CARHARTT JACKETS

Carhartt Jackets

Carhartt jackets have crossed a rare line  from pure workwear to global style icon without losing what made them special. Originally built for American labourers in the late 19th century, Carhartt earned its reputation through heavyweight duck canvas, functional cuts, and jackets designed to work hard and last. That same honesty is why vintage Carhartt remains so sought after today.

The appeal sits in a dual identity. The original Carhartt mainline is still trusted on job sites, farms, and workshops, while Carhartt Work In Progress adapts those rugged silhouettes for everyday wear. As fashion shifts away from disposable fast trends and back toward durability and authenticity, vintage Carhartt feels more relevant than ever.

Iconic styles like the Detroit Jacket and Active Jac have become staples, valued for their shape, wear in, and natural patina rather than trend value. They appear regularly in modern streetwear and have been worn by Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Justin Bieber, and Bella Hadid  while still looking completely at home on a work site.

For collectors, older Carhartt model codes are key. Jackets marked with a J followed by numbers indicate specific cuts and materials that many feel modern versions don’t replicate. The most famous is the J97 Detroit Jacket, made in sandstone duck canvas and prized for its slightly cropped fit, corduroy collar, waist adjusters, and early brass hardware. Colourways like J97 MOS (Moss Green) and J97 BRN (Brown) are especially desirable.

For a tougher, more rigid feel, firm duck Detroit jackets such as the J001 offer a heavier construction that softens only after years of wear  a reminder of what Carhartt was built for.

At Vintage Sole, we focus on original Carhartt jackets with real wear, real fades, and real history  no replicas, just workwear that earned its place.