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.[1] It features up to four large front pockets.[2]
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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.[3] Consequently, it is also known as a French worker's jacket.[1] 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.[1]
Chore jackets continue to be produced in France by traditional manufacturers.[1] In the 2000s, the chore jacket gained popularity as an item of smart casual attire in Western countries, particularly among creative professionals.[3][4] By 2016, all menswear brands in the United Kingdom were offering cotton chore jackets.[1] The renowned photographer Bill Cunningham was known for his penchant for blue French chore jackets.[2][1] In the 2020s, chore jackets were commonly used as uniforms for restaurant serving staff in the U.S.[5]
The British donkey jacket, which features reinforced shoulder patches, bears some resemblance to the chore jacket.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Cumming, Ed (2016-03-31). "From fields to catwalk: rise of the French worker's jacket". The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
- ^ a b Gallagher, Jake (2013-04-03). "Dropping Knowledge: Bill Cunningham's French Workman's Jacket". GQ. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
- ^ a b 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.