Icons of Country Clothing: Carhartt - American Workwear with Global Grit

Few names in workwear carry the same weight as Carhartt. Born in the machine age of 19th-century America and worn across farms, factories, fields and forests ever since, Carhartt has earned legendary status among those who put durability first. And now, you can buy it at your favourite outdoor clothing store (Hint: It's New Forest Clothing).

A Heritage of Hard Work
Founded in 1889 in Detroit, Michigan, by Hamilton Carhartt, the brand began with just two sewing machines and a bold mission: to build rugged overalls for railway workers. Carhartt’s reputation grew quickly thanks to its obsessive focus on durability, fit, and functional design.

Over the past 130+ years, the brand has become a staple not only for tradespeople and outdoorsmen across the United States, but for anyone worldwide who values clothing that works as hard as they do.

Why Carhartt Stands Out
Carhartt gear is made for grit — whether you're repairing fences in the rain, chopping wood, or managing livestock. Key features across their classic lines include:

• Heavy-duty cotton duck canvas – Tough, abrasion-resistant and built to break in over time
• Triple-stitched seams – Reinforced to handle serious wear and tear
• Rugged utility styling – Plenty of pockets, hammer loops, and functional detailing
• Loose fit and lined options – Built for layering and freedom of movement in tough conditions

There’s no pretence with Carhartt: just time-tested clothing with a straightforward purpose — to keep you covered, warm, and moving, no matter the weather or workload.

Rural Ready, Urban Tough
What began as workwear for American railroad crews now fits in just as well on British farms, forest tracks, and building sites. Carhartt’s classic jackets, overalls and trousers have a timeless aesthetic that bridges country practicality and urban resilience.

While the Carhartt WIP range has gained a following in streetwear, our focus will be on authentic workwear — built for country life, field work, and everyday graft.

Why We’re Bringing Carhartt to New Forest Clothing
We believe in gear that works — for the field, the shed, the jobsite, and the everyday. Carhartt fits that philosophy perfectly. It’s clothing with character, built from the ground up for real-world use, and ready for British weather and country life.