The chore coat first appeared in France during late 1800, it was originally designed for farmers and labourers and it was made by a tear resistant fabric.Its most recognizable characteristic are definitely the pockets that allow to have on hand several tools at the same time, these features has encouraged its use among workmen and railway builders.
Its first name, Bleu de Travail, comes from the garment original color and also explains the term assigned to working class during 1900, blue collar.
After its arrival in the US it started to be called Chore coat, underlining its connection with work activities.
The characteristics of this coat made it perfect for traditional working activities and for the artistic ones too. Jackson Pollock, the greatest exponent of action painting during the ‘50s, used to wear them while painting as we can see from photographic memories.
The most interesting example of this interaction comes from Bill Cunningham, his chore coat has become an uniform during his long and epic career as fashion photographer for the New York Times.
During ‘90s this garment has gained new popularity thanks to Tupac Shakur, who wore a denim version at the Soul Train Awards in 1993 with Rosie Perez.
In the filming industry it was usually used in its original contest, such as land working scenes. Its most famous appearance was in Cool Hand Luke, masterfully played by Paul Newman.
In True Grit, the original from 1969, it was worn by the legend, John Wayne; there’s a third interesting appearance in The Shawshank Redemption, in which the prisoners wear four pockets denim jackets during their yard time.
The chore coat, also known as four pockets jacket, is arguably one of the most sophisticated garment in contemporary clothing landscape, an extremely desired vintage coat.
Its square shape and relaxed fit make it versatile, practical, and perfect for layering.
A couple of large patch pockets on the lower part and one or two on the chest (sometimes the fourth is on the inside) all of them featuring reinforced seams. The buttoning is straight, the collar is simple and pointy.
Because of its work-related origins it is made from gabardine, canvas or denim, but in Vintage55 archive it has been declined also using less common fabrics, such as velvet and fleece. In addition washing and care are extremely simple, because it has no padding and no coating. Chore coat brings along with it all the vintage flavour, while still being actual.
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