An Informal Guide to Workwear: Form, Function and Fashion

An Informal Guide to Workwear offers a fascinating overview of some of the most important workwear pieces, discussing their history, function, construction, and materials.

Workwear has transcended its utilitarian roots to become a staple in modern wardrobes. Originally designed for labor-intensive jobs, today’s workwear blends durable, well-made, and sustainable clothing with fashion. In a world of increasingly fast fashion, workwear provides a sustainable alternative as a statement of endurance and quality. An Informal Guide to Workwear explores the links to the past and the incredible history of how this style became a staple. Workwear pieces include:

• berets, popularized by Claude Monet and Che Guevara, among others
• blue jeans, America’s sartorial gift to the world
• the siren suit, famously worn by Winston Churchill during the war
• the shop coat, donned by Christian Dior in a show of democratic solidarity with the workers in his atelier

A. W. Sylvester is a prominent fashion writer with a substantial following of over 25,000 on Instagram. Known for his insightful analysis and deep dives into fashion trends, Sylvester has written extensively in the fashion and cultural realm (Vice, GQ Style, and Permanent Style), and for brands like Mr Porter, Drake’s, Turnbull & Asser, and Globe-trotter. Wes Robinson is a British illustrator with a growing Instagram following of over 10,000. His vibrant and playful illustrations have garnered attention in the fashion world, leading to collaborations with esteemed brands like Drake’s, Mackintosh, GQ, Gant, and Sperry.