For as long as I can remember, my father has worn striped indigo workwear—Wabash stripes, engineer stripes, hickory stripes, ticking stripes. Along with low-top Converse All Stars, denim blue jeans, chambray shirts, and a specific type of wire-framed glasses, those stripes are what I most associate with my father’s personal style. The man loves a stripe. Last Hanukkah, I gave him a hickory-striped Workwear Tote from Wood & Faulk.
He particularly likes to wear a certain style of striped shirt when he paints. He paints a lot, which means wearing—and washing—theses shirts a lot, which means the shirts get worn out after a few years and need to be replaced.
The shirt pictured above is the one he’s currently wearing in the studio. It came from the now-defunct company Smith & Hawken, and was marketed as a “gardening smock.” Sometimes I see them called “chore coats,” too. Aside from the stripes, the key features are really the fit (structured, but loose enough to wear over another shirt) and the lower pockets. It wasn’t specifically pointed out to me by him, but I imagine the straight/square hemline is important.
Internet friends, I need help finding a new painting shirt for my dad. Can you help?
There are a ton of striped shirts with pockets out there, but most of them seem like they’re probably too heavyweight, more like a coat. Or they’re overly-fussy, with rivets and snaps everywhere. Or they’re too fitted. Or they’ve been discontinued (oh man, SO NICE). Or they cost $500 and are only sold in Japan. There are so many gorgeous, expensive, “American-style” work clothes available in Japan.
Here are a few contenders I’ve found that I’m planning to send along to him. I’d love to know about any other options that could fit the bill! The closer they come to his Smith & Hawken shirt (above), the better. And if by some miracle you have a warehouse full of of Smith & Hawken deadstock…I’ll take three, please, size large.
1. Hudson Hill Wabash Chore Coat
2. Pointer Brand Hickory Stripe Chore Coat (Banded Collar)
3. Levi’s Skateboarding Hickory Stripe Chore Jacket
4. Pointer Brand Hickory Stripe Chore Coat
87 Comments
not exact but…
http://www.selfedge.com/shirts?product_id=1297
http://www.selfedge.com/shirts?product_id=1248
Thanks, Paige! These are nice, but they would need to have lower pockets. Unfortunately, Sugar Cane seem to have discontinued all of their pocketed shirts.
Might be too light colored for your Dad’s taste, but Ben Davis work shirts (and gear in general) seem pretty rugged. Hand-Eye Supply, among others.
Good luck with the hunt 😉
Thanks, Amanda! Too bad there’s nothing with lower pockets from Ben Davis…at least not that I can find. So close!
You might want to take one of the last shirts he has to a seamstress. Looking at the price of some of those shirt/coats….you might be able to have a seamstress deconstruct and use it as a pattern to just make him new ones…cheaper than buying the ones you listed and in the exact fabric you want.
You can get the exact same shirt for him & for less expense that many of these options.
1. Find a competent but reasonably priced shirt maker – NYC must have so many to choose from!
2. Have them tell you the amount of fabric you will need & do online and/or fabric store search — you will undoubtedly find it. Buy enough for 2 if you can afford it (or more!)
3. Give the shirt maker your father’s shirt & wait for results: an exact copy of his favorite work shirt.
4. I’ve found the cost decreases if you have multiples made of the exact same shirt/same fabric. Pattern making accounts for significant part of shirt makers’ costs.
Good luck. You are a very thoughtful daughter.
Hi Carol (and Missy)! Do you have any idea what a reasonable price is to pay for something like that? I few years ago I went to a tailor (not a fancy place, either) and was quoted $700 excluding fabric (!) to have a relatively simple favorite shirt of mine re-made. I didn’t consider it an option in this case because it was prohibitively expensive, but maybe they were just scamming me.
I agree with the idea of having a matching shirt (or two) made by a tailor. I’m only a beginning seamstress, but I can tell that $700 is WAAAAY more than what needs to charged for the amount of labor that would go into The job. Look at it this way: if someone is so skilled that they can charge $70/hr, then it definitely doesn’t make sense that a shirt would require ten hours of labor (I’m not super skilled and I’ve made more complicated projected in less time). I don’t know who to hire for this task, but it might not hurt to ask a trusted dry cleaner for recommendations.
I was going to suggest something similar–but I was going to suggest Etsy. My mother wanted a poke bonnet to garden with, and poke bonnets are hard to find. I found someone who makes something very similar on Etsy, and I asked her to custom it. It only cost me $12.
A shirt will cost more, as there is more tailoring to it, but I found a striped shirt in what looks like a similar fabric on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/214067216/kooth-classic-fit-work-shirt-hickory?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=work+shirt&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_view_type=gallery
Personally, I’d look for people who make similar things, ask that person if s/he would take a look at the shirt you want, and see if s/he would add the lower pockets and use a material you like. This designer does make a chore coat (though in a look you probably wouldn’t like), so perhaps s/he would make something to your specs? Well, that would be my option.
That was my first thought too. I think in you went with a seamstress, instead of a tailor, it would be cheaper. That shirt looks pretty simple…….maybe you can try a fabric store for a pattern that is similar and just say you want pockets added. I agree that if someone has to create a pattern it’s going to jack the price up.
So close, no stripes, but the pockets are spot on! http://www.clubmonaco.com/product/index.jsp?productId=45547186
Nice! But yeah…the fabric is really the most important part. Heavyweight wool with a lining isn’t going to work for him. It really needs to be cotton, lightweight enough to wear while working indoors, and machine-washable.
Like this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Smith-Hawken-Blue-Denim-Jean-Chore-Ranch-Barn-Work-Jacket-Coat-Mens-L-/331466153441?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2cec1de1
Sadly, no…that’s not the right style. Thank you, though!
Before they closed down, I worked at Smith & Hawken’s world HQ. Never saw one of these, but hope you are able to find one.
Epaulet has some shirt/jacket type hybrids.
http://epauletnewyork.com/collections/outerwear/products/epla-doyle-jacket-cone-mills-granite-slub-denim
Those are really nice, c, thank you!! Their description of it as being inspired by a “French work jacket” (just like Bill Cunningham—never thought of that) is helpful, too—another search term for me to try. 🙂
yeah, it looks like etsy has a decent amount of “french work jackets” so i bet you can find something out there on the web! cheers.
long time reader — first time comment —
The Pure Blue Japan project may have what you want…and the denim is nice + affordable.
This is a close match, (for women, but the cut is boxy, not darted, and could easily work for a guy).
http://www.uniqlo.com/us/product/women-pure-blue-japan-denim-stripe-long-sleeve-long-shirt-140333.html#65|/women/featured/pure-blue-japan/tops/|
Hi cecimonster, yeah, this jacket from Uniqlo’s pure blue project is one of the ones I was looking at, but…no stripes. It is very nice, though, and the price is good, so I may just pick one up for my dad as a surprise. It’s not perfect, but it’s very nice.
He would never fit in a women’s shirt, though…and it’s gotta have pockets. 😉
http://www.leevalley.com/US/Garden/page.aspx?cat=2,42407&p=60543
Lee Vining is my dad’s favorite company. 🙂 their Irish denim work jacket doesn’t have the stripes and looks a little heavy, but it has the pockets!
Maybe check the Vermont Country Store?
Another good option, yes!
Nothing at the Vermont Country Store, alas.
I remembered that I found a nice denim jacket on etsy. I searched for Oshkosh jacket and found
https://www.etsy.com/listing/211880478/1950s-oshkosh-denim-chore-coat?ref=sc_3&plkey=8bef7628c1a60807bef778ae04411df3562d1110%3A211880478&ga_search_query=oshkosh+jacket&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery
I was a long time S&H customer and remember their work jackets.
Nice! The other day I discovered that Oshkosh did make that jacket in a striped version once upon a time, but I haven’t been able to find one for sale on Etsy or eBay yet. I’ll keep looking. 🙂
It’s not striped, but you might also use the search term “utility jacket” “aviator jacket” or “hunting jacket”
http://designerbrands.org.uk/asos/asos-summer-clothing-for-men/
Thanks, Berry! Yeah, the stripes are key—eventually the right thing will come along. Maybe he’ll like the ones I included in the post. 🙂
link
Carhartt has nice options and although not striped there’s CANVAS! weathered no less. Love this one
link
Ah, so close! Too bad about that collar.
Thank you!
I found one!!! It’s only in XL though :(. http://www.blueowl.us/product/united-stock-dry-goods-chore-jacket-in-hickory-stripe/
Holy cow, it’s PERFECT! I wonder if XL would be OK for him. It might be a little big, but maybe that’s alright.
Thank you!!!
Actually, I see they’re going to get more sizes in stock. I’ll send my dad the link and contact the shop!
Hi Anna – I have done this in the past, but fairly long ago so the prices don’t compare. But my daughter just recently helped her companion finally get shirts made that fit him – needed wide shoulders, large neck size, long arms but slightly fitted body. They live in Boston. Found a shirt maker for around $125, including the fabric. Just ordinary office type shirt, nothing fancy. It definitely costs less if you bring the fabric. I would be surprised if there weren’t reasonably priced places that mainly turn out shirts in NYC. Good luck with this project.
Thanks, Carol! If I’m not able to find the right thing elsewhere, I’ll definitely look into this option again. 🙂
The price and the fact it’s from Japan make me wince, but I’ll post it for you: http://www.ebay.com/itm/FREEWHEELERS-UNION-SPECIAL-OVERALLS-INDIGO-WABASH-BOLLWEEVIL-WORK-COAT-42-/221329958394
I want to thank you for sending me on this search for your dad <3. My daddy died this summer and I am missing him. This quest made me feel better tonight. Even if these two links don't help, I still wish you luck in finding the exact right work jacket for your dad.
AmandaJ
Oh, Amanda, I’m so sorry to hear that. I understand what you mean about it helping to help someone else. I’ve been there. Thank you so much. Hugs… xoxo
If you’re looking for a non-striped option, this one is pretty good 🙂
http://marlowgoods.com/worker-jacket
Really nice!! Too spendy, but very beautiful…
No stripes, alas, but who can go wrong in navy?!
http://www.thenauticalcompany.com/french-work-jacket-men/prod_178.html
Yeah, those French work jackets are a great alternative! Thanks, Jessica. 🙂
I’m not sure they’re exactly right, but I found a few inexpensive options that look close on eBay…
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-OSH-KOSH-BGOSH-HICKORY-STRIPE-CHORE-RAILROAD-JACKET-DENIM-COAT-/161598123234?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item259ffface2
And this one…
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mens-Rare-GUC-Vtg-GAP-Engineer-Striped-Denim-LS-Heavy-3-4-Jail-Jacket-L-W-452-/381146856165?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58be1f7ae5
Good luck!
Kristina, thank you! That’s the Oshkosh one I mentioned in an earlier comment—somehow I missed it on eBay! I’ll keep an eye on the auction. 🙂
probably not what you want but … nice striped nightshirt … and plain gardening shirts at Lee Valley
http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/Search.aspx?action=n
http://www.com/itm/Vintage-OSH-KOSH-BGOSH-HICKORY-STRIPE-CHORE-RAILROAD-JACKET-DENIM-COAT-/161598123234?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item259ffface2
Also:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-90s-Nautical-Striped-Riveted-Denim-RALPH-LAUREN-JEANS-Chore-Shirt-Jacket-L-/131428391297?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e99be1981
Good Luck!! you are such a great daughter!
That first link isn’t working for me, but that second one…BANANAS!!! Hahaha. I’m pretty sure my dad wouldn’t wear anything like that, but maybe I would!! 😀
I love the community on your blog Anna. 🙂
I do too, Gracie. There are some very kind, helpful people out there. 🙂
https://www.pointerbrand.com/index.php/jackets-coats/chore-coats/hickory-stripe-chore-coat.html
^Oops, you already have that one. My pre-coffee powers of observation are clearly lacking.
😉 Thanks, Cami—it’s a good one, for sure!
It was ages ago, but you may remember this one:
https://www.blaklader.se/sv/produkt/32501125-timmermansskjorta
Yes, I do!! I’m not sure why it didn’t occur to me to ask you, haha. 😉
Hey Anna!
Take a look and see if this works: http://www.prisonblues.net/product/4031111
They’re made by inmates which I think is hilarious and also sort of a good cause? Several friends have them for working in their shops and they swear by them
Hopefully it helps!
Love Holly
If something like this isn’t one out of the question with the price being low you could easily buy 1 or 2 extra shirts just for material and have any seamstress add the lower front pockets for not much. I wouldn’t want to quote prices since I’m not in NYC but I have a seamstress here that adds pockets to a lot of skirts & dresses for me for between $30-$60 a garment depending on the construction. Simple flat front pockets like the ones you pictured in his current shirt should be a breeze.
http://www.grindlondon.com/store/all/japanese-denim-stripe-chore-jacket/
Colour + location may be an issue here…
BEAUTIFUL.
Hey Anna,
Love the blog –
I found these, not sure if they were mentioned above but I searched “jailbird striped jacket” or “conductor jacket” – Best of luck!
– http://www.ebay.com/itm/R-By-45RPM-45-RPM-Blue-White-Railroad-Hickory-Stripe-4-Pocket-5-Button-Jacket-3-/371253511030?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56706f0376
– http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ralph-Lauren-Conductor-railroad-Blue-White-Stripe-Jacket-Coat-Pockets-Metal-L-/251800889881?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa080aa19
– http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rrl-indigo-cloth-workwear-sanforized-railroad-jacket-sz-M-or-l-new-mens-/181656514011?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4b926ddb
– for women 🙁 – http://www.ebay.com/itm/Womens-Jacket-by-American-Living-Railroad-Pinstripe-Cotton-Denim-Size-Large-/381151136078?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58be60c94e
oops – I meant, “railroad jacket” not “jailbird” 🙂
Thanks, Evelyn!
I would suggest Jokapoika Classic from Marimekko!
http://usstore.marimekko.com/apparel/Jokapoika-252-2.asp
Greetings from Stockholm /Lena
Thanks, Lena—they are great shirts for sure, but not the style my father likes.
Gap has something new out that reminded me of your post.. don”t know if this works…
http://www.gapcanada.ca/browse/product.do?cid=1026663&vid=1&pid=225058003
good luck!
Bidisha
I’m glad you’ve found a few promising options. If anyone is reading and thinking about having a seamstress copy a garment, please know that it is not necessary to take it apart to copy it. The seamstress will create the pattern pieces by making a rubbing of the seams. Also, how much it costs depends a lot on how much the maker is paying in rent. So expect expensive on Madison Avenue and a lot less from, say, an Etsy maker who lives in Eastern Europe. Subsequent identical items might be cheaper, also, because they only have to make the pattern once.
Thanks, Cate, and everyone else who has suggested having a shirt made or customized.
There are so many great options that are ready-made—I honestly can’t see my father wanting to have a custom shirt made when he can just buy a couple in an existing style that he likes! It’s good for me to keep in mind, though, in case I ever want to have something duplicated. 🙂
I haven’t had a chance to see if anyone else had found this one, but it’s from Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/214067216/kooth-classic-fit-work-shirt-hickory?ref=shop_home_active_4
Maybe this one?
https://www.pointerbrand.com/index.php/hickory-stripe-chore-coat.html
and I noticed from some of the other suggestions above that “Hickory Stripe” seems to be a common descriptor of this type of fabric, so I used it as the search term, you can add that to your google list.
Good luck with the quest!
Pat
Thanks, Pat—that’s one of the ones pictured in my post. 😉
My fiance wears this brand. VERY affordable, and high quality. He loves them.
http://bigredworkwear.com/shirts/uniform-shirts/deluxe-uniform-shirt-sl50
http://bigredworkwear.com/bulwark/fr-shirts/bulwark-seu2-striped-uniform-shirt-excel-fr
http://bigredworkwear.com/automotive-wear/work-shirts/classic-striped-auto-work-shirt-sp14s
http://www.ornhansen.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=169
Have you seen this one? Its a Pointer Brand Shirt but with a collar and distinct stripes.
Yes—that’s shirt #4 in my post. 🙂
A nice selection of chore coats-unlined:
https://www.pointerbrand.com/index.php/jackets-coats/chore-coats.html
Hi Hope, yes—those are the coats I linked to in #2 and #4 in my post. 😉
The Filson brand is a good quality clothing company-these shirts may not be striped,but the extra pockets are hard to find.
http://www.gilt.com/brand/filson/product/1063369362-filson-cruiser-sportshirt
I own this- great price and comfortable-washes up great. Get on their waiting list, to be notified when it’s back in stock.
Thrift stores have many men’s shirts with stripes- but those pockets- hope some one has the exact shirt hanging in the closet for your dad.
Good luck.
http://www.handeyesupply.com/collections/shop-coats/products/universal-cotton-shopcoat-fisher-herringbone
Cool coat! Not what my dad is looking for (it’s much too long), but very nice. 🙂
I am not a shopper, so I can’t really help you out here. However, if my father made art like yours does, I would be an avid collector (read: thief) of his work. Have a wonderful day!
There is a brilliant British company called Albam and another called Folk..check out both, they have some beautiful shirts and my husband has a similar-ish style one which was from Albam about 5 years ago x
I like you Dad’s style. Send along some of those shirts to me too.
A lighter weight, summer option? Alas, no lower pockets:
https://www.schottnyc.com/products/dobby-shirt.htm?catID=12
I went to India last year and had 5 shirts based on my favorite American made shirt for (wait for it)… $70. The tailoring was beautiful and I’ve since been on a quest to find such a tailor in Jackson Heights or another Indian neighborhood in NYC. Any suggestions welcome. I can’t expect that price, but it would save me a trip to New Delhi!
Have you looked at Duluth Trading Company. They make tradesmen/women and outdoor clothing that wears really well.
My husband gets most of his studio gear here, especially Chore Coats. There is also a nice line of shirts.
http://www.handeyesupply.com/collections/jackets
I know exactly what you mean. This is my dad: http://billig-arbejdstoj.dk/fristads-kansas-legacy-busseronne-100-bomuld-moerk-marine/
Your dad’s shirt reminded me of one I picked up in a second hand shop on a trip to Berlin so I gave google a go with my mediocre German skills and came up with this: http://www.meisterhaft-brandenburg.de/de/shop/bekleidung/schlafanzug.html
The pockets are horisontal rather than vertical so I don’t know if it’s something otherwise my search word was “arbeitshemd” and “streifen” (work shirt and stribes in case you were wondering) Although it’s not an exact match it’s hard to complain about the price at $19.
another german classic:
http://www.nur-fischerhemden.de/index.php/cat/c93_Fischerhemden.html
Too denim-y maybe?
http://www.superdenim.com/prodpage.asp?productid=4412
firstly, i love workwear!
and love that you are shopping for your dad.
i have fallen down the chore coat rabbit hole.
this one’s without stripes (which is a pity)
http://www.hickorees.com/brand/vetra/product/4-jacket-hydrone-blue-croise-twill
best of luck! do let us know your top pick!
Thought of your search last winter
https://www.betabrand.com/mens/jackets/mens-heather-blue-twill-shacket-shirt-jacket.html
Five years too late LOL and no stripes, but https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=496521002&pcid=999&vid=1#pdp-page-content Also comes in white.