Workwear & working heritage: why fashion is still inspired by the workshop
Workwear & working heritage: from the workshop to the street
Initially, these were garments designed to last, crafted for calloused hands and bodies in motion. Today, they are pieces we wear with pride on the streets, as a tribute to those who forged them. Workwear —or work wardrobe—has become an essential reference in contemporary men's fashion. At BARNABE , it's at the heart of our selection.
🧱 A locker room born in factories
Workwear was born in the late 19th century in the workshops, mines, and construction sites of North America. Laborers, farmers, and railroad workers needed sturdy, practical clothing that would stand the test of time. This is when chore jackets , double-knee pants , chambray shirts , and high-top brogues appeared. Everything was designed to be functional. Nothing was decorative. Every seam, every rivet, every pocket had a purpose.
🔧 Carhartt, Red Wing & Co: icons of authenticity
Brands like Carhartt , Red Wing , and Paraboot are direct descendants of this universe. They have built their reputation on quality manufacturing, durable materials, and uncompromising aesthetics. And while they may be seen on the streets today, their DNA hasn't changed.
At BARNABE:
- Carhartt WIP Michigan Coat : the workwear icon revisited with an urban cut.
- Red Wing Iron Ranger : Indestructible boots from mining tradition.
- Paraboot Chambord : the rustic elegance of a shoe designed to last.
🎨 Raw style as a contemporary language
Wearing workwear today means taking a step back. It means choosing clothes that have meaning, that tell a story. Double-knee pants , an overshirt , or a heavy denim jacket aren't retro nods. They're tools of expression—of a calm virility, a demand for quality, a commitment to what's real.
📸 From docks to lookbooks: workwear reinvented
Contemporary designers are appropriating these codes to better subvert them. OrSlow, Service Works, and Engineered Garments inject new volumes, modern finishes, and a Japanese or European interpretation of worker clothing. The result: a hybrid silhouette, somewhere between the industrial past and the stylized present.
📍 Why workwear is so popular today
- 🌍 For its durability : we return to clothes that age well.
- 🔩 For its honesty : nothing overplayed, just the truth.
- 📐 For its versatility : these raw pieces adapt to all styles, from casual to more edgy.
