Chore Coat 101
What is a chore coat?
A chore coat is a casual piece of outerwear that acts as an easy sportcoat alternative. Historically, chore coats were worn as workwear by laborers in 19th and early 20th century France.
Details of a chore coat
Like a sportcoat, chore coats are meant to be worn over a shirt and feature front pockets. However, chore coats differ in many ways. They are unstructured, meaning that they are built without shoulder pads or canvassing. This gives them a soft feeling that’s closer to wearing a shirt than a sportcoat.
Our chore coats feature triple patch pockets, which help dress down their look while adding extra storage space for your daily essentials. They also feature two inside pockets that can conveniently hold phones, notebooks, headphones and more.
In keeping with their more casual nature, they feature a spread collar rather than lapels and come in a slightly shorter length, hitting just below the hip and covering about half the seat. However, they retain the tailored detail of three functional buttons at each sleeve.
When to wear a chore coat
We don’t like to play favorites, but the chore coat is likely our most versatile offering. Why? They’re equally suited to being worn as outerwear or as a casual alternative to sportcoats and blazers.
Ours is made from a mid-weight cotton with a touch of stretch, which makes it perfect for wear in moderate temperatures over anything from a tee to a flannel shirt. But thanks to those tailored details including functional sleeve cuffs, a spread collar and patch pockets, it will look much smarter than a sweater or a fleece vest.
How to wear a chore coat
Chore coats work well with casual shirts and pants. A crisp oxford cloth button down and chinos—the same clothing you might wear with a blue blazer—works just as well under a blue chore coat, and will appear a little more at ease. However, you could dress it down further with a polo shirt and jeans. On the other hand, chore coats can be dressed up with a spread collar shirt, knit tie and wool trousers.
You might want a chore coat if:
You like the look of a sportcoat, but work in a casual office and don’t want to appear overdressed.
You’re looking for a light piece of outerwear that can pull double-duty as a sportcoat alternative.
You’re looking for something with a generous amount of pockets for travel or running errands.
You enjoy taking cues from vintage workwear in your wardrobe.
You want something that’s dressier and less expected than a sweater.
You’re over fleece vests.
