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Go beyond utility with these takes on a traditional workwear staple.

The resurgence of workwear pervading global menswear has inspired no shortage of familiar, utility-driven garments — Red Wing boots, selvedge chinos. One you may not not have heard of is the chore coat, which emerged in the early 20th century, worn by the blue-collar classes of American farmers and factory workers. The archetype, with a boxy, loose-fitting silhouette, is adorned with four pockets (two on the breast, two near the hip); an extended collar, sometimes flipped to protect the neck from sunburn; and a front-buttoned enclosure.

The sum of these parts falls somewhere under the “anti-style” category of stylish. But today, manufacturers old and new are bringing this iconic template forward, making chore coats slimmer, sleeker and more distinct, producing them in a variety of different fabrics, from denim to canvas to wool. Layer one through the colder season, or drape it over a white T-shirt during cool summer nights.

I've long dubbed the Chore Coat the ideal blazer replacer. The style lends itself to casual and classier settings alike, while giving you true function in the form of a bunch of pockets and solid range of motion. You shouldn't fuss much over getting dirty, because it is a chore coat after all. Use it to your advantage. Tow tools in the pockets near your hips. Or, free up your pant pockets and put your phone, wallet and keys in there. (That's what I do.) Place sunglasses and other valuables — a joint, maybe? — in the chest pocket, and trust that they won't fall out. That's the true perk of a chore coat over an oxford or an overshirt: the whole thing has a bit more rigidity, meaning the pockets are sturdier and stiffer, the shoulders more defined and the collar easier to pop — but for sun protection only.

The chore coat is also an easy garment to transition from work to dinner or evening drinks in. It can live unbuttoned during the day with a T-shirt underneath and be buttoned up by day's end, producing an entirely silhouette — you'll barely recognize the thing.

Not only has Todd Snyder tapped the literal inventor — Le Mont St Michel — of the chore coat for a collab, but the designer did his own rendition in a rich Italian Corduroy. This chore coat comes in three colors, each with three exterior pockets and one internal one. Because of the medium wale texture, you can truly take this option anywhere.

There are certainly chore coats that can stand in for a blazer. This Buck Mason one may be the easiest switch, if I'm being honest. Made from boiled Merino wool, it's soft, boasts the same shape as a blazer, and has a lapel collar to boot.

The Atlas Chore Jacket is an incredibly affordable introduction to the category. It's made from lightweight, 100-percent organic cotton so it shouldn't be a substitute for your winter coat, but it could totally be a top layer in early spring or fall. You'll find it in three colors, each with a tiny patch logo on the chest pocket.

Named after Universal Works founder David Keyte’s Dad, "who was a Baker and always wore a simple chore jacket while working," the brand's Bakers Jacket comes cut from 100-percent cotton corudroy. Tan all over save for contrasting buttons and a single black angled buttonhole, it's a basic top that can be worn casually or dressed up.

Taylor Stitch's Ojai Jacket has seen incredible success since its launch via the company's Workshop hub, where buyers can fund an item's production (and receive their own in return). This iteration trades cotton or denim for Natural Boss Duck, a 12 oz blended fabric made exclusively for TS.

Made from recycled denim, Alex Mill's garment-dyed Work Jacket proves durable, but also modern. Tailored, taut in the shoulders, and not too long, it's an option that can be elevated for more formal occasions. Plus, it comes in a suite of colors.

Again, the easiest way to pull a garment from its roots is with texture. Madewell made its iteration of the classic chore coat from boiled wool. But unlike Buck Mason's, this option adheres closer to the original shape. There's a straightforward, angled collar, a front placket full of buttons and three bucket pockets on the front.

Carhartt WIP reinvents Carhartt's classic styles for a style-minded audience. This Michigan Coat remains largely unchanged from the original, except for its organic cotton canvas construction, luxe cord collar, and trimmer fit through the body.

Levi's first specialized in workwear, so it makes sense that the brand occasionally returns to its roots. This Oversized Chore Coat, however, comes with clear modern influence: It's oversized! But the descriptor doesn't mean this jacket is baggy, too bulky or unflattering. In fact, from what I can tell, it really only means a straight fit with slightly offset shoulders. The sleeves are wider, sure, but that leaves room for layers.

Most early workwear was made from denim. (Remember Levi's?) Knickerbocker nods to this history with its Four Pocket Chore Coat, a, you guessed it, jacket with four external pockets (one with a button closure), a slightly smaller collar and adjustable cuffs. It's been pre-shrunk, too.

Made in the US from 100-percent selvedge denim, this Khaki Chore Coat by twin sibling design duo Warner and Waverly Watkins was a highlight from their label's, Brownstone, FW19 collection.

Japanese outdoor brand Snow Peak makes clothing, too. Their Takibi Duck Chore Coat, for example, is an extension of their other lines. How so? Well, it follows the design principles set by their other categories: clean, considered, and yet completely (to an impressive degree) functional. This option's fire-resistant.

Founded in France in 1913, Le Mont St Michel makes work jackets. More specifically, they basically invented the chore coat category with their signature Work Jacket, which has gone largely unchanged since its initial launch. Cut from 100-percent wool, it's comfortable, hard-wearing, and comes with a stylish check pattern.

Explore the following guides to find more of our top jacket recommendations.