In With The Old: The Best Vintage Workwear Brands

Workwear has always been an important source of inspiration in the world of men’s fashion. Along with sportswear and military clothing, it’s effectively a pillar of modern menswear from which a staggering number of everyday casual garments have descended: jeans, T-shirts and overshirts, to name a few.

Workwear has long fluctuated in popularity as an aesthetic. In the early 2010s, the ‘heritage’ trend brought beards, lumberjack flannels, raw denim and Red Wing boots to the fore. That particular moment has since passed, but a growing fascination with vintage workwear has stepped up to fill the gap.

This time around, it’s all about mid-century styles, a worn-in look and modern twists in the form of exaggerated silhouettes and offbeat Japanese influence. Think cropped jackets, oversized legwear and streetwear-leaning pieces that embrace the Americana-workwear look.

If you’re looking for this type of clothing, you could spend hours trawling through rails at the thrift store, or you could check out the brands below.

Cherry Los Angeles

Attention to detail is the name of the game at Cherry Los Angeles. In a market awash with lowest-common-denominator trend-driven tat, this vintage-inspired brand stands out with its authentic reinterpretations of classic American workwear, sportswear and retro-infused throwback goodness.

The cuts are loose, the graphics are bold, and the overarching aesthetic is heavy on the classic Americana. Best of all, everything is made on US soil to ensure maximum authenticity.

Shop now at MR PORTER

The Real McCoys

The Japanese obsession with classic American workwear and military garb runs deep, and The Real McCoys proves just how fanatical it can get.

The label specialises in fully authentic reproductions of original American classics—think bomber jackets, chore coats and heavyweight jeans—all made to the exact same specification and with the exact same materials as they were in their year of origin.

The clothes are expensive, but if you’re obsessive about the little things and a stickler for quality, this stuff will be right up your street.

Shop now at The Real McCoys

RRL

Ralph Lauren’s RRL (Double RL) is the outlet for the New York designer’s fascination with Western clothing, and, as the brand puts it, ‘the pioneering spirit of America’.

What that means in clothing terms is a range of classic American pieces that hark back to a time when things were made properly. Think weathered finishes and classic silhouettes that nod to the past while remaining relevant today.

Prices tend to be a tad higher than what you might expect to pay for standard Polo pieces, but the quality is of a much higher standard, and you’re unlikely to bump into someone else wearing the same thing.

Is that worth paying a premium for? That’s up to you to decide.

Shop now at MR PORTER

Carhartt

Carhartt is, without question, the quintessential American workwear brand, boasting roots that stretch back all the way to 1889. Designed initially for labourers, the label’s garments are synonymous with durability and practicality.

However, Carhartt has done more than just weather the storm of changing fashion trends—it has also become a staple in street culture thanks to the European WIP line, which offers slightly tweaked versions of the label’s workaday classics alongside streetwear staples like hoodies, graphic tees and baggy legwear.

Shop now at Carhartt

Kapital

Kapital marks the point at which Japanese craftsmanship and design sensibilities meet American styles and silhouettes. It’s classic Americana filtered through a Japanese lens, taking heavy inspiration from USA workwear, military garb, the hippie movement and Ivy League style.

The result is a range of clothing like no other, infused with bold patterns, unique textiles, and intricate detailing, making each piece a conversation starter.

Although Kapital started as a denim brand, it has grown into something much bigger over the years and can now be counted among the most influential Japanese brands in global men’s fashion.

Shop now at MR PORTER

Levi’s Vintage Clothing

Few brands can rival Levi’s legacy when it comes to denim. Levi’s Vintage Clothing line is a heartfelt homage to the brand’s rich history in American fashion, meticulously recreating iconic pieces from across the decades.

Whether it’s classic 501 jeans or a vintage trucker jacket, each item is crafted with an eye for authenticity that resonates with denim aficionados and history lovers alike. Expensive? Sure, but splurging on this stuff means more than just adding to your wardrobe. It’s about owning a slice of fashion history that has defined style for generations.

If you find yourself frustrated with the modern Levi’s range and wish they ‘made them like they used to’, this is the brand you should be buying your jeans from.

Shop now at Levi’s

Needles

Founded by Keizo Shimizu, Needles is known for its innovative take on traditional silhouettes. It takes classic workwear and sportswear shapes, infusing them with bold patterns and luxurious fabrics that appeal to fashion-forward folk.

It manages to strike a fine balance between artistic expression and wearability, offering stylish pieces (if not a little bit ‘out there’) that are also comfortable and wearable.

For those looking to make a style statement while honouring the roots of workwear, Needles is a go-to.

Shop now at SSENSE

Visvim

At this point, we’re not sure what Visvim is better known for: the cool clothes or the insane price tags. Either way, there’s nothing else out there that’s quite like it.

There’s obviously a strong focus on quality, craftsmanship and materials, but it’s also about melding aesthetics and design elements from American and Japanese culture that wouldn’t usually be found together. Think classic American styles like denim jackets, bombers and canvas sneakers, reimagined with a quintessentially Japanese approach to fit and form.

Shop now at Farfetch

Wtaps

Wtaps fuses American military inspiration with modern Japanese streetwear. Founded by Tetsu Nishiyama, the brand’s clothing is known for its utilitarian aesthetic, loose cuts and meticulous attention to detail.

As a result of this approach and aesthetic, Wtaps has cultivated a loyal following and cemented itself as a staple on the shelves of some of the world’s most exclusive contemporary menswear boutiques and retailers.

Shop now at END.