1950s–60s French Belle Jardinière outdoor jacket

An outdoor jacket made in France during the 1950s and 60s.

It was released at the time by the historic Parisian department store Belle Jardinière as outdoor activewear.

With its rolled-up short sleeves, epaulets, and waist belt, this French vintage piece has the look of a safari jacket—it’s incredibly tempting. It’s hard not to be lured in by it.

The size is quite rare—a women’s size—but my friend received this from a French man and Japanese woman couple, who had owned it for outdoor activities like fishing and gardening. So, both pieces were nearly the same size.

A fishing life in the suburbs of Paris in the 50s and 60s. Just imagining it is lovely.

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

Complete the look with just a plain pair of slacks and a T-shirt. Add some sharp, cool accessories, and you're all set.

The condition is pristine, and the fabric is so sturdy and crisp it could be deadstock; consequently, the long, long ironing process was a joy. Haha.

As I ironed and observed it closely, I noticed the quality of the fabric, the pattern, and the meticulous stitching even on the underside of the flaps—all reminders of the beauty of old French clothing.

The crisp fabric creates a beautiful, structured silhouette, and the more you wear it over the years, the softer it will become and the better it will conform to your body.

It features a "Belle Jardinière Paris" tag at the neck and a "Kémo" maker's tag on the inner chest.

The zipper is the angular ECLAIR style often used by high-end brands. It is rust-free and functions smoothly.

Belle Jardinière, founded in 1824, was a department store that famously operated its own sewing factory. They handled not only workwear but also military, school, and motorcycle apparel, striving to keep prices affordable by utilizing the same fabrics across different lines.

As a result, they produced simple, well-made clothing without ostentatious decoration, which was beloved by the middle class.

Though I try not to use the word lightly, this is truly a testament to the bedrock of practical and sturdy French garment construction.

While it is an archival vintage piece, it is a Spring/Summer jacket that fits the mood of exactly what I want to wear right now.

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Model height - 167cm

Material - cotton

Size - fits mens S women S-L

Measurement on flat (cm)
Length 72.5
Width 51
Shoulder width 45
Sleeve length 26.8

Condition - No issues