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A chore jacket, also known as a chore coat, is a durable jacket typically crafted from sturdy fabrics like denim, heavy cotton drill, or moleskin. It features up to four large front pockets.
Originally, this type of jacket was worn as workwear by farm workers and labourers in late 19th-century France. It was commonly referred to as bleu de travail or "working blue" due to its indigo shade. Consequently, it is also known as a French worker's jacket. Typically, it was paired with matching trousers and was predominantly blue, although carpenters often sported black versions. Some workers even had a black jacket reserved for Sunday church services.
Chore jackets continue to be produced in France by traditional manufacturers. In the 2000s, the chore jacket gained popularity as an item of smart casual attire in Western countries, particularly among creative professionals. By 2016, all menswear brands in the United Kingdom were offering cotton chore jackets. The renowned photographer Bill Cunningham was known for his penchant for blue French chore jackets. In the 2020s, chore jackets were commonly used as uniforms for restaurant serving staff in the U.S.
The British donkey jacket, which features reinforced shoulder patches, bears some resemblance to the chore jacket.
References
- ^ Cumming, Ed (2016-03-31). "From fields to catwalk: rise of the French worker's jacket". The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
- ^ Gallagher, Jake (2013-04-03). "Dropping Knowledge: Bill Cunningham's French Workman's Jacket". GQ. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
- ^ Neate, Rupert (2022-04-18). "The end of the suit: has Covid finished off the menswear staple?". The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
- Schilling, Dave (2022-04-14). "Is there really a correct jacket for L.A.?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
- Quittner, Ella (2024-04-19). "The Humble Item That's Become a Restaurant Status Symbol". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-20.