Carhartt WIP
Number of products: 1511
Established in 1994 by Edwin Faeh, Carhartt Work In Progress (WIP) develops its own collections based on original Carhartt workwear. The brand combines authentic adaptations of these robust American archetypes, while engaging with the subcultures that have embraced it. This, in turn, has seen Carhartt WIP place itself in a new context and bring forth its own classics.
Carhartt WIP. Where Workwear Meets Streetwear with Real Edge
Carhartt WIP stands for Work In Progress, but it’s really about evolution – how a clothing brand known for durable workwear turned into a streetwear icon. The story began in 1994, when Carhartt’s rugged American spirit met a European twist. What came out of that mix wasn't just outdoor apparel, but a whole new way to see style, practical, built tough, yet surprisingly refined.
Carhartt WIP, designed for urban life, while the original Carhartt clothing was for builders and farmers. This label retained the same tough materials and work edge, but introduced sleek silhouettes and a dash of urban edge. Same roots, but tailored for the city instead of the countryside.
Product Offerings
The Carhartt WIP clothing line is extensive, featuring T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, bottoms, outerwear, footwear, and all the right accessories to match. You’ll see pieces like the Acrylic Watch Hat, classic Dearborn Canvas pants, and reworked denim that’s built to last years, not seasons.
Every item ties back to the same core: quality craftsmanship and functional design. You can feel that durability in the seams and see it in how the clothes age. While the main Carhartt brand focuses on Flame-Resistant and High Visibility industrial gear, Carhartt WIP adapts that workwear heritage into something wearable every day.
The women’s range deserves its own mention too – Women’s clothing here feels sturdy but clean, balancing structure and ease. It’s not trend-chasing; it’s timeless utility with style baked in.
Streetwear Identity
Carhartt WIP is a streetwear brand and, many will tell you, it is the single most important one. The brand’s association with graffiti, skateboarding, and hip hop is so deeply rooted that it does not feel like a marketing hypothesis. This is why you’ll find real ones across the artistic and musical spectrums rocking the logo as a badge of honor.
There’s a rough honesty in the brand’s design. The Rugged Flex fabrics, denim, and workwear elements all give it this grounded, lived-in feel. Every piece carries a bit of that blue-collar grit – just cut in a way that makes it street-ready. It’s streetwear that doesn’t have to shout to stand out.
Notable Collaborations
Over the years, Carhartt WIP has teamed up with some of the biggest names in the fashion world – and every time, it brings something new to the table. The Solovair collaboration blended British boot craftsmanship with Carhartt’s signature durability, turning footwear collaborations into something collectible.
Then there's sacai x Carhartt WIP, a fashion collaboration that turned workwear into art. Led by Chitose Abe, it merged new styles with layered, sculptural design.
Collaborations across diverse streetwear and luxury tiers remind you of the boldness that the A Bathing Ape x Carhartt WIP brand partnership was. Each new line drop from Carhartt WIP reminds you, it is all about evolution.
The aim was simple: take Carhartt WIP and make it fit for everyday use.
Brand Heritage and Background
Behind all the hype sits a history worth remembering. Edwin Faeh founded the European branch in 1994, building what became Carhartt WIP. His idea was simple: take the authenticity of Carhartt’s workwear and make it fit for everyday wear.
The label’s evolution mirrors the shift in culture, from factories to fashion weeks, from vintage styles to modern streetwear. It honors its brand heritage while always looking forward. Even today, Carhartt WIP stands for something rare – clothes that feel honest.
From heritage workwear to contemporary streetwear, Carhartt WIP shows that real style doesn’t need to be loud; it just needs to last.