• SHOP NOW - PAY LATER with 
  • Proud British maker of original parkas since 1953 | Free UK shipping
Back to Homepage
Menu
  • Men
  • Women
  • Last Chance
    • Go Back
    • Shop All Last Chance
    • Men's
    • Women's
  • Our story
  • Journal
  • My Account
  • Customer Service
  • SEARCH
  • GBP
    • EUR
    • USD
Toggle Nav
Skip to Content
SEARCH

ENTER YOUR SEARCH BELOW:

Back to Homepage

What currency would you like to shop in?

31 May 22

Exploring the Wardrobe Must-Have

CONTINUE BELOW

Parka London in

Conversation
CATEGORY - IN Conversation
  • SHARE
  • Next ARTICLE

    Exploring the Wardrobe Must-Have
    Conversation

    Buy Less, Buy Better with Parka

    VIEW THE ARTICLE

To mark the Queens Platinum Jubilee, we are celebrating one of our amazing Made in England pieces.

THE ORIGIN OF THE UTILITY JACKET

The utility jacket, also known as the chore coat or worker jacket originates from 19th-century France. Traditionally made from moleskin and cotton drill these jackets were durable, with their simple button fastenings and large pockets for tools they quickly became the uniform of farmers, engineers and manufacturers.

Dyed a distinctive French blue colour with the hopes of masking marks from daily work, chore coats are said to be where the term ‘blue collar worker’ derives from.

The original chore coat

After reaching American farmlands the chore coat was adopted by big brands and subcultures. Since workwear has become a style worn by men who don’t just work in factories, much like your favourite pair of jeans utility jackets are a staple piece of outerwear perfect for every occasion. Plus, who doesn’t love a pocket?

IN OTHER POPULAR NEWS

During the 20th century the utility jacket started to pop up in film and fashion. Whether it was on the streets of New York as Bill Cunnigham cycled around snapping fashion streetwear photography or slung on Tim Robbins in The Shawshank Redemption, the utility jacket was in the forefront of consumers minds.

Bill Cunningham at work
Tim Robbins in The Shawshank Redemption

WHAT DEFINES A UTILITY JACKET?

There has been an evolution of the utility jacket through fabric and colour however signature details remain. Button-down fronts, patch pockets and pointed collars are still the main features of modern utility jackets.

THE PARKA UTILITY JACKET

The Parka utility jacket is designed and crafted from luxurious wool here in London. Adopting the classic boxy shape our mid-weight jacket is a suitable for every occasion, throw on whenever, wardrobe must-have!

Once useful for holding tools but maybe now more useful for holding your phone (or a water bottle if you're Bill), our jacket stays true to its workwear heritage showcasing 4 exterior patch pockets and 2 internal pockets.

Whatever your go to style the utility jacket is an any-weather favourite, relied on to make every outfit classic and streamlined.

  • PREVIOUS ARTICLE

    Exploring the Wardrobe Must-Have
    Conversation

    Parka's UK Festival Guide 2022

    VIEW THE ARTICLE
  • NEXT ARTICLE

    Conversation

    Buy Less, Buy Better with Parka

    VIEW THE ARTICLE
    Buy Less, Buy Better with Parka
Subscribe

Be the first to hear about our new collections, limited edition launches, exclusive offers, special events and more...

Get Help
  • Contact us
  • Returns & Repairs
Information
  • THE PARKA LONDON JOURNAL
  • TERMS & CONDITIONS
  • BUY NOW, PAY LATER OPTIONS
Copyright © 2022 ParkaLondon. All rights reserved.

Loading...
Loading...