Workwear

Pre-owned workwear clothing, from duck canvas jackets and chore coats to double-knee pants, carpenter jeans and dungarees.

What workwear is

Workwear is clothing designed for physical work, and its construction still shows that purpose. Heavy cotton duck canvas, denim and cotton twill are the main fabrics. Seams are reinforced, pockets sit where tools are carried, and the cut leaves room for movement and for a layer underneath. The same garments are now worn well beyond the workplace, with jeans, a hoodie or a plain T-shirt.

Work jackets and chore coats

The work jacket is the core of the category. The Detroit jacket has a corduroy collar and a blanket or flannel lining, and the Active jacket has an attached hood and rib-knit cuffs. The chore coat is a straight, button-front jacket with patch pockets, lighter than a lined work jacket. Leather flight jackets with a shearling collar complete the outerwear. The models are set side by side in Carhartt jackets compared.

Work pants, jeans and dungarees

Double-knee pants have a second layer of fabric over the knees, where trousers wear first when kneeling. Carpenter pants and carpenter jeans have a hammer loop and extra tool pockets on the leg. The Dickies 874 is a straight-leg work pant in twill. Dungarees, also called bib overalls, cover the chest and are held up by shoulder straps. Trousers and dungarees are sized as waist by inseam in inches, for example 34x30.

Duck canvas, denim and twill

Duck canvas is a densely woven cotton that starts stiff and softens with wear. Denim is a cotton twill with an indigo warp and a white weft, and plain twill is lighter and smoother than both. The differences are explained in workwear fabrics. Marks of earlier use, such as faded canvas, paint marks or a repaired seam, are stated in the condition description of each item.

Size and measurements

Workwear is cut with room through the chest and shoulders, so the size on the label is a rough guide. Each item is measured at four points: across the chest from armpit to armpit, the length of the body, across the shoulders and the length of the sleeve. The method is explained in the guide to measuring pit to pit.

Workwear can be browsed for men and women, and by brand on the pages for Carhartt, Carhartt WIP, Dickies and Schott. The guide to workwear covers the category in more detail. Related styles are casual clothing, streetwear and outdoor clothing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Carhartt and Carhartt WIP?

Carhartt is the American workwear company. Carhartt WIP is a separate European company that makes clothing under the Carhartt name under licence. The label inside the item shows which of the two made it, and Carhartt or Carhartt WIP explains the difference.

What are double-knee pants?

Double-knee pants have a second layer of fabric over the knees. The extra layer protects the trousers at the point where they wear first when kneeling.

How should workwear be washed?

The care label inside the item gives the instructions for that item. Canvas and denim are best washed cold and air dried, because tumble drying is the biggest single cause of shrinkage in cotton. More is in the guide to washing and caring for clothing.

Does workwear run large?

Work jackets are cut generously, to be worn over a hoodie or a heavy shirt. Measurements differ within one size, so the four measurements in the description are a better guide than the letter.