A short history

Hamilton Carhartt started the company in 1889 in a small loft in Detroit. His first product was the bib overall, designed after talking to railroad workers about what they needed. The Chore Coat followed in 1917 and is still made today in much the same form. Carhartt is still family owned, and its old motto sums up the approach: "Honest value for an honest dollar."

Carhartt or Carhartt WIP? Carhartt WIP (Work In Progress) is a separate label launched in 1989 for Europe and Asia, with a more fashion-led cut and details. The range we stock is Carhartt workwear: the work line, made to be worn on site.

How Carhartt fits

Carhartt sizing is American and generous. Most people find a Carhartt medium roomier than a medium from a UK workwear brand. Every garment carries one of three fit names:

• Original Fit: the standard cut. Loose, but not baggy. Good as a base layer.
• Relaxed Fit: more room in the arms, chest and stomach. Easy to layer over a hoodie.
• Loose Fit: the roomiest cut, with extra room for movement and for layering underneath.

Our advice: if you are between sizes, go down a size, especially on Loose Fit jackets and hoodies. Trousers and jeans are sized by waist and leg in inches. Each product page shows the sizes we have in stock now, and you are welcome to try sizes on in our shop before you buy.

Fabrics and features explained

• Duck canvas: Carhartt's heavy cotton canvas. It starts stiff and softens with wear, which is why a Detroit or Chore jacket gets better with age.
• Rugged Flex: fabric with stretch built in, so trousers, shorts and jackets move with you when you kneel, climb or reach.
• Rain Defender: a durable water-repellent finish that sheds light rain and showers. It is water resistant, not fully waterproof.
• Storm Defender: Carhartt's waterproof, breathable protection for proper wet weather.
• Force: Carhartt's sweat-wicking range for base layers and tees.

Check the product description for the exact features of each item.

Colours and limited runs

Carhartt Brown is the classic colour, alongside black, navy and greens. Carhartt also brings out seasonal colours, and some only appear for a season or two. When a colour or size has gone from our shelves it may not come back, so if you see your size in a colour you like, it is worth ordering.

Carhartt with your logo: staff kit and gifts

Carhartt hoodies, tees, jackets and beanies make hard-wearing staff kit and well-received gifts for customers and teams. We print and embroider in-house in Leighton Buzzard, so we can add your company logo to most Carhartt garments.

Tell us the garments, colours, sizes and quantities and send your logo to branding@toolmonkey.co.uk, and we will come back with a quote. Our Print & Embroidery page has more detail.

Stock and delivery

Every Carhartt item on our site is on our shelves. We don't drop ship, so the sizes you see are the sizes we can send. Order by 2pm on a working day and it leaves the same day, with free UK delivery over £20 and 30-day returns on unworn items.

Carhartt: your questions