Style, durability and practicality don’t have to be mutually exclusive. If you’re having trouble finding clothing that ticks all three boxes, it could just be that you’re looking in the wrong places. Or, more specifically, buying from the wrong brands.

Workwear has long been a key source of inspiration for men’s style and many of the labels producing it have been perfecting their craft over decades. In some cases, centuries. This is clothing that’s been built to take a beating in the workshop or out in the elements, but it can also make a valuable contribution to your day-to-day wardrobe.

Good workwear is equal parts tough and timeless. These are the garments you’ll still be reaching for 30 years down the line, but only if you buy right in the first place. In order to help you do that, we’ve pulled together a list of what we believe to be the best workwear labels in the world right now. From historic bootmakers to purveyors of heavyweight Japanese denim, these are the workwear labels every Ape reader should know.

Red Wing

There’s no finer brand than Red Wing when it comes to labour-friendly footwear. The American label’s famously robust moc-toe boots have long been the go-to for those who need footwear that can take a beating and their rugged good looks have made them popular among style-conscious shoppers too.

Styles vary from traditional engineer boots to simple chukkas but almost all are made using the same hard-wearing vegetable-tanned leather. For footwear that’s built to last, this is about as good as it gets.

Shop now at END,

Carhartt

A brand that should need no introduction, Carhartt has been building some of the best workwear in the business for well over a century. From duck-canvas chore coats to carpenter jeans, the Michigan-born label has been behind some of the most iconic workaday garments ever conceived.

But it’s not all function and no fashion, the label’s streetwear-leaning WIP (Work In Progress) offshoot takes Carhartt’s trademark toughness in a slightly more style-led direction. As a result, you’re now as likely to see the brand being sported by fashion-conscious city dwellers in Europe as you are weather-beaten Midwestern builders.

Shop now at SSENSE

Filson

Filson’s premium workwear garb is designed to do two things: last forever and look good while doing it. Price-wise, the Seattle-based brand comes in a little higher than the competition but when you take longevity into account it’s justified. You’re also paying for a lot of experience in the field. Filson has been kitting people out for life in the outdoors since the late 1800s and has gotten pretty good at it in the process.

This is traditional outdoor gear that’s built to last, steeped in a rich heritage and designed with timeless style in mind.

Shop now at Filson

Taylor Stitch

Founded in 2007, Californian essentials label Taylor Stitch was born out of three friends’ frustration at being unable to find the perfect shirt. In the end, they managed to make it themselves and followed it up with a whole collection, spanning every piece a man needs in his wardrobe.

Workwear staples like overshirts and denim are no exception and, in fact, many of the label’s designs draw heavily on workwear for inspiration.

Shop now at Taylor Stitch

Dickies

Dickies is another workwear brand that has made inroads into streetwear. It still creates tough-as-nail gear for the daily grind, but it also produces fashion-forward pieces with a younger, trendier consumer in mind.

The brand started life making bib overalls in the 1930s, with a focus on affordability which it still maintains today. It’s clothing that’s tough enough to cope with the rigours of daily manual labour, but that hopefully won’t break the bank.

Shop now at END.

Buck Mason

If it’s simple, no-frills workwear at a fair price that you’re after, look no further than Buck Mason. The brand operates on a direct-to-consumer model which means there are no retail markups. What that means for you is that you’re getting well-made clothes for significantly less than you’d pay elsewhere, including classic workwear pieces like flannel shirts, Japanese denim and robust outerwear.

Expect stylish yet timeless pieces perfect for everyday life.

Shop now at Buck Mason

Danton

Danton’s history can be traced back to the early 1930s in France but for several years now the label has been developed from Japan. The brand draws on classic French workwear designs to create stylish casual clothing that mixes function with fashion and is particularly well known for its lightweight down jackets and vests.

That’s not all though, Danton also makes outerwear, basics and accessories, all heavy on the traditional workwear styling but with a subtle contemporary twist.

Shop now at FarFetch

Stan Ray

Texas-based label Stan Ray has been making hard-wearing work clothes since the 1970s. It’s probably best known for its military-inspired fatigue pants but it also makes everything from outerwear to accessories.

Today, the label is still doing its thing, albeit with a bit more of a streetwear edge, and is still one of the best sources for well-priced workwear that’s built to last.

Shop now at END.

Danner

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Danner is a historic American footwear brand known for producing some of the toughest boots on the face of the earth. And we mean tough. In fact, the Danner’s trademark build quality and ruggedness have earned the brand a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, to manufacture boots for the Marine Corps. Suffice to say, if they’re good enough for them then they’re good enough.

Shop now at Huckberry

orSlow

Taking inspiration from classic workwear and military clothing, orSlow creates updated, premium versions of traditional workaday staples with a distinctly Japanese edge. Cuts are loose and roomy, fabrics are thick and heavy and quality is second to none.

All of the label’s garments are made in Japan using tough, long-lasting materials and built with longevity in mind. Expect things like relaxed-fit overshirts, baggy cargo pants, and lots of raw denim.

Shop now at MR PORTER

Nigel Cabourn

Renowned for rugged, vintage-inspired clothing influenced by workwear, military and outdoor aesthetics, Nigel Cabourn is the epitome of a cult workwear label. Each piece by Cabourn reflects an obsession for historical craftsmanship, with a distinctively British touch. Using durable materials like heavy canvas, wool and corduroy, the label’s garments ooze with timeless design and meticulous attention to detail.

If you want to find something more distinctive than a standard chore jacket, Cabourn is a good place to start, with a genuine appreciation of heritage wear baked into every collection. From well-crafted worker trousers to army-inspired jackets, Nigel Cabourn’s garments are built to last and age beautifully, embodying a hard-to-beat blend of function and fashion.

Shop now at Nigel Cabourn

LL Bean

Few workwear brands epitomise classic Americana and outdoor style like LL Bean. Established in 1912, the label offers functional and durable clothing designed for rugged adventures. Its iconic products, like the Bean Boot and chamois shirts, have become timeless staples in men’s wardrobes.

Known for its high-quality craftsmanship and dependable gear, the brand’s aesthetic embodies a down-to-earth, outdoorsy appeal. It is perfect for men seeking comfort and longevity in their attire without compromising on style—the kind of brand that you return to again and again.

Shop now at LL Bean

Caterpillar

Few workwear brands can say they started on the construction site, and even fewer can say they still have a presence there. Caterpillar (or CAT) is one of them. Its workwear, like heavy-duty boots and outerwear, mirrors the toughness of its machinery, and it’s known for being tough, resilient and practical.

The brand’s footwear and clothing collections carry an industrial-style aesthetic that inevitably appeals to everyone, including those of us who mainly operate laptop computers and coffee machines.

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Uskees

Uskees is a modern British label inspired by traditional workwear designs, rooted in modern sustainable production using high-quality natural materials. Like a lot of the best workwear labels, it takes a practical, utilitarian approach, producing garments that are both stylish and functional.

Alongside the now-standard chore jackets and carpenter pants, Uskees also produces more niche examples of heritage workwear. For example, the collection includes canvas vests, smocks and aprons. The eco-credentials are also first-rate, with a repair service, buy-back scheme and carbon-neutral shipping all available.

Shop now at John Lewis

Service Works

You know that workwear has fully integrated into broader men’s fashion when a label comes along making chef-style clothing. Service Works creates genuine chef and kitchen uniforms but also takes their comfort and hard-wearing practicality and uses it as everyday wear.

Relaxed, minimalist aesthetics and durable fabrics are standard, with chore jackets, overshirts and trousers that feature roomy fits, large pockets, and comfortable cuts. With the ongoing success of shows like The Bear, we expect the brand to go from strength to strength. Yes chef, indeed.

Shop now at Service Works

Timberland

Synonymous with rugged, outdoor-ready footwear and clothing, particularly its iconic yellow work boots, Timberland was one of the first traditional workwear brands to make it mainstream. Known for producing sturdy, dependable items that can withstand tough environments (like actual work sites), Timberland combines style and functionality, making it a go-to for outdoor types and urban trendsetters alike.

Timberland’s designs are practical yet stylish, with a distinct aesthetic that combines earthy colours and durable materials. Beyond the boots, check out the brand’s jackets, jeans and shirts, which all reflect the same commitment to quality and gear made to get stuck in.

Shop now at END.

Levi’s

Everyone knows that jeans were originally conceived as hard-wearing work pants. Levi’s was the brand that not only invented blue jeans but took the idea and made it the fashion staple that denim is today. It’s no overstatement to say that here’s a workwear brand that has defined the denim industry for over a century.

Even today, Levi’s represents durability, comfort and timeless style. Men across generations have worn 501s, but you’ll also find jackets, shirts, and accessories that maintain the brand’s legacy of quality craftsmanship.

Shop now at Levi’s

Ben Davis

Everyone wears Carhartt these days. If you really want to show off your workwear chops, check out Ben Davis. The American label was founded in the 1930s and is known for robust, straightforward designs that are popular with trades and streetwear nerds alike.

The brand’s heavy-duty shirts and pants have a well-earned reputation for resilience, comfort and affordability, while the label’s signature Gorilla logo and durable twill fabric help its ongoing, cross-cultural appeal.

Shop now at Ben Davis

Freenote Cloth

Like your workwear rugged and American? Then check out Freenote Cloth, a relatively young brand that ticks a lot of boxes. Emphasising quality, craftsmanship and heritage-inspired designs, the California label combines traditional workwear influences with an out-west Americana vibe. The brand sources premium materials, such as Japanese selvedge denim and heavy flannels, and produces everything in the USA, ensuring exceptional quality and attention to detail.

Freenote’s designs are timeless, offering classic pieces like denim jackets, chambray shirts and durable jeans that embody a sense of class and craftsmanship.

Shop now at Freenote Cloth

Arpenteur

Arpenteur is a French workwear brand that combines traditional French craftsmanship and modern design with classic workwear staples. Inspired by traditional utility and nautical clothing, Arpenteur is all about clean lines, sturdy fabrics and understated details that give a nerdy nod to vintage aesthetics.

The brand’s collection includes chore jackets, sturdy trousers and fleece jackets, all made with high-quality materials and crafted in France. It’s the kind of workwear you can sell in a boutique, not a construction supplies store. Minimalist and elegant in a very Gallic way, this well-made clothing combines practicality with a distinctively French, laid-back style.

Shop now at Arpenteur