Moleskin: Not Fuzzy Critters but the Fabric Hero of the Workwear World

Photo caption: Workers in "Bleu de Travail", French blue moleskin workwear

Think workwear, and your brain's probably painting a picture of those trusty denim jeans, that no-nonsense canvas jacket, and boots so heavy you'd swear they have their own gravitational pull—classic Americana, through and through. But hop on a plane, cross the ol' pond to the land of baguettes and berets—oui, France, my friend—and you'll spot a different kind of tough: moleskin.

First off, let's clear the air: no actual moles were harmed in the making of this legendary textile. Moleskin is as much about moles as peanut butter is about peanuts... okay, bad example, but you get the gist. This heavyweight champ of the fabric world is softer than your favorite lounge pants but doesn't wimp out when the going gets rough.

Originating from a place where sturdy materials are as necessary as a good pair of boots, moleskin fabric was first introduced in medieval Europe. Picture this: craftsmen and laborers bustling about, all draped in this durable, wind-resistant material. Moleskin was primarily used for workwear due to its tough yet comfortable nature, making it an instant hit among those who valued both resilience and comfort (sound familiar?).

Cut to the industrial revolution in France, and those steelworkers needed something that didn't flinch at flying molten goo. Enter moleskin stage left, wearing pants and aprons, taking a bow. Now, moleskin's more than just a one-trick pony. Depending on your day job, this fabric came in a Crayola box of colors—steel blue for the mechanics, midnight black for the carpenters, and for an army? Olive/grey, because fashion faux pas don't fly even when you're marching.

Close-up alert: Our moleskin workshirt. Ready for whatever, especially Monday.

Let's nerd out for a sec. Moleskin is in the fustian family—think the love child of corduroy and velveteen after a steamy novel affair. It's woven tight, with warp and weft threads playing nice in matching hues. One side gets a shave and a brush, making it peachy-keen soft. Moleskin isn't just one-size-fits-all; it's got variables, like that friend who keeps changing their hair. Density, yarn size, level of shaving or brushing—all these factors mean you can pick your moleskin flavor from vanilla-wind-resistant to double-fudge-extra-warm.

So, for those about to rock some killer threads with a dollop of European charm, we salute you. Moleskin's got history, it's got panache, and it's got a place in Purnell's heart.