GERVAISE: A WOMEN’S WORK JACKET from BLEU DE CHAUFFE
As a tribute to the jackets worn by French railway workers in the early 20th century, Bleu de Chauffe has brought the ‘bleu de chauffe’ – the jacket that gave the company its name – back to life. Initially with the Germinal, a contemporary masculine version, and now in an elegant feminine model that remains true to the workwear spirit: the Gervaise jacket, made entirely in France just like its masculine counterpart.
OUR INSPIRATION: THE ‘BLEU DE TRAVAIL’
The bleu de travail was an emblematic item of clothing worn by workers in the late 19th and early 20th century. This heavy-duty work jacket in blue cotton canvas was sturdy and easy to clean.
The bleu de travail gradually became a uniform for workers and is still worn today by many manual laborers.
Made from moleskin or cotton twill, it was a straight-cut jacket with a subtle waist, shirt collar, and three patch pockets. Nowadays, some bleu de travail jackets, still worn by manual workers, are not made entirely from cotton: synthetic fibers are added to the fabric to lower production costs and make it easier to clean.
The bleu de travail soon began to be worn by people outside the world of manual work, such as farmers and deliverymen and women, and later by artists such as painters and sculptors. The bleu de chauffe was the version worn by railway workers at the beginning of the 20th century.
Adopted by French students in May 1968 as a sign of support for the working classes, the bleu de travail, a timeless item of clothing, has since spread throughout the world of fashion.
The bleu de travail can now be found in various different styles and colors, adapted to suit the uses and occasions of modern life. This French work jacket has found fame well beyond the borders of France, and modern versions of the bleu de travail are highly sought-after abroad.
THE GERVAISE JACKET from BLEU DE CHAUFFE: AN ELEGANT NEW ARRIVAL FROM THE WORLD OF WORKWEAR
The story of Bleu de Chauffe began with updated versions of French work bags from the 20th century adapted for the modern world, so it was only natural that we should pay tribute to our workwear roots and the jacket that gave us our name by taking a fresh look at the bleu de chauffe with two casual, urban, stylish models for men and women.
Like our other bags and accessories, our Gervaise jackets are made entirely in France, from soft yet sturdy cotton canvas: organic cotton moleskin spun and woven in France, with a close weave that makes it super soft to the touch. The buttons are made from recycled plant-based resin, also manufactured in France.
The Gervaise is a timeless, contemporary, multifunctional, and stylish jacket that retains the workwear details that define a bleu de chauffe: straight, wide cut, shirt collar, three patch pockets, and one inside pocket (on the Gervaise this pocket has space for a smartphone). It can be worn over a t-shirt or something smarter. Its casual, elegant look makes it ideal for leisure and work, or for an evening out.
Our Gervaise jacket is a timeless piece, a decidedly feminine tribute to France’s workwear heritage. It is our vision of fashion, where style meets a lifestyle which is more down-to-earth, more sustainable.
