The legacy of an iconic piece
Born in distant lands and reinvented by the Parisian fashion houses, the safari jacket has crossed the decades without ever yielding to the whims of fashion. This belted jacket with patch pockets, cut from breathable fabrics, embodies a functional elegance that has won women over since Yves Saint Laurent. Military and poetic, utilitarian and refined, it is that rare garment worn as easily over jeans as over an evening dress.
Why the safari jacket is the centrepiece of summer
Summer calls for clothes that breathe. With its open cut and noble materials — French linen, long-staple cotton, light gabardine — the safari jacket lets air circulate while covering the shoulders when evening falls. Unlike the blazer, which constrains, it follows movement without ever restricting it. It offers the discreet presence sought by women who dress for themselves, without ostentation.
Its versatility is unmatched. Over a silk dress in the morning, over fluid trousers in the evening, the safari jacket adapts to every moment of the day. It is not put away, it is worn — and that is precisely what makes it a lasting investment in a considered wardrobe.
In an age when clothing is consumed and discarded, the safari jacket carries a promise of permanence. A piece one passes on rather than replaces.
How to choose your safari jacket
Fabric, the first language of beauty
A safari jacket is not chosen by eye alone — it is chosen by touch. French linen, naturally slightly creased, has an authenticity that synthetics will never imitate. Long-staple cotton offers perfect structure and immediate freshness. Cashmere, in lighter weights, brings an almost unreal softness against the skin.
At Coulange 1918, every material has been sourced with the same exacting standards for more than a century. The Maison's workshops select fabrics that age beautifully, gaining character season after season.
The cut, a question of balance
The safari jacket comes in two main silhouettes: the straight cut, which falls cleanly from the shoulders, and the belted cut, which defines the waist with precision. The first suits slender figures; the second flatters every body shape by creating a point of visual tension. The ideal length stops at mid-thigh — long enough to cover, never so long as to weigh down.
Colour, a personal grammar
Sand, deep khaki, ecru — natural shades are the original vocabulary of the safari jacket. They go with everything, in every season. For those seeking a stronger presence, midnight blue or black create a more graphic silhouette without losing elegance.
Our Coulange 1918 women's safari jackets come in a palette designed to see summer after summer without ever going out of style.
How to wear the safari jacket in summer: three looks
By day — effortless ease
Over raw denim jeans and a silk camisole, the safari jacket brings the structure that turns a simple outfit into true style. Worn open, sleeves rolled up, it pairs with flat sandals and a vintage leather tote. Nothing forced, everything just right.
At dusk — fluid elegance
Over a long jersey dress, the belted safari jacket replaces the evening cardigan with quiet authority. The patch pockets bring a masculine counterpoint to the fluidity of the dress — this controlled imbalance is the very essence of French elegance. Add a silk scarf and heeled sandals, and the look is complete.
Travelling — the art of transition
Few jackets move as easily through airports, impromptu dinners and Venetian strolls. The safari jacket folds without creasing, is worn over linen trousers, and holds in its four pockets everything needed for a day without a bag. It is the garment of the woman who travels light without ever sacrificing style.
The savoir-faire of Coulange 1918
Since 1918, Maison Coulange has upheld an exceptional French savoir-faire. Each safari jacket is made in the Maison's workshops — laser cutting, traditional assembly, finishing done piece by piece by experienced makers who master techniques passed down from generation to generation.
Our women's jackets and coats embody this philosophy: pieces designed to last, cut from exceptional materials, carried by an elegance that is not claimed — it is simply evident.
Discover our collection of safari jackets.
A safari jacket is not a purchase. It is an entry into the Maison.