The safari jacket is one of those pieces that pass through the decades without ageing a day. Born in military ranks at the start of the 20th century, designed for hot climates and demanding terrain, it gradually established itself in the civilian wardrobe as an essential of utilitarian style. At Coulange 1918, we work it with the same care as the models that equipped troops nearly a century ago — respecting the original cut, but with renewed standards for fabrics and finishing.
A long-staple cotton, chosen to last
The M47 Safari Jacket is made in long-staple cotton. This choice is not incidental: long fibers offer greater natural strength, better color retention and a texture that takes on an elegant patina wash after wash. The fabric, dense without being stiff, breathes — making it an ideal companion for the in-between seasons as well as for summer evenings. It has a frank hand and a discreet yet assured presence. It structures the silhouette without constraining it, a balance that only good materials allow.
Four pockets, an architecture that makes sense
Four patch bellows pockets: two on the chest, two at the waist. The safari jacket is first and foremost a field garment, designed for efficiency. Each pocket has its purpose: carrying a map, a notebook, the essentials within reach without needing a bag. We have kept this original architecture, not out of nostalgia, but because it works — and function, when well executed, becomes a form in itself. The button flaps and bellows are cut on the straight grain of the fabric, a sewing constraint that ensures the pockets keep their shape year after year.
A straight cut, a considered drape
The line of the M47 is straight, clean, without artifice. It follows the body without tightening around it. The discreet integrated belt lets you cinch the silhouette closely or leave it loose, depending on the look you want. Worn open over a light top, closed with canvas trousers, thrown over the shoulders at the end of the day: the safari jacket lends itself to every interpretation. This versatility is no accident. It comes from a pattern reworked in our French workshop, where every centimeter of drape is weighed.
Assembled in our French workshop
Each M47 Safari Jacket is assembled in our French workshop. The buttons are sewn on one by one, the seams are doubled at stress points, and the interior finishing receives the same care as what is visible. It is patient work that does not catch the eye at first glance, but reveals itself as it is worn and over time. It is also a way of working that reflects who we are: never cutting corners, never sacrificing the invisible to the visible.
A timeless garment
The safari jacket escapes the cycles. It belongs to no season and answers to no trend. It was worn in 1947, it has crossed the decades, and it is as relevant today as it was then. This permanence is precisely what we seek at Coulange 1918: to design pieces that stand the test of time, not in spite of their simplicity, but because of it.