What’s a Chore Coat?
Sample chore coat
We toss the term around as we talk about the upcoming class at Make It Sew, but not everyone knows what that is. You can find the Wikipedia definition, but here’s what I consider a chore coat:
a simple and sturdy unlined jacket that’s suitable for wearing while doing manual work. To me they originate from the traditional French workwear jacket—bleu de travail—and can keep the wearer warm and clean and also put together.
They could also be called a chore jacket, workwear jacket, work jacket… I’d say that a barn jacket (coat) is a specific sort of chore coat, and chore coats share some details with shackets (shirt-jackets).
Historical ad for bleu de travail
Who wears chore coats? Well, workmen in France, for sure. Photographer Bill Cunningham was known for his blue worker jacket as he took “man on the street” photographs in NYC. Monty Don from the BBC’s Gardener’s World is known for wearing a uniform including a workwear jacket. And the garment is seeing great popularity these days so unless you don’t see any catalogs, fashion ads, or marketing emails from clothing retailers, you’ve seen some chore coats.
Bill Cunningham at work (GQ)
Traditionally these jackets are made of a hard-wearing twill or moleskin fabric. Thinking about taking the Make it Sew chore coat workshop in April? You’re probably considering a medium or heavy twill, canvas or denim. Stay tuned for our workwear fabric release to the webstore.
Monty Don in his usual uniform
There are also plenty of sewing patterns to choose from. Check out this list on the threadloop app for ideas, and also follow instructor Caroline Cook’s Instagram for her thoughts on chore coat patterns.
Registration is open now. Read more about the workshop and sign up online. Send me your questions.