Meet the Brand: Carhartt

The American pioneers of workwear and authentic American designs. Striving for quality, durability, and comfortable clothing for hardworking people. The brand has a rich family history dating back to the late 1880s and has continued to strive in their workwear designs.

 

The History of Carhartt

The American brand was founded by Hamilton Carhartt in 1889 and has been proudly owned by the same bloodline ever since. After some false starts within the furniture industry, Carhartt took to the railroads and asked workers there what they wanted in their clothing, since then he began creating hardwearing clothing that ticked all the boxes.

Beginning with just four sewing machines and five employees, the brand has since grown into become a worldwide brand. During the First World War, Carhartt began manufacturing workman uniforms for the military, providing sturdy and reliable workwear for the war effort which earned them respect and notability.

However, the brand has been hit by hardships in the past, both the Cotton Depression of the 1920s and the Great Depression of the 1930s but working through these depressions they solidified their reputation for their quality clothing.

 

What is Carhartt WIP?

Carhartt Work in Progress, or WIP, became the European division of the brand and was founded in 1989.

As workwear inspired fashion started gaining in popularity in the hip-hop and streetwear scene, Carhartt wanted to expand their clothing collections overseas. Carefully adapting and modifying their core products characteristics for a different audience of consumers, they began creating fashion forward pieces while still sticking to their core ethos of durable and dependable clothing.

Carhartt WIP’s principal function is to allow for a modernised aesthetic that establishes a more expansive and progressive outlook on contemporary men’s fashion while also emphasising its distinctive, American heritage. Carhartt WIP wanted to carefully adapt and modify Carhartt’s core products with a focus on refined design, good quality and remaining true to Carhartt’s brand audience.

Carhartt WIP builds upon a strong, organic relationships with unknown, inspiring, provocative, and up and coming figures in music and sport.

 

Where to buy Carhartt WIP?

At Copperfield we have been stocking the American brand for several years now, focusing on their core products and graphic styled pieces. We also like to include pieces from their home selection with quirky designs and key homeware items. Shop our latest arrivals from Carhartt here.