1950s-60s French Belle Jardinière gardening jacket

A French outdoor cotton jacket from the 50s-60s.

It was released at the time by the long-established Parisian department store,

Belle Jardinière, as outdoor activewear.

I had put it back in storage for the winter, but now that it's getting warmer, I'm thrilled to release it once again. It's a truly magnificent piece I'm very proud of.

With its folded short sleeves and waist belt, this French vintage piece has the look of a safari jacket—I find it incredibly striking and alluring.

The size is a rare women’s fit; a friend of mine received it from a couple consisting of a French man and a Japanese woman,

who reportedly wore it while out fishing or gardening back in the day.

A fishing life in the Paris suburbs in the 50s-60s. Just imagining it is so charming.

That said, for us today, it is a sophisticated, mature vintage piece.

Since this jacket is so undeniably cool, I'd keep everything else simple and just pair it with a really sharp piece of jewelry.

It’s also lovely layered over long sleeves this time of year, or perhaps even paired with shorts.

The silhouette is beautiful whether worn casually draped or cinched with the belt.

The condition is so pristine you’d think it was deadstock, and the fabric is a sturdy, crisp cotton.

I spent a long time carefully ironing out the stubborn wrinkles, all the while falling in love with the quality and aura of the fabric.

It features the Belle Jardinière Paris tag at the neck. Founded in 1824, Belle Jardinière was a department store that apparently housed its own sewing factory,

handling everything from workwear to military, school, and motorcycle apparel, aiming to offer affordable prices by standardizing their fabrics.

As a result, they produced high-quality, simple garments without flashy ornamentation, beloved by the middle class.

I try not to use this word lightly, but this is a manufacturer that truly embodies the sturdy and practical spirit of French craftsmanship.

Though it is an archival vintage item, it’s exactly the kind of spring/summer jacket I want to wear right now.

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Model height - 167cm

Material - cotton

Size - women M fits wide (S-L)

Measurement on flat - (cm)
Length 75.5
Width 52
Shoulder width 42
Sleeve length 24.5

Condition - There is some overall sun fading on the back and elsewhere, but it is not an issue.