The Best Chore Coat Is the Hardest-Working Layer in the Land

Best Denim Chore Coat: Lee Denim Chore Jacket

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Pros

• A very current take on the chore jacket
• Can be styled as easily as a denim jacket

Cons

• Will fade and scuff more than other fabrics—though we think that’s charming

While the bright blue chore coat might require some defending to certain crowds, nobody’s going to question your style smarts if you pull up in what is currently a rising style in menswear: the denim chore coat. Taking the timeless appeal of a denim jacket, then dressing it up in a slightly more mature cut, it’s as practical as it is handsome. This one from the denim legends at Lee is also a storage upgrade to the classic denim jacket: Now you’ve got four large pockets, ready to carry everything from your phone to your ambitions.

No need to overthink styling this one—just throw on a crisp white tee, lace up some chukkas, and voilà—no rodeo clown here.

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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