How A $16 Hat Made Carhartt A Billion-Dollar Brand

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Carhartt has been the unofficial uniform of America’s blue-collar workforce since 1889. The Detroit brand cut its teeth outfitting railroad workers with bib overalls before expanding its offerings for laborers from farmers to carpenters and construction workers. Once the hip-hop community adopted the workwear style, Carhartt became a pop culture icon.

Today, it’s almost impossible to walk around any major city from New York to Los Angles, from Tokyo to London, without seeing Carhartt jackets, Carhartt beanies, and Carhartt pants. The beanie is actually called the Carhartt watch cap and it’s by far its most popular product with Carhartt selling about 4 million of them a year. A wide range of celebrities from Jamie Foxx and Kanye West o Rihanna, Bella Hadid and Drake all wear Carhartt gear.

The company says it has never sought out that kind of attention. In fact, fast fashion and the fleeting exposure that comes with it are anathema to its mantra: outworking the mall since 1889.

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How A $16 Hat Made Carhartt A Billion-Dollar Brand

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28 COMMENTS

  1. I've been wearing Carhartt for 30 years and I guess they think all people fit in either a small medium or large now! so long Carhartt anybody knows of a good brand hit me up

  2. Essentially the company is saying it didn’t necessarily want hip hop clothing to be a driver or gear towards people of color but the ball bounced that way and they were happy to ride the wave…hilariously successful though they keep staying true to mid America lol

  3. All Stores 900,000 Please Lower the price of all Brands of Military Equipment and Local for All Brands of Products and Production Cost Now 900,000 That's Too Much $$ 900,000 Now All CartHart Stores 900,000 The Whole World 900,000 Now 🙏 🤲 🕍 🕌 ⛪ 🛕

  4. Carhartt , Please do not lose your roots , the working blue collar put your company where it is at . I would like to see some down filled clothing and a larger Made in America selection . Thank You !

  5. There clothes hold up good .more need be made in USA .lot over seas but good brand.other then that clothes, brand hold up good for me and keep me warm . Don't forget there wool, fleece lining pants for winter s must if need stay warm.!

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