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Designed in France in the late 19th-century, the venerable chore coat comes from humble beginnings. Back then, it was all about getting the job done—and maybe having the pocket space for a ham sandwich or two.
And although its most durable modern-day iterations can still hold their own on a jobsite, the best chore coats are as versatile as they are rugged. But some are just devil-may-care handsome. Built for leisure, not labor. And you know what, that’s okay.
You’re looking for buttons. You’re looking for three to four oversized chest and hip pockets. You’re looking for a generous fit and, sometimes, a few deftly rakish departures from the O.G. version of this timeless garment. Aside from those mandatory prerequisites, don’t overthink it. Just slap one of my top nine chore jackets on your torso and let fate take it from there.
Spoiler: Fate loves these things.
Key Takeaways
To find the best chore coats out there, I began by researching dozens of options, paying particular attention to their materials, construction, customer reviews, and more. The resulting eight are the best of the best across a range of categories, from summer and spring-friendly jackets to heartier specimens.
One of my top pick is The Jacket Maker’s Kajetan Safari Jacket, trailed closely by Carhartt’s wallet-friendly, tough-as-nails Loose Fit Firm Duck Blanket-Lined Chore Coat.
Why it’s great: I see you, marketing. Calling this thing a safari jacket instead of the chore coat that it clearly is. Fine. All right, fine—it’s both. It’s everything and it’s nothing. It’s yin and it’s yang. It so doesn’t matter. Because the Jacket Maker’s Kajetan Safari Jacket features all the hallmarks of a classic chore coat: four flap-patch pockets, button-front construction, notch lapel, hearty materials, a carefully careless vibe.
But what tips the scales into my-top-pick territory is each jacket’s Made to Measure option. Be it a leather jacket or bomber jacket, holiday-party-ready suede number or down-for-whatever varsity jacket, bespoke is always an option.
Who is this for? The Jacket Maker is all about customization. If you have unique or specific features of any kind, then you’ll find this a welcome business model.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Even though it’s adjacent in many ways, the Kajetan Safari Jacket may be too much of a departure from the original chore coat for the purists among you.
Fit: Standard | Material: Poly-Cotton | Weight: Medium | Sizes: X3–4XL or Made to Measure | Colors: 3 | Waterproof: No | Care: Dry Clean Only
Why it’s great: Taylor Stitch’s Ojai Jacket honors the garment’s humble, Americana roots but adds a subtle distressed touch for a more lived in look. Featuring three requisite oversized pockets and available in khaki and other earth tones, the Ojai jacket is classic, handsome, and ready for fair weather action.
Who is this for? It doesn’t get much more straightforward and rakish than this. Regardless of your sartorial wherewithal, you won’t have a hard time dressing the Ojai up or down.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It’s neutral colorways are fall incarnate. If you’re looking for a chore coat that’ll also serve you well during spring and early summer, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Fit: Regular | Material: 100% Organic Cotton | Weight: Medium | Sizes: XS–XXL | Colors: 7 | Waterproof: No | Care: Wash cold
Why it’s great: Offering a playful riff on the traditional version, this denim jacket from Closed features three oversized pockets, a contrasting corduroy collar, and a faded look throughout. If sexy indifference was a chore coat, you’re looking at it.
Who is this for? Like most other chore coats on this list, Closed’s denim jacket prioritizes sturdy construction and made-to-last materials. If you value these things but never at the expense of style, then this handsome torso tarp would like a word.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Even if you recognize the long-term value of quality construction, the price tag of this chore coat might end up feeling like a barrier to entry, depending on what you’re looking for.
Fit: Regular | Material: 100% Cotton | Weight: Medium | Sizes: S–XXL | Colors: 1 | Waterproof: No | Care: Machine Wash
Why it’s great: Like its brethren the mighty puffer jacket, puffer vest (also known as a gilet), trucker jacket, Harrington, and dozens of other types of jackets, the chore coat is a specific one. And although most of the coats on this list are versatile options that are elevated enough to dress up and casual enough to double as resort wear, that’s not the case with my budget pick of Carhartt’s Duck Blanket-Lined Chore Coat. Corduroy-trimmed collar. Rivet-reinforced chest pockets. Blanket lining in all the right places. It all adds up to a handsome, functional, tough-as-nails chore coat that works hard and plays hard.
Who is this for? Fancy yourself a cool kid? Go for it. Got a job that involves physical labor and the need for comfortable, durable workwear? You, too.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: You can’t argue with the value for money offered by this Carhartt chore coat. That said, it’s less versatile than many of my other picks. It skews function over form, which won’t be a fit for everyone.
Fit: Regular | Material: 100% Cotton | Weight: Heavyweight | Sizes: S–3XL Tall | Colors: 2 | Waterproof: Water-repellant | Care: Machine Wash Cold
Why it’s great: In 1923, two brothers and their cousin founded the now-Nashville-based workwear company Red Kap. And here we are more than 100 years later talking about its timeless Lapel Counter Coat. Available in five colors, it has a three-pocket, lapel-collar construction that is uncomplicated in all the right ways.
Who is this for? Look, it’s a specific design that not everyone’s going to be able to pull off. But if you’ve got the confidence and the streetwear-leaning wardrobe to go with it, the Lapel Counter Coat is a stellar way to complete a look.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Does this risk looking like something a pharmacist would wear if you don’t play your sartorial cards right? Yes. Yes it does, but you’ve got this.
Fit: Standard | Material: 80% Polyester, 20% Cotton | Weight: Lightweight | Sizes: S–4XL | Colors: 5 | Waterproof: No | Care: Machine Wash
Why it’s great: Founded in San Francisco in 1935, Ben Davis prides itself on creating no-nonsense, tough-as-nails workwear that looks good, feels good, and gets the job done. Not taking the Original Style Jacket to a worksite anytime soon? No worries—it’ll fit right in on your next leaf-peeping trip or casual brunch with friends.
Who is this for? If your job requires a tough jacket that’ll keep you warm and comfortable throughout the day, then Ben Davis is definitely worth a look. Same if you just like the workwear aesthetic but also value plenty of baked-in quality.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The Original Style Jacket’s roomy cut errs on the boxy side if you’re not adding a thick layer or two beneath it.
Fit: Regular | Material: 40% Polyester, 60% Cotton | Weight: Medium | Sizes: S–2XL | Colors: 5 | Waterproof: No | Care: Machine Wash
Why it’s great: Percival’s Artifact Carpenter Jacket is understated elegance at its rustic, versatile finest. The jet-black, textured, woven cotton offers some interest and can be paired with anything from jeans to dress trousers.
Who is this for? Guys who would rather pay a bit more up front than replace their jacket every season will appreciate the comfortable, durable quality of Percival’s Artifact jacket.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It comes in only that aforementioned black colorway. And although you can pull black off with almost anything, the lack of options puts this one in the niche bucket.
Fit: Oversized | Material: 99% Cotton, 1% Elastane | Weight: Medium | Sizes: XS–XXL | Colors: 1 | Waterproof: No | Care: Dry Clean/Machine Wash Low
Why it’s great: Alongside Vetra and Le Laboureur, Le Mont Saint Michele was one of the OG makers of the chore coat. Its Authentic Work Jacket honors this tradition with its water-resistant moleskin cotton material, unlined construction, generous front pockets, rugged corozo buttons, and workhorse durability.
Who is this for? The traditionalist who respects the French chore coat’s original blue color but also has room for 15 others to keep things fresh across the decades.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Let’s see. What are some egregious flaws of Le Mont Saint Michele’s Authentic Work Jacket? Thinking. Still thinking. Hmm. Yep, that about covers them.
Fit: Straight Fit | Material: 100% Cotton Moleskin | Weight: Medium | Sizes: 42–60 | Colors: 16 | Waterproof: Water-repellent | Care: Machine Wash, Hang Dry
What Makes The Best Chore Coats?
Season
A linen chore coat won’t keep you warm enough when the temps drop. Popping on a wool, winter-weight jacket at the beach is… ill-advised. My point, if obvious? You need to pick the right chore coat for the season and preferably have a solid go-to lineup to help you seamlessly ebb and flow with Mother Nature’s whims.
Material Composition
Arguably more than with any other garment, the materials that make up your chore coat matter. If you’re doing actual “chores,”—working a farm, taking on DIY projects in the backyard, doing whatever it is that ranchers do—make sure you pick a coat made with durable, comfortable, don’t-take-no-nonsense materials. On the other end of the spectrum, linen or loosely woven cotton fabrics will serve you well when leisure calls.
Style
Last but not least, choose a style that suits your lifestyle and the way you want to be seen. The top chore coats for men not only keep you comfortable, they’re also statement pieces capable of elevating your look.
How We Chose
As a fashion and grooming writer at FashionBeans, I compare, test, and research the products that make a gentleman a gentleman. If it can be worn, carried, or used in a way that elevates your look and feel, I’m into it. For this review, I pored over trusted sources, customer reviews, materials, construction specifications, and my own experience to understand what makes the top chore coats so good. After researching and comparing dozens of pairs, the resulting eight are what I’m calling the best of the best. Some of my key considerations include:
Comfort: Not all chore jackets are created equal. Some are made of hearty denim. Others incorporate easy-breezy materials suitable for year-round wear. Point is, if you live in a warm climate, then lightweight and breathable materials like linen (among many others) will be the most comfortable and region-appropriate. If you live somewhere more seasonal, opt for a heavier blend of fabrics. For the purposes of this list, I made every effort to prioritize versatile, functional, comfortable coats.
Customer Reviews: I pored over multiple product reviews in search of both positive and negative throughlines to help inform my picks for the best chore coats for men.
Adaptability: When you think “chore jacket,” what’s your knee-jerk reaction? Timeless? Trendy? Workwear? Traditional? Regardless of where you land on the sartorial subject, keep in mind that although chore coats can be dressed up (to a degree), it’s on you to determine what that means. From the office to cigars on the 19th hole, the best chore coats for men are what you make of them.
Why Trust Us?
Kelly is a long-time writer for FashionBeans and an all-around menswear enthusiast. In addition to hours of independent research, Kelly relied heavily on his own experience to find the best chore coats out there. Chore jackets aside, he’s written prolifically on menswear topics, covering the best men’s pants, best jeans, joggers, cargo pants, and his harrowing holiday party experience wearing a Paul Stuart suit, to name a few.
To substantiate that experience, Kelly has researched dozens of chore coats, scouring materials, construction, customer reviews, and his own closet to pick the best of the best. If there’s a stranger to trust for jacket-adjacent advice, it’s Kelly.
Final Verdict
The best chore coats should honor the original’s intentions. That said, there’s also plenty of room for innovation. One of my top pick of The Jacket Maker’s Kajetan Safari Jacket is as bespoke as it gets in this world. Hot on its heels is Carhartt’s happy hour- and jobsite-ready Loose Fit Firm Duck Blanket-Lined Chore Coat.
FAQ
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There are many differences between chore coats and field jackets. But since we’re no longer in early 19th-century France or World War II America, their nuances today mostly amount to personal style preferences. Chore coats are rakish, versatile, and can either be dressed up or put to work. Field jackets? Same, but they’re way more specific and risk giving unintended militaristic vibes if not handled carefully.
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Since its inception in early 19th-century France, the chore coat has stepped in and out of favor with the masses. Trends come and go, but the handsome, functional, versatile chore coat always has and always will be undeniably stylish.
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Kelly Larson is a writer and editor with over 12 years of professional experience. In addition to writing articles for sites like UrbanDaddy and Visit The USA—America’s official travel site—Kelly has led editorial newsrooms in the creation of award-winning content in the digital space. When he’s not writing, Kelly enjoys running, spending time outdoors with his two sons, and searching for his next exceptional finger of bourbon.
