The Best Chore Coats for Everyday Wear

The resurgence of workwear pervading global menswear has inspired no shortage of familiar, utility-driven garments — Red Wing boots, selvedge chinos and in recent years, the chore coat.

This trusty style emerged in the early 20th century, worn by the blue-collar classes of American farmers and factory workers, yet like pieces once prized by workers, it’s become a bona fide style move that still retains its functional roots.

Taylor Stitch

Best Overall Chore Coat: Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket

• $188.00 at taylorstitch.com

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Material: 8-ounce organic cotton
• Fit: Modern/tailored
• Pockets: 3 (Chest patch and two hip patch pockets)

Taylor Stitch’s Ojai Jacket has seen incredible success since its launch via the company’s Workshop hub, where buyers can fund an item’s production (and receive their own in return). This system means there’s a waiting period for some jackets, but Taylor Stitch also keeps a selection of flagship items in stock at all times (although sizes can go quickly).

They’ve experimented with the Ojai Jacket over the years, using indigo-dyed cotton, waxed designs and in this case, soft, supple and organic hemp fibers in dusty colors. Bridge the gap between seasons with this versatile number.

Carhartt

Best Upgrade Chore Coat: Carhartt Work In Progress Michigan Corduroy Coat

• $245.00 at carhartt-wip.com

• Country of Manufacture: Tunisia
• Material: 12-ounce organic cotton canvas
• Fit: Regular/standard
• Pockets: 4 (Chest patch, right chest snap pocket and two hip patch pockets)

Carhartt WIP reinvents classic Carhartt designs for a style-minded audience. The brand is especially popular in Europe, yet this design looks like it’s something you could wear on a frigid Michigan morning — Carhartt wouldn’t have it any other way.

This Michigan Coat remains largely unchanged from the original, this time using rugged organic cotton canvas in a tough 12-ounce weight, which is then lined with a blanket fabric for optimal warmth. It also boasts a luxe cord collar and trimmer fit through the body.

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Best Affordable Chore Coat: Rhythm Classic Chore Coat

• $90.00 at

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Material: Cotton
• Fit: Regular
• Pockets: 2 (2 hip patch pockets)

It’s hard not to be consistently impressed with Rhythm’s quality to cost ratio. They make great linen shorts, solid T-shirts and affordable outerwear. Everything carries a clear surf influence, but there’s a little workwear in there, too.

The brand’s Classic Chore Coat is proof. They made it their own with this soft white herringbone fabric, which is suited for warm weather (like the tail end of summer), yet stands out subtly in early fall and beyond

Patagonia

Best Canvas Chore Coat: Patagonia Iron Forge Hemp Canvas Chore Coat

• $159.00 at Patagonia

• Country of Manufacture: Sri Lanka
• Material: 12.9-ounce Iron Forge Hemp canvas
• Fit: Regular
• Pockets: 4 (1 riveted chest pocket, 2 riveted hip patch pockets, 1 interior zip pocket)

Of all the jackets on this list, this is the one you can likely feel best about really getting dirty in. It’s made from Patagonia’s Iron Forge Hemp, a fabric the brand says is “25% more abrasion resistant than conventional cotton duck canvas.”

That design detail is a major benefit, but Patagonia also has some rugged style appeal going for it these days. As of late, Brandon Flowers – ever-stylish frontman of The Killers – has been photographed wearing a similar Patagonia jacket in the same shade of Coriander Brown.

Your own pursuits are likely more adventure-minded and rugged, but it’s not a bad co-sign.

Plus, it doesn’t require much break-in time, unlike some other canvas jackets. The pockets on your hips button shut, while the chest one is high enough that nothing will fall out.

J Crew

Best Chore Blazer: J.Crew Wallace & Barnes Three-Button Chore Blazer

• $298.00 at J Crew

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Material: Cotton
• Fit: Regular
• Pockets: 3 (1 chest patch pocket and 2 hip patch pockets)

Chore coats, in our opinion, are an apt blazer replacement, if you will, but this Wallace & Barnes (aka J.Crew) option is quite literally a blazer. But it’s obviously adopted the chore coat’s defining features: open pockets, a curved bottom and a traditional workwear hue.

The three-button design is almost reminiscent of blazers with a “3-roll-2” look (where the lapels roll over the top, third button). This chore blazer doesn’t quite boast a true “3-roll-2” look, but it’s a neat detail all the same.

It’s also available in fresh color options like Light Rose, which might wear especially well with faded light wash jeans and tan suede chukka boots for a breezy high-low combination.

Todd Snyder

Best Reproduction Chore Coat: Todd Snyder Blue French Chore Coat

• $1,295.00 at Todd Snyder

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Material: 100% cotton
• Fit: Classic
• Pockets: 4 (1 chest patch and 2 hip patch pockets, 1 internal pocket)

Todd Snyder often excels at taking the classics and freshening them up for the modern man, be it Champion crewneck sweatshirts or the humble pocket tee. Here, he’s done the same with an iconic piece of outerwear.

Based on the original bleu de travail, a category-defining French coat from the 19th century, Todd Snyder’s aptly titled Blue French Chore Coat is made using imported Japanese indigo provided by Brooklyn textile company Three Looms.

The 100 percent cotton construction is sturdy and super vivid, but be warned: This jacket will bleed, whether into a white shirt you wear underneath or other lighter colors you wash it with. It’s best to keep it separate until it stops crocking (leaking color).

Stag Provisions

Best Stylish Waxed Canvas Jacket

Best Waxed Chore Coat: Rogue Territory Supply Jacket

• $325.00 at stagprovisions.com

• Country of Manufacture: United States
• Weight: 10-ounces Martexin waxed canvas
• Lining Material: Unlined
• Pockets: 4 (Top-entry chest patch pocket, left chest button pocket and two side slant hip pockets)

There’s a very good chance you recognize this L.A.-made jacket – it’s a newfound star of the big screen, thanks to an appearance on the shoulders of James Bond in No Time To Die. How cool is that?

For good measure, this jacket is hard-wearing, thanks to its waxed finish, with the sort of design that will develop a handsome patina over time. It’s almost part trucker, part chore coat, and that’s never a bad look to have handy for shoulder season.

Huckberry

Best Blanket Chore Coat: Wellen Blanket Chore Coat

• $198.00 at Huckberry

• Country of Manufacture: Indonesia
• Material: Viscose-nylon-poly stretch blend
• Fit: Tailored
• Pockets: 4 ( 1 chest patch pocket, 2 hip flap button pockets, 1 interior media pocket)

A relatively recent introduction to Huckberry’s sustainably focused Wellen line, the Blanket Chore Coat is built from a mix of polyester, wool, nylon, acrylic and rayon. Like other Wellen essentials, some of these materials are recycled for an eco-friendly touch. At the same time, this is a fabric blend that’s both soft but also pretty durable.

It strikes the right balance between flannel shirt and sturdier jacket, while being a little more sensible — again, it’s a suitable blazer replacement in casually rugged situations, as the plaid is more distinctive than other chore jackets. The pockets close and the cuffs come with two sets of buttons.

Alex Mill

Best Corduroy Chore Jacket: Alex Mill Work Jacket in Fine Wale Corduroy

• $195.00 at Alex Mill

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Material: Cotton corduroy
• Fit: True to size
• Pockets: 3 (2 patch hip pockets, 1 patch chest pocket)

Alex Mill looks to the past to update throwback silhouettes for today’s modern man. Here, that means dialing in the fit, using soft, elegant corduroy fabric, and then throwing in classic workwear touches, like a button front and patch pockets.

Huckberry

Best Wrinkle-Free Chore Coat: Wills Wrinkle Free Chore Coat

• $158.00 at Huckberry
  $198.00 (20% off)

• Country of Manufacture: Indonesia
• Material: Poly-linen blend
• Fit: Tailored
• Pockets: 5 ( 1 chest patch pocket, 2 patch and side-entry hip pockets, 1 interior media pocket)

Chore coats are, by definition, a mighty useful jacket for your everyday carry needs and as a dressy blazer substitute (as we’ve said before). And to find a chore coat that does all this while fighting back against wrinkles — the kind that might pop during a long day on the road — is a fine bonus indeed.

The use of a linen-blend poplin fabric is the key here, and when blended with useful EDC pockets, it all comes together for an ideal travel jacket from Wills, another premium brand dreamed up by Huckberry.

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Best Chore Coat for Summer: Alex Crane Kite Jacket

• $195.00 at

• Country of Manufacture: India
• Material: French linen
• Fit: True to size
• Pockets: 3 (1 chest patch and 2 hip patch pockets)

Made from soft, enzyme-washed French linen, Alex Crane’s Kite Jacket is the ideal chore coat for summer, courtesy of its lightweight design and “Lines” colorway, which recalls hickory stripe while being far brighter. The striped design itself also calls to mind traditional warm-weather tailoring, like striped seersucker, while giving off a more accessible, casual vibe.

This jacket might be best paired with breezy olive chinos or linen trousers to add some classic to a lightweight grey pocket tee.

Faherty

Best Stretch Chore Coat: Faherty Wool Chore Jacket

• $348.00 at fahertybrand.com

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Material: Wool-poly blend
• Fit: Relaxed
• Pockets: 4 (1 chest patch, 2 hip patch pockets, 1 interior pocket)

The chore coat takes on an air of class and comfort, thanks to this wool-blend option from Faherty. That fabric should prove soft and warm with a nice amount of stretch to it (although likely not as much stretch as Faherty’s famed Legend Sweater Shirt).

This jacket provides handsome structure and rugged appeal, and thanks to the wool exterior and dark, dressy colors, it’s yet another chore coat that functions as a suitable blazer replacement.

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Best Upgrade Denim Chore Coat: Iron Heart 105J-IND Chore Jacket

• $315.00 at divisionroadinc.com
  $425.00 (26% off)

• Country of Manufacture: Japan
• Material: 14-ounces Japanese indigo selvedge denim
• Fit: Standard
• Pockets: 4 (2 patch hip button pockets, 1 right button chest pocket, 1 front left snap chest pocket)

14 ounces is a lot of selvedge denim. It won’t weigh you down or make your shoulders sore, but it’s heftier than Todd Snyder’s linen chore coat, that’s for sure. In this case, the denim used is some of the finest on the market, not unlike the same material used in covetable Iron Heart selvedge denim – just in a jacket version.

The denim will fade and crease and fray as you wear it in, especially if it’s for work. This Japanese-made jacket looks just as good brand new, though. Helpful snap button detailing provides secure storage for your EDC, too.

Ministry of Supply

Best Innovative Chore Coat: Ministry of Supply Fusion Chore Coat

• $298.00 at ministryofsupply.com

• Country of Manufacture: Indonesia
• Material: Viscose-nylon-poly stretch blend
• Fit: Tailored
• Pockets: 4 ( 2 inset patch pockets + 2 built-in zippered side entry pockets)

The chore coat has been around for more than a century in various iterations, and not much has changed in terms of its core design. But futuristic fabric is the name of the game at Ministry of Supply, which focuses on stretchy, durable and moisture-wicking pants, dress shirts and basics.

That same futuristic stretch fabric is translated into a sleek chore coat, one that features traditional chore coat pockets and yet built-in collar stays for a polished finish. It could prove an ideal travel jacket, thanks to its useful pockets and helpful, breathable stretch material.

Banana Republic

Best Modern Chore Coat: Banana Republic Chore Jacket

• $110.00 at gapfactory.com
  $140.00 (21% off)

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Material: Cotton
• Fit: Relaxed
• Pockets: 4( 2 patch button hip pockets, 2 side-entry hip pockets)

What makes a chore coat a “modern” chore coat? Well, it’s perhaps tough to define, but Banana Republic has taken a swing at it by streamlining some of its pockets and updating the fit to a slouchy, relaxed option.

It’s far from a bulky chore coat made by a workwear brand, though. This option is more tastefully relaxed, and combined with the rich earthen color, it’s a dressier option in a lightweight cotton. The price is also nearly unbeatable.

Todd Snyder

Best Wool Chore Coat: Todd Snyder Brushed Wool Chore Coat

• $599.00 at Todd Snyder
  $798.00 (25% off)

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Material: Virgin wool
• Fit: Tailored
• Pockets: 3 (2 patch hip pockets, 1 patch chest pocket)

Interested in the workwear look without the workwear crunch? Unlike a classic Carhartt chore coat, for example, Todd Snyder’s chore coat is made from a lightweight Italian wool. It’s a luxurious take on an iconic style, the sort of thing that Snyder specializes in.

The company notes that this piece has more in common with an Italian topcoat in terms of fabric and color, and they’re certainly not wrong. Note that this jacket will keep you warm in the winter, but it won’t do much good on a worksite.

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Best Value Chore Coat: Imperfects The Cunningham Coat

• $209.00 at imperfects.co

• Country of Manufacture: United States
• Material: Organic cotton canvas
• Fit: True to size
• Pockets: 6 (2 patch hip pockets with hidden coin pocket, 2 patch chest pockets, 1 interior pocket)

French work jackets are the pinnacle of the chore coat category. Vintage ones are traded often; deadstock editions are rare — and expensive. Plenty of modern chore coats are based off them, but Imperfects’ The Cunningham Coat might be the best homage.

Why is this such a great value? Well, it retails for under $200 despite being made in the USA from organic cotton canvas (a more expensive material and a more expensive, yet worthwhile, production process).

It’s an even cooler touch that the company modeled this option after the sort of chore jacket worn by legendary photographer Bill Cunningham, who never snapped street-style photos without his trusty French blue chore jacket in tow.

It’s made from organic cotton canvas, has brass tack buttons and three pockets on the outside, plus internal and hidden pockets for more carrying capacity

End Clothing

Most Stylish Chore Coat: Portugese Flannel Labura Chore Jacket

• $105.00 at End Clothing

• Country of Manufacture: Portugal
• Material: Cotton
• Fit: True to size
• Pockets: 3 (2 patch hip pockets, 1 patch chest pocket)

Sort of built like a blazer, Portugese Flannel’s Labura Chore Jacket has a curved bottom, a relaxed front and spaced out buttons. The curved hem is a stylish finishing touch that adds a bit of dressy flair.

It’s got more of an easygoing quality to it than other chore coats as a result of those touches, so consider it more like a rooftop happy hour chore jacket than one you’d wear to haul brush – although your wardrobe very well might need both options.

The hip pockets are low and wide, which matches the bottom hem, while the chest pocket is tall and skinny. This one fits more like a shirt, to be fair, and the collar can’t quite cover the neck like some others do.

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Best Workwear Chore Coat: Dickies Denim Chore Coat

• $85.00 at dickies.com

• Country of Manufacture: Mexico
• Material: 12.5-ounce cotton denim
• Fit: Relaxed
• Pockets: 3 (2 patch hip pockets, 1 patch chest pocket)

Dickies now has more than a century’s worth of heritage behind it, and while its jackets are built a touch differently now, there’s still a proven legacy of durability and hard-wearing design.

This jacket didn’t exist when it was founded, but the chore coat is core to the brand now, albeit less so than the Eisenhower Jacket or their iconic work pants. This style, in particular, is fairly basic, but stonewashed for a worn-in look and feel. It’ll hit right at your hips for a classic fit.

The denim gives it a few more style points than other Dickies’ chore coats, but this one can still get down and dirty when needed.

Roughneck

Best American-Made Chore Coat: American Giant Roughneck Chore Jacket

• $200.00 at

• Country of Manufacture: United States
• Material: 98% cotton, 2% spandex
• Fit: Relaxed
• Pockets: 3 (2 patch hip pockets, 1 patch chest pocket)

An evolution of American Giant’s Roughneck Pant, meet the Roughneck Chore Jacket. It’s made in El Paso, yet still surprisingly affordable for a USA-crafted jacket – and it’s often available in multiple colors and sizes, which is impressive given that domestic production.

This option is made from the same material as the Roughneck Pant but in new garment dyed colors, like a dark brown or a handsome olive option. If you want a basic chore coat, this is it — it’s as basic as it gets, which should offer versatility in terms of layering and everyday style

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