Hamilton Carhartt founded the workwear company that became Carhartt in 1889.
Carhartt began in Detroit, Michigan, making durable work clothing. Hamilton Carhartt’s early business used sturdy fabrics and practical construction for railroad workers and other laborers. The company later became associated with garments such as work jackets, bib overalls and rugged trousers.
Carhartt is not exclusively a jeans brand, but its workwear has had a major influence on denim and casual clothing. Its brown duck fabric, heavy-duty construction and utilitarian styling are often discussed alongside workwear denim.
The year 1889 marks the company’s founding. It should not be confused with the later creation of Carhartt Work in Progress, a European fashion-oriented line that developed separately from the original American workwear business.