THE JOURNAL
Workwear has emerged as one of the biggest influences in menswear over the past few years, but what does the word mean? It’s best not to think about it too literally. We are not talking firefighter or police uniforms here. Instead, it refers to a loose collection of silhouettes, fabrics and utilitarian details that were first embraced by so-called blue-collar workers before crossing over into men’s casual wardrobes. What made these clothes so good at their job – their sturdiness, their comfort, their practical finishing touches – is also what makes them popular today. It doesn’t hurt that they look great, too. Interested in exploring the workwear trend for yourself? Here are the first five pieces you should buy.
01.
The chore jacket
A garment traditionally worn by French rail workers in the 19th century, often in a deep indigo blue known as bleu de travail, the chore jacket is the navy blazer of the casual-dressing era. Easy to dress up or down, it is also a great intermediate layer for those in-between months. This one from Drake’s is cut from a sturdy cotton-canvas fabric and finished with refined details, such as silver-tone buttons and an additional ticket pocket, something more typically found on formal jackets.
Wear it with
02.
The worker trousers
Carhartt is an iconic name in workwear and its WIP range – the letters stand for “work in progress” – is where the brand’s core product is reimagined for a contemporary fashion audience. These trousers are reinforced with an additional patch of cotton canvas on the front of the leg, a design intended for roofers, carpenters and other workers who spend long periods on their knees. Removed from its original context, it’s a subtle nod to the workwear trend.
Wear it with
03.
The work boots
The city of Red Wing, Minnesota, lends its name to Red Wing Shoes, the historic manufacturer of some of the world’s toughest work boots. Our pick? This Iron Ranger from the brand’s heritage collection. Originally designed for miners in the 1930s and featuring construction details such as triple stitching and a Goodyear welt, these are sure to keep your toes warm on the Sunday morning coffee run.
Wear it with
04.
The selvedge jeans
We could hardly exclude denim, could we? This hard-wearing fabric, made famous by the riveted blue jeans worn by frontiersmen in 19th century America, has been an off-duty staple for decades and shows no signs of going out of style. Today, a lot of the best denim is made in Japan. These straight-leg 105 jeans from OrSlow use heavyweight selvedge denim woven on vintage shuttle looms.
Wear it with
05.
The plaid overshirt
A classic American workwear staple trusted by farmers, lumberjacks and other outdoor workers, the plaid flannel overshirt was adopted as part of the grunge look in the early 1990s. It has been a utilitarian classic ever since and is regularly reworked by fashion designers such as Isabel Marant, whose oversized wool-blend bouclé version is seen here.