The History of Carhartt WIP

To really get to the essence of the Carhartt WIP brand and its influences in the streetwear market, it’s worth going back to where Carhartt as a brand started… in Detroit, Michigan, 1889. With only four sewing machines and five employees, Hamilton Carhartt started an American Workwear brand, producing overalls in duck and denim for railroad workers with the slogan “honest value for an honest dollar”.

Some of the first garments that Carhartt introduced are still in production today, most notably the bib overalls and the Chore Coat, easily recognizable and frequently replicated. Iconic parts of the Carhartt collection, they were made from durable fabrics like duck cloth (also known as canvas) and denim, which were perfect for tougher working conditions.

Expanding its production and distribution up and into the 20th century, Carhartt supplied workers across various industries and trades with reliable and well-made garments including hunting, farming, construction and even military uniforms during the First and Second World War.

Experimenting with new product lines through the 60’s, as the clothing market began seeing huge changes, Carhartt played their hand with sports apparel, casual jackets and jeans. 100 years later, Carhartt celebrated its centennial anniversary as a real heavy hitter in the workwear industry. 

Enjoying its success in the American market, a new venture emerged in Europe. In 1989, Edwim Faeh, a Swiss designer had been importing American products into the European market under the title the “All American Concept” and here the introduction of Carhartt to Europe started. Seeing a potential for a new audience for the Carhartt appeal, Faeh acknowledged the respect for heritage and authenticity and the value of refined designs and quality.

From there, Faeh established the Work In Progress line and became the exclusive distributor of Carhartt across Europe and developed his own collections based on original Carhartt workwear. Adapting and modifying some of the original classic designs to fit the European tastes, Faeh also introduced new designs and collaborations with other brands and artists across the continent. In 1997, he opened the first Carhartt WIP store in London, followed by more than 80 stores worldwide. 

Contributing to the success of the WIP diffusion line was its connection with subcultures that adopted Carhartt WIP as their own, all of which have maintain the brands relevancy and innovation and evolution while straying true to their roots and heritage from back in 1889.

On of the most notable adoptions of the Carhartt brand was in the US in the 1980’s, where hip-hop artists in NYC and LA began wearing the brand on account of its robust qualities and utilitarian aesthetic. Some of the most seminal figures in the music industry that have been seen rocking Carhartt and igniting the hip-hop love affair with the brand were the likes of 2Pac, Nas and The Beastie Boys who all influenced the now iconic ‘90s fashion aesthetic of loose and oversized, workwear inspired streetwear. Since the 90’s until present day, the Carhartt label and their instantly recognisable golden ‘C’ were omnipresent.

Spreading across Europe, Carhartt WIP became a staple for the underground music scene, urban youth culture and other subcultures that hid under the radar, such as rap, graffiti, skateboarding and street art.

Today, Carhartt WIP remains more than just a clothing brand. It’s also a platform for social engagement and creative expression. As a brand, Carhartt WIP have their own skate team, music department, the support an array of various artist and release a number of publications as well as working with loads of like-minded collaborators and brands over the years including A.P.C., Converse, Junya Watanabe and loads more. 

Discover the collection of perennial Carhartt WIP sweatshirts and hoodies in new colourways dropping season after season. Explore style favourites and core collections including the Nelson range, the Chase collection and the American Script, perfect for layering comfortably all day. 

Owing to their workwear roots, Carhartt WIP's collection of Cargos and Pants are the ideal wardrobe addition for all manner of occasions. Hard-wearing and designed to last, their line of Aviation Cargo Pants, Cargo joggers or Hip-Hop inspired Judd Pants need to be a part of your Carhartt WIP cargo pants rotation. 

With styles seen across tabloid magazines, fashion inspo boards and the Hollywood silver screen, Carhartt WIP jackets & coats certainly need no introduction. With the Michigan Coat and Detroit Jacket taking the streetwear market for a spin, appearing in the wardrobe of the likes of Brooklyn Beckham, the Biebers and Kanye West (plus, you can't forget Matthew McConaughey in 2014 hit film Interstellar), these jackets have certainly made their name as wardrobe essentials. 

Another tried and true workwear brand from the US market is Dickies. Texas born brand from back in 1922, Dickies was founded by C.N Williamson and E.E ‘Colonel’ Dickie, with their foundations deeply rooted in workwear,with its most iconic styles being the bib overall and coveralls. Another brand that stands for the quality, toughness, and pride that embodies the spirit of the American worker. During its early days, the brand enjoyed a steady growth that slowed slightly throughout the Great Depression, however by the start of World War Two, the company was sequestered to produce uniforms in their millions for the nation’s armed forces. By the late 1950’s, the brand became an international company, expanding into the European market and eventually the Middle Eastern market.

Today, Dickies has grown to be one of the leading manufacturers of workwear apparel, continually expanding and updating the collection, while remaining true to the heritage of the brand.