Why military surplus, English country clothing and American workwear from brands like Carhartt are back, and how to wear them today.
3 in-depth articles in this section.
Field jackets, bombers, peacoats and cargo trousers are back. Learn the history of military menswear and how to wear it today without looking like you're in uniform.
Tweed, waxed jackets, flat caps, corduroy and brogue boots: a guide to traditional English country clothing and how to wear it in the city.
Duck canvas jackets, double-knee pants, raw denim and moc-toe boots: how American workwear from brands like Carhartt, Dickies, Red Wing and Levi's became everyday style.
Every few years menswear gets tired of fast fashion and goes back to clothes that were made to do a job: jackets built for soldiers, coats built for shooting in the Scottish rain, trousers built for carpenters and railroad workers. These garments have survived for a century because they work. They are tough, practical, comfortable and they age well.
Right now all three big heritage traditions are having a moment together. Military field jackets and cargo trousers are back on the high street. Waxed jackets, tweed and flat caps are showing up far from the English countryside. American workwear, led by brands like Carhartt, Dickies, Red Wing and Filson, has become everyday clothing for people who have never set foot on a building site.
| Military | British country | American workwear | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Army and navy uniforms, 1940s–70s | Hunting, shooting and estate life | Farmers, miners, builders, railroad workers |
| Key pieces | M-65 field jacket, bomber, cargo trousers, peacoat | Waxed jacket, tweed jacket, flat cap, corduroy, wellies | Chore coat, duck canvas jacket, double-knee pants, raw denim |
| Colours | Olive, khaki, navy | Brown, green, rust, tattersall checks | Tan (brown duck), indigo, black, hickory stripe |
| Footwear | Combat and service boots | Brogue boots, country boots, wellies | Moc-toe and lace-up work boots |
See how to wear military style without looking like you're in costume, learn the codes of British country clothing, and get a full breakdown of American workwear, from Carhartt to Red Wing.
The easiest way to wear heritage clothing in the city is to pick one strong heritage piece per outfit and keep everything else simple. A waxed jacket over a navy sweater and grey trousers looks great. A waxed jacket, a flat cap, tweed trousers and wellies in an office looks like fancy dress.
