Built on Generations
Since 1889, Carhartt has built its reputation on honest, hardwearing workwear. Now, three of its most enduring designs come together in a new Iconic range, as the American workwear brand expands in Ireland.
Few names carry as much weight on a job site as Carhartt, worn on site and off it by generations of tradespeople. Founded in Detroit in 1889 by travelling salesman Hamilton Carhartt, the company started out with two sewing machines, a half horsepower motor and five employees, producing durable overalls for railroad workers. More than 135 years on, the founding promise of ‘honest value for an honest dollar’ still guides everything the brand makes.
From producing uniforms for US soldiers in both World Wars to introducing the now-legendary Chore Coat in the 1920s, Carhartt has spent well over a century proving itself in tough conditions. It has weathered economic downturns, changing fashions and generational shifts in how and where people work, all while staying close to its founding purpose: gear that works as hard as the person wearing it.
That staying power is distilled into the new Iconic range, which brings together three of Carhartt’s most enduring designs, each updated with modern fabric technology. The Chore Coat, which began life as the Engineer Sack Coat back in 1917, now comes with stretch-enhanced Rugged Flex duck and wind-resistant Wind Fighter protection. The Detroit Jacket, launched in 1954, keeps its blanket lining and quilted sleeves for serious cold-weather warmth. And the Bib Dungarees return to where Carhartt began, the heavyweight duck overall, now with reinforced kick panels and stretch side panels added for freedom of movement on site.
It’s a range built on proven performance rather than nostalgia: pieces that have already earned their place in generations of wardrobes now brought up to date for how people work today.
Still family-owned five generations on, Carhartt remains committed to the tradespeople who built its reputation, something reflected in its ongoing support for apprenticeships, scholarships and trade partnerships. From listening to railroad workers in 1889 to testing kit through the Carhartt Crew network today, the company’s approach hasn’t changed: understand what the trade needs, then build gear good enough to wear anywhere, on site or off.
To view the Carhartt range visit www.carhartt.com or for more information on stocking the range email Nick Poulson, Country Manager npoulson@carhartt.com.
Portwest DX4 Workwear, Designed to Meet the Demands of Today’s Working Professionals
When it comes to workwear that combines comfort, practicality and a modern look, Portwest’s DX4 range is designed to meet the demands of today’s working professionals. From heating and plumbing engineers to builders, electricians, landscapers andmaintenance teams, DX4 offers a versatile collection that helps people move freely, stay comfortable and get on with the job.
One of the standout features of DX4 is its Dynamic 4X stretch fabric. Designed to provide flexibility in key areas, the range allows wearers to bend, crouch, stretch and climb without feeling restricted. This is particularly valuable for anyone whose working day involves constant movement, whether fitting pipework, carrying materials or working in awkward positions.
The DX4 Work Trouser is a great example of this approach. Its ergonomic design, pre-bent knees and stretch fabric are intended to support a wide range of working positions. The trousers also feature a high-rise back waistband, side elastication and multiple pockets.
DX4 is not limited to one type of worker or one type of environment. The collection includes work trousers, holster trousers, service trousers, shorts, jackets, gilets, hoodies, polo shirts and T-shirts. This makes it easy for individuals to choose garments that suit their particular role, while also building a coordinated workwear wardrobe.
For those working outdoors, the range also includes weather focused options, including softshell and winter jackets. Hi-vis garments provide additional visibility for suitable working environments, while the broader collection offers options for different seasons and working conditions.
Good workwear needs to do more than look the part. DX4 garments are designed with practical details that support everyday use, including multiple storage options, reinforced areas and features intended to improve durability. The DX4 Work Trouser, for example, includes triple stitching, multi-functional pockets and adjustable knee pad pockets.
These details make the range suitable for a wide variety of professionals. Whether someone needs secure storage for tools, flexibility for physical tasks or comfortable clothing for a long day on site, DX4 offers a range of options to consider.
For retailers, this broad appeal is an important advantage. DX4 can suit customers across multiple trades and industries, while offering a consistent range of garments that can be mixed and matched. It is a collection that brings together performance, comfort and style in a way that works for many different people.
Think Workwear, Think DX4
From the workshop to the construction site, DX4 is designed to support the people who keep things moving. With stretch fabrics, practical features and a versatile collection, it offers workwear that is comfortable, functional and ready for the demands of everyday life. Whatever the job, DX4 is a range worth considering when comfort and performance matter.
For more information visit www.charleshughes.ie.
Behind The Scenes, Creating a Best Seller
It’s rare for a new product to immediately become a best seller, but that’s exactly what happed when LMA1880 developed the Metaphore. From drawing board to becoming the best selling export trousers, it has taken over 2 years to design, test and launch this product.
LMA1880, part of the Coverguard group, set out to design a product that was internationally accepted. This task was given to the export manager Bruno Gomez who drafted in the opinions and expertise of his team. The objective was to create a quality product, that would suit many markets across northern Europe.
It was decided to target Ireland, Netherlands, and Belgium, and design something that would be popular and incorporate the best designs of all styles.
LMA1880 have always consulted their customer base and designed products that suited the demands and standards required and that’s exactly what they did.
Customers tasked LMA with producing something practical, comfortable and hardwearing but it needed to appeal across different European markets at a competitive price.
It was over to the designers, now it’s the turn of Carole Demillecamps, a woman of exceptional design talent and an eye for fashion. Carole believes there is no reason why workwear should be boring, she will aways add the French flair that makes LMA product stand out.
Carole’s first thought is always on comfort, after all, workers spend most of their working lives in work trousers.
She decided on a ripstop polyamide elastane allowing the garment to stretch four different ways.
The elasticated no slip waist band has a raised back and 7 belt loops to hold everything in place comfortably.
Oxford 300 reinforcement was placed on the hems, kneepads and pockets ensuring that your knees stay safe and dry when kneeling.
Carole thought about the holster pockets, cleverly designing them for different functions. One offers generous volume for nails, screws, fixing etc, while the other is designed to hold tools. These are shaped to fit inside the hand pockets when not in use.
Zipped cargo pockets hold your phone and wallet in place, along with a hammer loop and a ruler pocket.
As if all that wasn’t enough, the trousers are ergonomically pre-shaped to follow the curve of your leg and have a waterrepellent treatment to reduce water absorption, keeping you dry.
All these requirements were passed to the design and creation team who brought the Metaphore to life.
When Carole presented the trouser to the export team they knew straight away it was a winner. The A+A exhibition in Dusseldorf and the Hardware show in the RDS were chosen.
The Metaphore (black) and Paradox (navy) were on display for the first time and customers loved them. Forward orders were placed for a work trousers that would not be available for another 8 months.
Once the product hit the shelves in July, reorders were almost instant, with customers buying them for themselves, their family and friends.
Anybody interested in seeing a sample can call Peter Dunican on 087 9660561 or e-mail peter.dunican@lebeurre.com
