The chore jacket. The worker jacket. The shop coat. The painter jacket. A ubiquitous style staple admired world-over. Revered for its versatility, the workwear stalwart has perhaps stood the test of time not only for its looks, but also its inability to discriminate. From artists to architects, no one feels excluded from its humble appeal. One downside of this reality, of course, is a marketplace saturated with choice. Which chore jacket is the right chore jacket for you? To save you the trouble, and endless trawling, we separate the wheat from the chaff in a curated list of those most coveted.
1.) Garbstore
Recent years have seen chore jacket design move on from traditional French blues and utilitarian neutrals. This offering from Notting Hill based modern fashion brand Garbstore goes against the grain. In a soft wool blend check, referencing workwear from Britain’s industrial past, this jacket will have you dressed for milling machines and foreman duties whilst you sip a flat white and whiz out a few emails. Count us in.
Work Jacket
www.couvertureandthegarbstore.com
£290.00
Image: Burrows & Hare – (www.burrowsandhare.co.uk)
2.) Vetra
Established in 1927, Vetra is to this day recognised as one of the original and finest purveyors of French workwear. This one, in hydrone blue, is considered a classic and pairs effortlessly with most colours. Short of picking up a rarefied deadstock original, this fresh incarnation is the option for the heritage-conscious buyer.
Vetra Cotton Twill Workwear Jacket
€155
3.) Gloverall
British brand Gloverall, famous for the classic duffle coat, are no fools when it comes to classic design. Their Moss Donkey Jacket proves just that. Crafted in thick melton wool, with patch pockets, this boxy-fitted ‘shacket’ number is perfect for understated layering under your winter coat and won’t break your bank.
Moss Donkey Jacket
4.) ULLAC
ULLAC oy is a British-Finnish clothing brand who’s unisex painter jacket in ecru sets a new benchmark for us. This a jacket that really stands out, not only because of huge front facing pouch pockets but because of the rounded collar and boxy fit, made from Italian ecru twill, you’ll never want to take it off.
Unisex Painter Jacket
€265
5.) YMC
The Cubist jacket by YMC, in an oversized fit and made from 100% cotton heavy loopback sweat, is easily the most comfortable jacket on this list. Our choice is the rust colourway. Wear above black Dickies and don your finest black lace ups.
Cubist Jacket
£175
Image: End – (www.endclothing.com)
6). Universal Works
This Universal Works Cabin Jacket in a perfect shade of olive, comes collarless. Perfect, then, for a tidy underlayer to the bigger winter coats. Wear with relaxed white chinos and a sturdy winter boot.
Universal Works Cabin Jacket
£125
Image: 5Pointz (www.5pointz.co.uk)
7.) Stan Ray
See that guy wearing a chore jacket in winter, without shivering? Blanket-lining. This hickory striped shop jacket from American workwear connoisseurs Stan Ray has faux shearling within, keeping you ultra-warm with minimal fuss. Thanks Stan Ray.
Lined Shop Jacket
£190
8.) Oliver Spencer
Oliver Spencer’s Coram Jacket is perfect for those warmer months and weekends away. When cotton twill feels too heavy, this is your guy. Finished with a stand Nehru-collar and an unstructured shape, this cotton-linen beauty will age like a fine wine.
Coram Jacket
£310
Image: End – (www.endclothing.com)
9.) Nigel Cabourn
The British Army Jacket by Nigel Cabourn ticks all the utility boxes: garment dyed 100% cotton drill, a classic silhouette and influence drawn from British Army ground staff clothing. What’s most exciting though, is that this jacket has matching British Tan WW2 Pants, for the chore-suit inclined.
Nigel Cabourn X Lybro British Army Jacket
www.cabourn.com
£215
10.) Lee Jeans
The Loco Jacket, by denim legends Lee, comes in a beautiful black herringbone. Complete with triple needle tonal stitching and Lee branded snap buttons, this highly wearable archive-inspired piece will match with quite literally everything you own. You’ll be calling it ‘old faithful’ in no time.
Loco Jacket
www.uk.lee.com
£110