A short history of ripstop
Ripstop—sound familiar? The name of this distinctively textured fabric comes literally from "to rip" and "stop". During the Second World War, military gear had to be exceptionally tear-resistant to protect soldiers in the harshest combat conditions.
This is how ripstop was born. The fabric originated from a textile innovation that weaves thicker reinforcing threads into a grid pattern at regular intervals. These threads prevent tears from spreading if snagged, while keeping the fabric lightweight—no need for heavy canvas when the reinforcement grid alone delivers exceptional strength.
Historically, ripstop fabrics were woven from cotton or silk, and later from polyester or other synthetic fibres. The reinforcement threads were typically nylon, which remains common today for technical outdoor gear. Our overshirts are crafted from 100% cotton ripstop woven in Japan, featuring a thicker reinforcement thread that is also made of cotton.
Ripstop’s distinctive crosshatch pattern and exceptional durability made it a fabric of choice for military jackets. It also replaced costly silk parachute canopies. Today, it is valued as a technical fabric for its breathable and water-resistant qualities. In menswear, it is used for trousers and overshirts, and even as the main material for footwear, ensuring long-lasting durability.
A military heritage
When designing our ripstop overshirt, we wanted to stay true to the military heritage integral to this fabric. Several influences meet here, all drawn from military uniform history: discover the vintage predecessors of our Le Goût du Sel overshirt.
In terms of shape, the jacket takes clear cues from two military designs: the 1960s French military shirt, pictured in the centre, and the US Army OG-107 jacket, worn by infantry troops during the Vietnam War (1955–1975). Neither jacket was originally made from ripstop.
The jungle jacket is the design made exclusively from ripstop, created to protect soldiers in the Vietnamese forests. The fabric’s resilience was a true asset in the field. The original jungle jacket is the one on the left in the picture.
A slight resemblance to ours?
The ripstop look by Crafted
