Chore jackets were "clothing for work."
While we see chore jackets as a staple of fashion today, their origins date back to America in the late 19th to early 20th centuries.
![[SCYE BASICS] Selvedge Black Denim Chore Jacket - apartir Online Store apartir Select Shop](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0692/7938/3859/files/scye-basics-selvedge-black-denim-chore-jacketproduct-typeapartir-online-storenagoyaselectshop-2718651.jpg?v=1784716814)
Railroad workers, engineers, farmers, lumberjacks, factory laborers—
They were truly "jackets as tools," crafted to protect the body in harsh environments.
In English, it is called a Chore Jacket (or "cover all").
It is said the name comes from the way the garment was worn over other clothes to protect the wearer's body from dirt and wear.
They were made from sturdy materials like denim and duck canvas.
![[SCYEBASICS] Cotton Duck Chore Jacket - apartir Online Store apartir Select Shop](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0692/7938/3859/files/scyebasics-cotton-duck-chore-jacketscyebasicsapartir-online-storenagoyaselectshop-6167215.jpg?v=1767348312)
Large pockets for storing tools.
A loose silhouette for ease of movement.
Everything about them was a design born from the "reasons to work."
However, as time passed, their functional beauty was recognized in the vintage world, and today they have become universal items synonymous with workwear.
There are various lineages of chore jackets.
The term "chore jacket" encompasses many different backgrounds.
American Workwear
The most iconic examples are from American workwear brands like Levi's, Lee, and Carhartt.
Large patch pockets.
Boxy silhouettes.
Unadorned designs that prioritize practicality.
It is a classic style that grew alongside the culture of enjoying the aging process of clothing.
![[SCYE BASICS] Lightweight Denim Chore Jacket - apartir Online Store apartir Select Shop](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0692/7938/3859/products/scyebasics-lightweight-denim-chore-jacket-796372.jpg?v=1696732565)
French Workwear
In France, work jackets made from moleskin or cotton twill are the mainstream.
Vibrant ink-blue hues.
Slightly slimmer silhouettes.
They possess an elegant, urban atmosphere.
Today, they are highly sought after in the vintage market.
![[SCYEBASICS] Cotton Duck Chore Jacket - apartir Online Store apartir Select Shop](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0692/7938/3859/files/scyebasics-cotton-duck-chore-jacketscyebasicsapartir-online-storenagoyaselectshop-1173961.jpg?v=1767348310)
British Workwear
And then there is the UK, where SCYE finds its roots.
British workwear, while practical clothing, is deeply influenced by the culture of tailoring.
Shoulder fit.
Forward-pitched sleeves.
Collar angles.
A three-dimensional design that follows the body naturally.
They are not just durable—they are designed to be worn beautifully.
SCYE BASICS carries this British aesthetic into the modern day.

The SCYE BASICS take on the chore jacket.
SCYE BASICS is not a brand that simply reproduces vintage items.
While respecting history, they excel at redesigning clothing to suit the modern lifestyle.
This black denim chore jacket is no exception.
It is based on the British work jackets of the 1930s and 40s.
To this, they have added the three-dimensional cutting that SCYE is known for.
There is no unnecessary stress around the shoulders,
and the fabric doesn't pull when you reach your arms forward.
While retaining the roominess expected of workwear,
it looks surprisingly elegant.
This is the true essence of SCYE.

A beautiful contrast created by the leather collar.
The first thing to catch your eye on this jacket
is the contrast between the black denim and the cowhide leather.
![[SCYE BASICS] Selvedge Black Denim Chore Jacket - apartir Online Store apartir Select Shop](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0692/7938/3859/files/scye-basics-selvedge-black-denim-chore-jacketproduct-typeapartir-online-storenagoyaselectshop-1595877.jpg?v=1784716816)
This is not just for visual effect.
Many British vintage work jackets
featured collars reinforced with leather.
This was to protect the neckline, which was the most prone to wear.
In other words, this leather collar also originates from function.
While respecting that background, SCYE
has chosen a smooth cowhide leather.
Against the deep black denim,
the leather adds a subtle sheen.
Because the materials are different,
the reflection of light changes even though the color is the same black,
creating a beautiful depth.
The matte texture of the denim.
The luster of the leather.
This difference in texture
gives the garment an overwhelming depth.

It is not flamboyant.
But you can clearly tell the difference.
It is a design for adults.
The "depth" created by black denim
When you hear "denim," most people think of indigo blue.
However, black denim has a charm that blue denim does not.
It lies in the aging process.
As you wear it, the black gradually fades to gray,
and as the wear patterns appear,
it gains an expression that looks like layers of colors stacked on top of one another.
SCYE uses selvedge denim woven on old-fashioned shuttle looms.
Woven slowly over time, the fabric
is airy,
offering both softness and firmness.
Furthermore, due to a moderate wash treatment,
you can enjoy a natural feel from the day you purchase it.
And after a few years,
it will grow into a one-of-a-kind piece of black denim.
The brand new item is not the final form.
It is a material designed to be "grown."
Beautiful patterns only a tailor would notice.
When you try on this chore jacket,
the first thing that surprises you is the shoulder area.
It looks loose.
Yet, it feels incredibly light when you move.
The reason is
SCYE’s unique anatomical pattern.
Human beings do not live their lives with their arms hanging straight down at their sides.
Slightly forward.
Slightly inward.
SCYE designs its patterns with that natural posture as the benchmark.
That is why it looks beautiful not just when you are standing,
but even while you are walking.
Merging tailoring with workwear—
this is precisely what that means.
The more you wear it, the more it becomes uniquely yours.
Turn up the cuffs to reveal the flannel lining,
and the leather collar will gain more luster.
The black denim will fade,
and the stitching will take on a three-dimensional depth.
You don't need to wear it every day.
Slip it on as the seasons turn.
That process
will engrave its own unique expression.
Clothes are not disposable goods,
but tools that share your time.
This chore jacket is a piece that reminds you of that philosophy.
From apartir
We believe in proposing clothes that can be worn naturally in modern life, rather than just reproducing vintage items.
This SCYE BASICS black denim chore jacket
is a piece that quietly speaks to you of the history of workwear,
British tailoring,
the aging of selvedge denim,
and the contrast of materials.
The three-dimensional silhouette, the depth of the fabric, and the texture of the leather—which photos alone cannot convey—are points we highly encourage you to see in person.
At apartir in Nayabashi, Nagoya, we are also happy to provide advice on sizing and styling. We hope you will find a piece that will accompany your wardrobe for a long time, both here and through our online shop.



