individual sizing for which it was originally made.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Revive \u0026 Restore Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54812058321219,"sku":"EB5112","price":350.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0786\/2232\/7107\/files\/IMG_5271_8274d1f8-72f4-4937-8cd7-7da39c285718.jpg?v=1789372656","url":"https:\/\/reviverestorevintage.co.uk\/products\/original-1950s-grillon-french-vachette-leather-workwear-jacket","provider":"Revive \u0026 Restore Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}