You want to do your chores in your beater coat, but sometimes you want a nice coat in the style of chores.
That's where the barn coat comes in. With this traditional work coat, you're ready to look good doing anything. Sure your "thing" might be tossing the ball to your dog at the park, going for an evening stroll, or even posting up while your barista bangs out a sick pour-over for your immediate consumption.
But who said you have to do work to look worky?
So consider a nice barn coat (also called the "chore coat"). They are designed to be versatile and protective— you can wear them inside and out.
Here are some things to consider when choosing a barn coat aka chore coat:
First, think about the climate you live in. If you live in a colder climate and you want to wear it outside, opt for something warmer. On the other hand, if you live in a warm climate like SoCal, you'll want a lighter coat that won't make you sweat.
Consider the type of activity you'll be doing in your barn coat. If you're going to be doing actual work, you'll want a coat that is durable and easy to move in. Denim or canvas is a good option here. However, if you're just going to be wearing your barn coat for casual occasions, you can choose a more straight-up stylish option. But the nice thing about the chore coat is that you can work or play in it.
Barn coats can range from relatively inexpensive to quite expensive. In most cases, remember you'll get what you pay for in terms of quality, though many cheaper barn coats from brands like Carhart and L.L. Bean will last you a while.
This really is a classic workwear style that anybody can enjoy. And you know what, robots are gonna do all the good old traditional manly man jobs soon enough. And robots need no barn coats. So you might as well start wearing them now.
Here are some of the illest barn coats aka chore coats we can find, along with some work quotes we found on the interwebs.
Manresa Bitner Chore Jacket
Manresa Bitner Coat
I'm not saying you MUST know how to frame a jack stud, or how to properly sister up two joists to wear this lovely work coat. But it'd be cooler if ya did.
100% cotton canvas outer. Soft satin poly liner. Cotton corduroy collar. Chunky knit cuffs. The weight here will impress and the construction will last a very long time. Pass this thing down to your kids.
“Either you run the day or the day runs you.”
Jim Rohn
A.P.C CHORE JACKET
A.P.C CHORE JACKET
A.P.C. is being well prepared in creating layering pieces for the transitional season. This Kerlouan chore jacket is made in a green khaki and nothing says autumn like earthy tones. A workwear inspired style, the jacket is given a thicker material and a classic collar which is perfect for acting as a top layer for autumn walks.
“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”
Paulo Coelho
Polo Barn Coat
Polo Ralph Lauren
This Chore Jacket from Polo is made with lightweight indigo denim from Japan that’s woven with a vintage-inspired micro check pattern and has been washed for a broken-in look and feel. It has a loose, relaxed fit for easy layering and comes with workwear-inspired details like four large front pockets, a buttoned placket, and triple-needle stitching to make it last.
“Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”
Dalai Lama
YMC - Labour Faux Fur Chore Jacket
YMC Chore Jacket
London-based YMC present the Labour Faux Fur Chore Jacket which is a cozy outerwear piece for this season crafted from a soft-touch poly blend faux fur fabric which chore jacket style pockets to front.
Apply yourself at whatever you do, whether you're a janitor or taking your first summer job because that work ethic will be reflected in everything you do in life.”
Tyler Perry
Kapital Denim Coverall Jacket
8OZ DENIM LINED CACTUS COVERALL (PRO)
An oversized denim jacket inspired with vintage style details. Two zippered inner pockets and four outside pockets, this jacket has a corduroy collar and is acetate lined. Tailored with 8oz denim, it is pre-processed to appear aged, tear or damage due to processing is the intention of the design, not a product defect. Oversized fit.
“To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing.”
Eva Young
Orslow 50's Barn Coat
1950S DENIM COVERALL - USED WASH
Made from beautiful slubby japanese denim with classic details, yet cut for a more modern wearer. The coverall is notable for its raglan sleeve offering more mobility that will layer well and keep all the utility it provides year round. This seasonal iteration has been worked to feel soft and well-loved from day one.
“If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six hours sharpening my ax.”
Abraham Lincoln
Cottle Barn Coat 🤤
C.T.L TRAVELING JACKET - MIDDLE INDIGO
The fabric is woven with cotton nep material (90% cotton) and thick hemp thread (10% hemp). By weaving with a rapier loom, weft threads can be threaded alternately. As a result, fluffy Nep and hemp knot Produces a warm look and a sense of miscellaneous taste that is close to hand-woven.
“To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves.” -Mahatma Gandhi
Umber & Ochre Chore Coat
Akash Chore Coat Mustard Honeycomb
Handwoven on a pedal loom in Kutch, our kala cotton features a woven texture. Taking inspiration from the intricately designed honeycomb web, this season we have developed a unique honeycomb weave on our kala cotton base. With a unique hand and feel, our textured woven fabric is the perfect fabric choice for the summer. Our naturally dyed base fabric is yarn dyed using a combination of Pomegranate skins and Iron Fillings to bring out the unique cement shade.
“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.”
Muhammad Ali
Tender Barn Coat
TYPE 900 JACKET
The first Tender jacket, cut with yokes grown onto the back panel, so that the shoulder is seamless and cut on the bias, for a particularly comfortable fit over time.
Have fun with your barn coat!
