The Best Chore Coats Have Nothing Left to Prove

Chore jackets are the Tim Duncan of fall outerwear: fundamental to any outfit, reliable, and built to carry your wardrobe for two decades. They’re workhorses of the jacket world, usually made from denim, moleskin, or heavy twill, with many featuring a corduroy collar to resist wear and fraying around the neckline.

Lest we forget the pockets, the archetypal chore coat revolves around three main ones: a left chest pocket and two near the waist. More often than not, there’s also an interior pocket for your EDC. No matter how many jackets might look better than the humble chore coat, it’ll always have a place in the garment gamut thanks to its enduring appeal. Here are some of the best to throw over flannels, thermals, or even pair with some busted-ass chinos.

Best Chore Coat Overall: Le Mont St Michel Work Jacket

If the appeal of workwear to you is all that baked-in “authenticity,” well, it doesn’t get much more authentic than this. The kind of chore jackets we're used to today were first donned by laborers in France in the late 1800s, and originally dubbed bleu de travail—“worker’s blues”—for that attractive, irrefutably French shade of indigo. Not long after, in 1913, Le Mont St Michel began crafting their iconic version of the coat.

Over a century later, its appeal has only deepened: the roomy patch pockets and hardy construction are as practical as ever, and something in the cut and drape and color lends the OG jacket all the ease and elegance of an impeccably tailored unlined blazer. And though the inimitable French blue will always be in-style, it’s not for everyone. So I’m glad to see that the old-school brand has expanded its color range considerably. I’d easily wear these with jeans and a gray hoodie, or over a thrashed vintage T-shirt with a pair of wide-leg khakis. Perhaps the only real downside is that, being true workwear, you’ll have to put in the work to make it soft.

Best Budget Chore Coat: Red Kap Lapel Counter Coat

Red Kap has been doling out hardwearing, affordable workwear for decades. Case in point: their lapel counter coat. The French blue is just the right shade, and it's made using a lightweight but hardy blend of polyester and cotton. At just $25 a pop, I wouldn’t bat an eye at copping a few different colorways. Even then, I’d still end up paying less than some of the cheaper options on this list.

Though the materials and construction are obviously where Red Kap saves money, I was truly surprised by how well the jacket actually fits. They’re not going for anything remotely fashionable, but the silhouette is an ever-so-slightly tailored, yet relaxed fit that makes its sportcoat leanings make even more sense. Pair it with your favorite graphic tee and sneakers for a casual off-day look, or go full on cozy vibes with a hoodie, cords, and boots.

Best Chore Coat for Hard Labort: Carhartt WIP Michigan Chore Coat

The French chore coat may be the blueprint for every other chore coat, but Cahart WIP's Michigan jacket is an American classic that's staked its claim on the modern menswear landscape. Just ask your dad, his dad, and his dad. Hell, they probably still have one or two hanging in their closets right now. That's because the iconic piece of workwear was built like a tank with stiff cotton canvas that could only be broken down to a cozy softness through real life wear and tear.

For year-round wear, I like the unlined “spring” version of the Michigan, but there’s a blanket-lined option to keep you warm through the cooler months. The blanket lining is super warm and has a silky feel that’s easy to slip on. The corduroy collar feels plush against the neck, and the grip of pockets means you don't really need to bring a bag with you most of the time. It's the kind of jacket that feels right at home with some full-fitting raw denim jeans with some hardy boots (workwear and all that) but can take on a cozy hoodie and luscious corduroy pants for a softer, autumnal vibe.

Best Chore Coat for Layering: Alex Mill Work Jacket

Being the vintage fiend that I am, I had a spell where I was obsessed with vintage French chore coats. But my particular ass was after a specific kind—one that was a lighter twill as opposed to the usual stiff moleskin. It also had to have rounded square pockets, a softer, more elegant approach compared to the squared-off right angles of most other chore pockets. Essentially, I wanted a quietly luxurious version of the workman’s uniform. I eventually did find my grail chore coat and have it to this day.

So when Alex Mill came out with their signature work jacket, I was seriously impressed, albeit frustrated that I’d spent so much time crawling through dingy flea markets. Side by side, they’re practically identical and Alex Mill’s boasts all the hallmarks of a classic chore coat but swaps the typical moleskin fabric for a range of tasty materials like upcycled denim, garment-dyed linen, and even Japanese denim. It's hefty enough to act as an overshirt on warmer fall days but can stand in as a proper jacket in cooler temps since the relaxed-but-not-sloppy fit lets me layer over a thick sweater.

Best Chore Coat You’re Likely to See on TV: Rosa Rugosa Dufferin Chore Jacket

Long before his breakout acting role on The Bear, Matty Matheson’s off-the-walls approach to cooking and innate sense of style made me a huge fan. So when he started a clothing brand, Rosa Rugosa, a few years ago, I was curious. For a guy who comes off as so unserious, the products that he produces clearly have so much thought put into them and I’m glad to say that the same is true for his workwear-inspired brand. Everything’s made in-house in Toronto using tough-as-nails materials and burly construction—true to the tenets of real-deal workwear.

The Dufferin Coat has a distinct look with its rounded collars and angled chest pocket with a second pocket beneath it. The fabric is stiff and weighty with a tight weave that’s clearly made to take a beating and last a long time. I love that Matheson’s made it available in a wide size range as well a few standout colors to break away from the usual workwear palette. However, I do wish that the brand was more widely available to try on in-person.

Best Linen Chore Coat: Alex Crane Kite Jacket

Alex Crane's chore coat is as breezy as a kite thanks to a lightweight French linen and perfect for wearing in the warmer months. The interior chest pocket on pares it down and coordinates with a minimalist getup or lets your freakier clothes take the spotlight. The jacket is also great for those impending breezy nights when you’ll want to reach for some layer without going too overboard on heft. And though we're partial to the versatile olive green colorway, the Kite comes in a heap of different colors and even a few patterned versions to fit any wardrobe. I think it’s a great option for most dudes, but I wish the fit was a little looser to make layering and styling easier. That said, the slightly more tailored fit does look great with a pair of 501s.

Best Denim Chore Coat: Orslow Corduroy-Trimmed Denim Jacket

When it comes to denim, Japanese label Orslow slings indigo with the best of ’em. All of its clothing pays homage to vintage military and sportswear. This flannel-lined denim chore coat, for instance, is the brand’s riff on the beloved Big Mac, an American workwear label launched as a J.C. Penney private label over a century ago. Orslow casually cut out the middleman (eBay) and recreated a version for the modern menswear nerd. It has four spacious pockets, a corduroy collar, and an oversized fit, making it the final boss of all your fall layering fits.

More Chore Coats We Love

What to Look for in a Great Chore Coat

Before workwear became a craze, chore coats were worn by skilled laborers in 19th-century France. They were made of sturdy, thick materials like heavy moleskin, cotton twill, or thick wool and featured an array of pockets at the chest and hips for tools. They were also cut generously to provide room for movement as well as to fit over thick sweaters. And it’s precisely the chore coat’s practicality that would eventually land it in the middle of menswear circles and even the runway.

Today, those basic chore coat characteristics remain true. Save for the capital-F Fashion iterations, high-quality chore coats should always be made with a heavy-duty fabric, ideally without the use of elastane. Chore coats should still be cut roomy enough for layering and movement. Though it’s not a requirement, more durable chore coats will use triple-needle stitching which helps produce stronger seams. Pockets at the hips are essential to chore coats, though you’ll often see pockets at the chest as well as inside the coat. And, depending on the weather, you can opt for chore coats with a warm lining for the cooler months or ones made with lightweight materials like hemp or linen for the summer.

How to Style a Chore Coat

You can think of chore coats almost like an over shirt, except with a few more pockets. The workwear influence and materials are inherently casual which makes a chore coat great for pairing with everything from a simple graphic tee and jeans to a ratty hoodie and shorts. Their proximity to a barn coat like a classic Barbour jacket means they can also help dress down a more tailored outfit, so don’t be afraid to throw one over a dress shirt and proper trousers, or even with a full suit and tie. Of course, chore coats look most at home with a head-to-toe workwear fit—think raw denim and hardy boots. But unless going full denimhead is your thing, the best move is mixing in workwear elements with your own flashes of character.

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