The Definitive Guide to Vintage Workwear
Workwear has quickly become a staple of the 21st century wardrobe. From chore jackets and overalls to plaid shirts, it has seamlessly integrated into the mainstream fashion conscious. In an era dominated by fleeting trends and mass production, owning a piece designed to last while looking great feels like an easy solution. But what exactly is workwear, and where did it come from?
At its core, workwear is defined by one word: Practicality. Its roots lie in the uniform of the working class, who required durable clothing to withstand the demands of manual labour. They are clothes that are typically constructed from robust materials such as denim, canvas or leather and are made in silhouettes that don’t limit your movements. Though originally designed with utility and safety in mind, workwear’s stripped-back style has given it an effortless appeal in fashion that doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon.
Denim is without a doubt workwear’s most ubiquitous fabric. It was one of the first tough fabrics to hit the mass market and because of its affordability and resilience, it was quickly adopted by the workers of the time. In 1873, Levi Straus and Jacob Davis patented the metal rivets used to reinforce the weaker points in the pants, then known as “waist overalls” which helped to support the denim at its weaker points. They were later coined as “jeans”, which have now become a staple of not just workwear but of everyday dressing.
By the 1920s, the term “blue-collar” was used to describe those in manual occupations. The blue-collar uniform was a contrast to the more refined clothing of white-collar workers. The focus was on practicality, with clothing designed to endure dirt and wear, rather than to flatter the body. With its worldwide popularity fuelled by its authenticity, workwear is loved for its utilitarian roots. Its simplicity (without pretence) has led to its broad appeal: some wear it for fashion, others for its historical value, and still others for its intended purpose: functionality. However, it’s important to remember its context. For many, workwear wasn’t a style choice, it was a necessity. People wore these clothes because they couldn’t afford to constantly replace or repair their garments.
To answer the question, is workwear unethical? We’ll leave that up to you. Some people find it contentious to choose to wear workwear as the people who wore these clothes (and still wear these clothes), didn’t have a choice. However, the argument can be made that clothes do change over time becoming their own thing entirely, to the point where it is impossible to not wear some variation of workwear whether you are aware of it or not. The key example of course being the aforementioned: jeans. And let’s face it, it is near impossible to be walking down the street and not see an interpretation of the chore jacket.
But why has workwear become a key fashion trend of the 21st century? Vintage thrift culture (of course) has a massive part to play, due to its wide accessibility. The clothes that have stood the test of time, still being a good enough quality to be resold today, are typically workwear and are a great option for those on a budget. For those who want their clothes free of moth holes, you can buy classic clothes remade lovingly and ethically from your favourite heritage brands. Sometimes the best designs are the ones that have stuck around.
