Carhartt is one of the things on my wish list this holiday season. The Duck Coat is a classic and one of the few items that is still made in the U.S. It requires more effort to make sure you get an American made version, but places like the Wisconsin based Midewest Workwear offer them online as do a few others. Another Carhartt jacket that I like is the very nice looking 3-in-1 Parka in black. The coat adds a technical twist on the more traditional products the company offers and reminds me of the Carhartt European collection. More of my favorite Carhartt pieces after the jump.
Carhartt 3-in-1 breathable parka
UC03 Duck Coat – Union Made in the U.S.
The problem with Carhartt is that the clothes are made for, um, burlier men. Also, the pants only come in even waist sizes.
Having said that I do own a chore coat and for the money it’s a pretty nice piece.
bulier men boooo hooooo! and everything else is made for skinny bean head dudes..
I wish they had the carhartt europe streetwear line available in the u.s.
Dont lament the lack of the EU line in the states, really bland streetwear compared to the US orginals.
I have the chore coat aswell, unlined though, and you dont have to be super burly. Sizing down could work aswell.
The best Carhartt piece is to me the B11 washed duck pants, such a great cut and fabric. My favourite pants (and I own LVC , Edwin, Duffer etc jeans…), and the carhartt brown color is classic.
The 3 in 1 parka looks great, I hadn´t seen it before.
not a fan of the brand. their clothes don’t fit very in my opinion but to each his own.
Nice selections Michael. I purchased a Duck Detroit jacket (blanket lined) about 10 years ago in high school and it’s served me well ever since. It hits the waist perfectly and is very flattering on a guy. Looks amazing with jeans. I’ve seen RL try to emulate it – but you can’t replace a classic.
Carhartt pants were very popular at my Maine liberal arts college too. Definitely a must-own item for the ‘crunchy prep.’
If I was to buy a bag, though, in that style I would probably stick with Filson. Tough to bring into the office. Where do you see it getting use Michael?
-DP
Good stuff Michael. I think you might enjoy our blog, it’s a collegiate style perspective. Check us out.
I’ve got to echo the comments about the sizing on the American product, all the tops are cut too short and wide for me.
I don’t agree with the comment about the European line. Perhaps the tops are an acquired taste for the traditionalist but from a buyers perspective Euro-Carhartt has a really good pant line. 30-odd styles, USA milled denim, french milled ripstop and decent prices.
the detroit jacket is a definate go-to… a new one for plane rides, then it has a halflife of semi-respectable/office/barn. only problem, they changed the lining 2 years ago so the arms are not blanket lined but ploy-quilted… feels a bit slimy with a tshirt… the centennial release (1989) was my fave with only a small tag on the pocket (and the “100 year” buttons natch’)
woops meant poly-quilted. havent typed for 5 days… feels good.
I went to a prep school and a crunchy liberal arts school in Maine. I blame my education on the fact that I find Carhartt stuff to be totally sexy on a guy. I’m not kidding. I think I need to move back to New England, there are too many suits in DC!
“Crunchy Prep†is about the shallowest term I’ve heard slung around this year.
Carhartt’s pants used to fit the thinner man quite well in the US until about 1996/7. If they could combine their respectable construction with a fit that suited the not-so-ample male, they would be a true American success.
That parka is pretty enviable.
Perhaps you would prefer “trust fund hippie” to “crunchy prep”?
Nice entry, Michael. I laughed when I received the email because I had just purchased a black blanket lined chore coat two days before. I love the stuff; but, I do think it does run a little big, even for a ‘burly’ guy as myself. I just go a size or two down (depending on how I want it to fit) and it looks fine. I also took the the label off the pocket (at the suggestion of a co-worker) so it’s more about the construction of the jacket; rather than drawing attention to the stark white tag. I also think the pants run big in the leg; but, are still kinda snug at the hip and waist (I buy them and inch bigger in the waist).