An old French black chambray work coat.
It is one of the undisputed masterpieces of French vintage, often referred to as "black chambray," but personally, I prefer calling it an "atelier coat."
As the name suggests, it is famous for being worn as an overcoat by artists and art students while painting, but it was widely used across France by farmers and horse traders (it’s said that wool and grass don’t stick to it easily), and even versions for children existed.
The charm of these atelier coats lies in their individuality; because of their varied uses, each piece tells a different story through paint splatters or numerous repairs made over time.
This particular piece has minimal damage and repairs, but I am very fond of the large square patch on the back. It looks just like a brand tag.
I don't think there are any unpleasant or conspicuous stains, but please take your time to look over the condition as shown in the photos.
I personally have been a long-time fan of the atelier coat, and I truly believe the fabric on all of these is exceptional.
Over time, the fabric has softened to a shirt-like weight, yet it remains sturdy while being thin and breathable, making it the perfect light layer for early spring.
That shirt-jacket weight unique to French black chambray is something that just cannot be described with other materials.
It’s in the details: the shorter, wider sleeves, the three-dimensional tubular sleeve construction unique to French vintage, and the pockets placed near the hip bone, which create a voluminous, horizontally long silhouette when you put your hands in them—everything about it is fantastic, honestly. I'd love for you to see it in the worn photos.
In terms of size, it's a "free size" that fits a wide range of women from S to L, and for men, it is recommended for those with a slim to average build.
Atelier coats were only produced up until the 1960s, but based on details like the buttons, I estimate this one to be from the 1940s-50s.
By the way, the original buttons were glass, but the 3rd and 4th have been replaced with plastic ones.
It has been washed once.
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Model height - 167cm
Material - Cotton.
Size - Fits woman L mens M
Measurement on flat - (cm)
Length 99.5
Width 58
Shoulder width 48
Sleeve length 51.5
Condition - No issues.
