Here in the UK, the weather is beginning to improve; spring is in the air. With warmer temperatures it’s now not totally essential to layer-up every one goes outside and thoughts are turning to lightweight attire. When doing some research online into springtime jackets, I was reminded of the word ‘blouson’. It’s a term that my dad used a lot when I was younger and I never really understood what a ‘blouson’ was.

So then, what is a ‘blouson’?

The origin of the word ‘Blouson’ is probably from the French word ‘blouse’, first recorded in English in 1828… Now, ‘blouse’ sounds a bit girly to our modern ears, however in history, the word wasn’t gender specific: The meaning could come from “workman’s or peasant’s smock”. The derivation may also be from the Provençal dialect words for “wool”, blouso or “short wool”.

Men working in blouse-like garments in George Stubbs’ 1785 painting ‘Reapers’.

The Cambridge Dictionary says that a ‘Blouson’ is a “loose, short jacket that is worn on the upper body and fits tightly around the waist” and in modern parlance, this is what the term has come to mean: A very generic name for a jacket that fits these traits.

Blousons have many references in history; however it was the Second World War that helped form what we now recognise as this classic jacket shape. The ‘Eisenhower Jacket’ and ‘Bombardier Jacket’ or ‘Bomber Jacket’ are notable examples.

Think of it this way: A shirt tucked into your belt line and then pulled out slightly so it sits slightly out and over your waist, this is ‘blousing’. Typically, blousons fit more loosely around the torso than at the waist, where they are gathered or darted.

A firm favourite of this blog is the Harrington Jacket; a lightweight blouson with a soft, buttoned collar that can be raised. 

Generally speaking, a Harrington jacket is gathered at the waist with an elasticated band. The Harrington Jackets featured here are from Baracuta and Ben Sherman – perfect for spring.

Of course, the blouson shape is not restricted to the Harrington Jacket, there are a great many numbers of variations including…

The Letterman or Varsity Jackets

Monkey Jackets

Bomber Jackets

And many types of leather jackets, flying jackets, packaways and much more.

Notable examples of blousons in popular culture are… Ryan Gosling’s shimmering driving jacket from DRIVE.

James Dean’s windcheater in REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE.

And Walter White’s everyday attire in BREAKING BAD.

If you’re looking for a suitable additional layer for the spring, consider a blouson. As a very versatile piece of attire and with a huge array of choices, you’re sure to find something that works for you.

Thanks to the below for the images.

The Tate Britain, Classic Hollywood Central, UGO, One Mick Jones, Vice,  Emen Fashion, La Redoute, Kitsune, Asos, Baracuta, Fred Perry, Ben Sherman and Peter Werth

Movie Monday: Ryan Gosling’s Jacket in DRIVE.

Movie Monday is a new feature on Good Clobber. Street level fashion is so often influenced by the world of film and television that it’s very much worth commenting on here. So, every Monday I’m going to cover a little bit of fashion or clothing from the silver screen (and sometimes the small screen too).

DRIVE is due to be released in the UK on Friday 23rd September (that’s this week!) from Icon Film Distribution and it’s getting a lot of hype. Notable UK film magazine Little White Lies dedicated a issue to DRIVE and I know a few people who have already seen the film; reactions for which have been very good.

The trailer is immensely cool (check it out at the bottom) and it looks as if the film oozes style. The main point of attraction for this blog is Ryan Reynold’s jacket.

Burnished and gleaming, the jacket looks to be silver or gold in many of the press images but I think it’s actually white satin. It’s got a classic sports-jacket shape with elasticated cuffs and waist.

It’s not too far off a Harrington Jacket, but looks to be quilted. The central zip leads up to a dark collar that folds back on itself. The sleeves meet the body of the jacket in what’s called a ‘bi-swing back’ or ‘action back’ where a rear insert panel of material is folded to allow more movement in the shoulder area. How appropriate for a character in an action film who, I imagine, will be vigorously turning a steering wheel under high pressure.

Director Nicholas Winding Refn commented in an interview with IFC.com that the jacket is a bespoke creation, chosen by Gosling and designed to stand out:

“I wanted [Gosling] to wear a white satin jacket that would illuminate him at night. Good actors find their own costumes, so Ryan found a type of jacket that he really liked. And then we had that type of jacket made in satin. And then on top of that we incorporated the scorpion logo on the back.”

There’s a great review of the film from the attire-interested film blog Clothes on Film that you should read here, in which a really intriguing observation is made: “A man of few words, Gosling speaks through movement: his walk is gliding, his profile aquiline, and his dress sense is pimped up. In short, he pretty much is a car.”

I asked a friend, who has seen the film, to give me a couple of words on what they thought. The excited response is testament to how worth-while DRIVE is:

“After the opening credits you’ll have decided that it’s already one of the coolest films that you’ve seen for a long time. Slow-motion shots, lingering fades and 80’s throwback music provide the backdrop for extreme violence, which together give the film an electricity that will leave your nerves tingling and your heart beat pounding. It’s by no means perfect, but by the end you’re not really sure if you care.”

Check out the trailer below.

There are actually two other jackets worn in the film by Gosling; a classic Levi’s denim jacket and another sports jacket, this time in grey. They look equally brilliant. Our praise goes to the people behind the costumes for DRIVE; they really know what they’re doing.

Thanks to Icon and the below for the images.

Dallas Observer, Film Jackets (and Just Jared), Socialite Life, BuzzFeed, Beyond Hollywood and HeyUGuys and Clothes on Film.