In uncertain times, we often turn to surety and stability; a notion that extends to sartorial style. While menswear has come a long way over the past decade, embracing items like the once-obscure harness and quirky suiting, the men’s workwear trend has enjoyed enduring appeal. Though we love seeing Timothée Chalamet in a bejewelled Louis Vuitton suit, Harry Styles’ endless array of floral suits, and John Mayer’s endless sartorial experimentation, there’s something calming and grounding about the classic workwear style.
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In the way that military pieces often make their way from the trenches onto the runway, workwear style has transitioned from construction sites to street style sites for the same reason; they’re functional, practical, comfortable, and durable. They have to be – workwear garments were created to serve a specific purpose. Unlike the pieces created for trends that are so often transient, men’s workwear garments are made to last.
What is workwear style?
Men’s workwear style is derived from the clothing worn by blue-collar workers; think construction workers, scaffolders, fishermen, and farmers. Crafted from sturdy, made-to-last fabrics like denim, corduroy, canvas, or twill, workwear pieces are made to provide protection from the elements. Workwear pieces like chore coats and shirt jackets often sport an oversized fit to allow for movement, while tough work trousers are designed to withstand even the harshest of abuse.
How to wear the men’s workwear trend
Here are our favourite tips for pulling off the men’s workwear trend.
Loosen up
The primary allure of workwear is its functionality; workwear pieces are made to allow for movement. While you may not be taking to the sea or dismantling buildings, keep your fit loose and relaxed to stay comfortable at all times. Opt for straight or relaxed cut work pants or raw denim over slim or skinny varieties, and consider sizing up when it comes to boxy workwear jackets.
Start slow
If you’re new to the workwear trend, there’s no need to don steel-capped boots, tough trousers, a flannel shirt, a boxy jacket, and a fisherman beanie all at once. Consider incorporating a couple of workwear elements into each look; whether it’s selvedge denim paired with a shirt jacket, beanie, and leather sneakers or corduroy workwear trousers teamed with a chore coat and chunky loafers.
Don’t eschew colour
While workwear often has neutral colour connotations like black, brown, beige and khaki, don’t be afraid to incorporate some colour. Injecting a pop of colour like a mustard sweater or hunter green hoodie worn with a denim chore coat and neutral-toned workwear trousers can provide your look with a more street style feel; after all, you aren’t actually coming straight from a construction site.
Key pieces to pull off the men’s workwear trend
The simplicity of the workwear trend means there are only a few quintessential garments you need to pull it off. Here are the essential pieces you need to channel your inner labourer.
Work pants
Thanks to heritage brands like Dickies, Filson, and Carhartt, tough workwear pants are back in style. Sturdy and built to last, work pants are cut from materials like canvas, corduroy, and twill, and often feature a reinforced knee patch to prevent wear and tear. For the street style set, work pants are a versatile option, teaming well with the gear you already own like sneakers, sweaters, loafers, hoodies, and coats, as well as within an all-out workwear look.
Chore coat
Designed with the intention of keeping workers warm, the chore coat was one of the first jackets specifically created for manual labourers. Crafted from denim, canvas, or heavy twill, chore coats are cut in a boxy silhouette and typically feature two oversized breast pockets, two hip pockets, exposed button closure, and an extended collar that can be worn down or flipped up to protect workers from the elements. One of the most notorious pioneers of the chore coat as a viable sartorial option was the late street style photographer Bill Cunningham, who scored the indigo garment from a French hardware store at the bargain price of $20. The workwear staple became almost a uniform for Cunningham, who favoured the chore coat for its outsized pockets which were the perfect size for storing film as he rode around town on his signature mode of transport; the bicycle.
Workwear boots
Sneakers and Chelsea boots aren’t going to cut it for fishermen and miners, with workwear boots crafted from sturdy materials that repel the elements, with many featuring built-in steel caps over the toes to protect from heavy falling objects. While traditional hardwearing boots are always an option for a men’s workwear style look, you can also opt for slightly less tough brogue or streamlined styles which work well paired with suits as a slightly edgier alternative to derbies or oxfords.
Workwear jeans
Not your dainty, artfully ripped skinny jeans. Men’s workwear style jeans are cut from durable raw denim, often with a selvedge edge.
Flannel overshirts
Often associated with woodcutters and gamekeepers, the flannel overshirt is undeniably a core workwear piece. Green and blue checked varieties work well, as do lack and red. Try teaming a flannel overshirt with some tough workwear pants or raw denim, but lighten up the look by opting for loafers or Chelsea boots to avoid going full woodworker.
Beanies
Keep those ears covered. Beanies served a dual purpose for blue-collar tradesmen; keeping their hair off their faces while staying warm. To pull off the men’s workwear trend, opt for a cuffed or slouchy beanie. Alternatively, if ear-warming isn’t high on your list of headgear priorities, you can try donning a fisherman beanie; a shorter style which cuts off above the ears.
Words by T. Angel