A chore coat is not just some handsome, tough outerwear; it is straight-up practical. Long before any of us living today was born, these hardy jackets have been used by honest workmen, including railroad workers, construction workers, engineers, mechanics, farmers, photographers, and just about all laborers.

Although those days are long gone, these jackets are still around. But instead of strict work clothes, chore coats have morphed into a fashion nirvana of some sort.

And because they are usually designed to be functional and last very long, it is common to find them in the modern man’s wardrobe. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to style these jackets and an excellent selection to pick from.

Chore Coat: What Is It, Really?

Originally made from heavy denim, canvas, or denim, the men’s chore coat was one of the earliest jackets designed specifically for work. It wasn’t anything fanciful or chic because obviously it wasn’t meant to be worn on the red carpet. The chore jacket has one important purpose, which was to keep workers warm. It also served as protection from the elements, especially when working outdoors.

The origin of chore coats is traceable to France way back in the late 19th century. The quintessential rich blue hue pieces of clothing were originally designed for French workers and are known as “bleu de travail.” As you probably have guessed, the name stems from the blue hue color and translates to “worker’s blue” (and has now come to mean overalls).

In America, the chore jacket was designed for laborers sometime around the early 20th century.

Typically, the American version of chore jackets was designed with two oversized breast pockets and two hip pockets. The coats also feature exposed buttons closures, plus large collars that can offer extra protection in hot or cold weather conditions. This piece of clothing was worn loosely because of their typically boxy shape.