Today, in honor of its founder Hamilton Carhartt’s birthday, the workwear brand is celebrating 130 years of hardworking gear. Fueled by a desire
in 1889 to develop overalls that met the needs of railroad workers, Hamilton’s vision led to the creation of the popular workwear brand.
Since then, Carhartt has continued to develop products designed to work just as hard as the people they serve. Staying true to its roots, Carhartt has emerged as the leader in workwear industry by providing durable products that have stood the test of time, all the while evolving to integrate technology to meet the ever-changing needs of men and women on the job site for the past 130 years.
“Carhartt has a rich history rooted in innovation and a desire to keep setting the bar higher,” said Alex Guerrero, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Global Product at Carhartt. “That’s why we consider ourselves 130-years young. We’re steadfast in our mission to build rugged
products that serve and protect hardworking people. Whether they are on the job site or the camp site, Carhartt has their back.”
And throughout the company’s 130-year history, consumers have helped Carhartt identify several pieces of hardworking gear as icons. These are the products that have truly stood the test of time and have been purchased by thousands of workers over decades. While these iconic pieces have evolved over the years to better meet the needs of consumers, their core DNA has remained the same. Whether adding pockets, colors, or incorporating Carhartt’s innovative technologies to combat rain, sweat, and provide flexibility, at the heart of each product is the durability and reliability customers have come to know and love.
A few iconic styles include:
The Duck Bib Overall is one of the oldest styles in the Carhartt line today. The original denim version dates back to the founding of the company in 1889. It was the outfit that kept railroad workers safe and comfortable on the job and represents a standard of quality to which Carhartt still holds true today.
The Legendary Chore Coat was introduced in 1917 as the Engineer Sack Coat. It soon became such an icon that it was simply referred to as the Carhartt Coat. Probably best known in its brown duck iteration (introduced in 1928), it’s also been produced in fabrics like denim and white drill. It actually wasn’t until 1994 that its name officially changed to the Chore Coat. Today, this coat boasts one of the longest legacies for garments in the Carhartt product line.
The Workwear Pocket T-Shirt launched in 1992 and was one of the first t-shirts ever to be offered by Carhartt. It was a key part of a major expansion in the company’s casual wear products. The shirt is now offered in a two fits, as well as a wide variety of colors, heathers, and stripes.
