Road Testing 5 of Carhartt's Greatest Hits
In Carhartt we trust. But if you come around here often, you know that already. We wait all year to wear our beloved Detroit Jacket like a badge of honor as we try to look like an off-duty celebrity. And we tell you, perhaps ad nauseam, that the brand makes one of the best T-shirts there is. (If you still don't have one—heck, several—of these pocket tees, you must be new here.)
The brand is the best in the business when it comes to workwear for the everyman whose job requires physical movement beyond sitting at a desk and clacking away at his MacBook, but its offerings are nothing to scoff at for the style-forward among us. Hey, don't take our word for it; just ask Austin Butler and Paul Mescal.
If you haven't yet checked the hype for yourself, these five pieces are a pretty darn good place to start.
The Chore Coat
Assuming the Detroit Jacket is already sitting in your closet, we love a good chore coat and Carhartt makes one of our favorites. (It's longer than the Detroit, with more pockets and a button closure versus a zip.) Few can hold a candle to Le Mont St Michel's, but if you're not willing to drop nearly $300 on a chore coat, Carhartt's $100 version will certainly do.
It's both oversized and durable, made from Carhartt's Rugged Flex technology, and could just as well work on a camping trip as it could cap off a refined, yet relaxed, date night outfit. While it's a little longer than you might expect, the roominess allows for proportion play and layering in the colder months.
This list wouldn't be anywhere near complete with the K87 Pocket T-shirt, the Esquire-loved Carhartt staple that's been part of the brand's offerings since 1992—and it's consistently made available in new colors. There's true comfort in this tee's heavyweight cotton fabric, and the slightly oversized pocket stitched to the front left breast—complete with its unmistakable logo—gives it the brand's signature twist and hallmark convenience.
The shirt certainly runs long, so I'd recommend sizing down if that's not your style—or if you don't feel like tucking it in—but there's a reason why men have been wearing these shirts for over three decades. Wear it with a shorter pair of shorts for a proportionally balanced summer look, or tuck it into a wide-legged pant into fall.
You know when the sun goes down at the end of a beach barbecue and you wish you had something easy to throw on? Or you're shivering in your freezing office during the dog days of summer with the A/C blasting? Or you're desperate for transitional layers when the seasons change? Carhartt's polyester half-zip feels tailor-made for, well, all of that.
It's comfortable and soft without feeling too precious and features just enough helpful features like the half-zip collar, adjustable droptail hem, and a big zippered front pocket. You can throw this in your weekend duffle without it taking up too much space, which will save you the annoyance if it stays in there the whole time.
Carhartt might not be the first brand that comes to mind when you think of activewear for workouts, but trust me when I say that this long-sleeved sweat-wicking shirt should be in your rotation. The lightweight garment is perfect for throwing on over your tank top for a morning run on a chillier day or on a day-long fishing trip where you might want some protection from both the wind and sun (its Sun Defender technology features UPF 50+ UV protection). This one's available in a bunch of colorways, but I'm partial to the white one with bold aqua logos.
Just like Carhartt's signature tee, this hoodie is a staple that you can either go classic with by picking a more neutral colorway or bolder by opting for something like bright orange or lime. Choose your fighter, but either way, the cotton-polyester blend pullover sweatshirt is the ideal year-long companion for binge-watching on the couch or reluctant morning walks to the gym. The fit is definitely a bit oversized, so size down if you prefer your sweats more snug.
esquire
