It’s nearly impossible to find a menswear brand that hasn’t been impacted by workwear’s Midas rough-hewn, calloused touch. Its shadow of influence spans the entire breadth of fashion, which is why designers continue to reference and riff on workwear designs that date back over a century. The enduring appeal of workwear—besides the fact that it looks good—boils down to its inherent usefulness, which exists outside of fashion cycles and trends.
While much of workwear references American heritage brands, the concept exists in every country. Just take a look at vintage French workwear and the mass appeal of the classic blue chore coat. You don’t need a deep well of menswear knowledge to understand the jacket’s appeal, it’s been worn by the likes of Jacob Elordi, Jeremy Allen White, and Austin Butler—just to name a few—all of whom seem to be drawn to those patch pockets, sun-faded patina, and subtle distressing.
France’s heritage workwear labels still exist today, pumping out hard-wearing goods for the common man, whether he works in the fields or at a design firm. There are also a handful of new French labels pushing the traditional workwear aesthetic into a new era. From outerwear to shoes, bottoms, and bags, here are just a few of the French workwear brands you should know.
French Workwear Hit List
Le St Mont Michel
The ubiquitous French chore coat has been worn by French field workers for over a century and Le St Mont Michel has been pumping out the iconic outerwear piece since 1913. These chore coats were made of thick cotton moleskin fabric and featured a point collar, mid-length design, patch pockets at the front and often an interior pocket. The bleu de travail or “work blue” is the most iconic colorway and is commonly referred to as French blue.