In 1889, with four sewing machines and a small team of five, Hamilton Carhartt began crafting overalls in Dearborn, Michigan, under the tagline “honest value for an honest dollar.” From its humble beginnings creating durable, practical pieces for manual labourers in the American Midwest, Carhartt’s womenswear trajectory to streetwear icon is entwined with the burgeoning subcultures of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Carhartt’s boxy workwear staples were co-opted in the ‘80s by hip-hop artists in New York City and Los Angeles. A century after the brand’s birth, in 1994, Edwin and Salomée Faeh launched Carhartt Work in Progress (WIP), to bring heritage workwear to a European audience, following demand from hip-hop fans, skaters and graffiti artists alike.
Here at SneakersbeShops, the Carhartt women's collection showcases iconic American workwear styles for those seeking utilitarian pieces that stay true to the brand’s origins and the subcultures that embraced it. Pay tribute to Carhartt’s manufacturing history in Michigan and Detroit jackets. Or, elevate your athleisurewear rotation in Nelson sweats. Layer up by styling an Arlington vest over a classic Carhartt WIP tee for a utilitarian look.
To channel Wild West vibes, check out Carhartt WIP’s refined reinterpretations of Western aesthetics - expect ornate embroidery, robust denim and Western graphics. Our women's Carhartt WIP collection offers a modern adaptation of robust workwear for the contemporary streetwear enthusiast. Boxy silhouettes, technical fabrics and oversized fits are all signed off with the minimalist Carhartt WIP square logo for understated yet instantly recognisable garments.