When it comes to crossover brands of workwear, the sort that makes just as many appearances on the work site as they do at the nightclub, two names come up more than any other: Carhartt and Dickies.
Some people like to keep a simple closet, full of options that go to dinner after the workday ends without looking out of place. Other folks like the rugged look of a pair of Dickies or Carhartt pants out on the street.
Not only are they more affordable than their fancier counterparts, they last longer, look better longer, and have that rebellious aesthetic of belonging to a unique club. If one sees someone else on the street wearing work clothes, it’s like a secret handshake.
Both companies have been around for at least a century at this point, but Carhartt has three more decades on Dickies. If a brand can last 100 years, then it’s not about to go anywhere soon.
In the United States, one can buy both brands just as easily, but across the pond, Carhartt is easier to find. They have a handful of outlets in England.
That said, neither brand is exclusively made in the U.S.A. Both offer made in the U.S.A. options if one prefers to support U.S. labor.
If you are the sort of buyer who only purchases items from brands who keep their labor in the United States, there are options that are exclusively American made.
Dickies Overview
Established in 1922, Dickies produces durable and functional clothing for a range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, and hospitality. It is known for its rugged design and high-quality materials, offering a wide range of clothing, including pants, jackets, shirts, and more.
Key Advantages of Dickies
- Durability: Made with high-quality fabrics, Dickies clothing is designed to withstand harsh work environments.
- Comfort: Offers a variety of fits and styles, ensuring comfort for all-day wear.
- Affordability: Known for offering excellent value without compromising on quality.
- Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of industries, from construction to casual wear.
Key Disadvantages of Dickies
- Heavy materials: Some Dickies garments may feel too heavy or stiff for anyone seeking lightweight options.
- Sizing: Some users find the sizing inconsistent or less adaptable for various body types.
- Limited style options: While functional, the designs may not appeal to those seeking trendy or fashionable workwear.
Carhartt Overview
Carhartt was founded in 1889 and specializes in workwear. It has become known for its exceptional durability and long-lasting performance. It caters to a wide range of industries, including construction, agriculture, and outdoor work with heavy-duty clothing including jackets, overalls, pants, and shirts – all offering protection and comfort in tough work environments.
Key Advantages of Carhartt
- Exceptional durability: Carhartt garments are made from tough materials like duck canvas, ensuring longevity in harsh conditions.
- Comfort and fit: Designed for a wide range of body types, offering comfort for all-day wear.
- Functional design: Features like reinforced stitching and multiple pockets enhance usability.
- Weather resistance: Offers clothing suitable for extreme weather, including waterproof and insulated options.
- Brand reputation: Well-regarded for quality, reliability, and a trusted choice for workers globally.
Key Disadvantages of Carhartt
- Price: Carhartt products tend to be on the higher end in terms of pricing.
- Heavy weight: Some garments can be bulkier and heavier, which may not appeal to everyone..
- Limited fashion appeal: The functional designs may lack the style preferences of those seeking trendy options.
Material Quality and Durability
Both Dickies and Carhartt use high-quality fabrics and construction methods designed for durability and wear resistance in even the toughest work environments.
Dickies uses fabrics like polyester-cotton blends and heavy-duty duck canvas, which offer a great balance of comfort and strength. Their reinforced stitching and triple-needle seams offers longevity, while their use of durable water-repellent finishes provides added resistance against the elements. However, we do have to say their fabrics can sometimes feel a little stiff until broken in.
Carhartt is known for its heavy-duty duck canvas and denim, focusing on rugged durability. They are also highly resistant to abrasion and wear. Construction methods include reinforced rivets, double-stitched seams, and triple-needle stitching, ensuring long-lasting performance even when you are taking on the toughest jobs. The brand’s use of water-resistant treatments and insulation options give the garments’ functionality and longevity, though they tend to be bulkier and heavier than other workwear.
Fit and Comfort
Dickies offers a variety of fits, including relaxed and slim, with comfort features like moisture-wicking linings and stretch materials adding to the appeal. However, as we mentioned above, their garments can feel stiff initially, requiring a break-in period for improved flexibility.
Carhartt provides a roomier fit, with articulated knees, elbows, and reinforced areas for better range of motion. Their heavier fabrics offer durability but can feel bulky. However, once broken in, Carhartt apparel delivers excellent comfort and mobility, especially for demanding tasks.
Price and Value for Money
Let’s put this out there right away. In general, one will spend a little more for Carhartt over Dickies. This is the argument often made against purchasing Carhartt workwear.
Where the issue comes to a head is when someone is trying to fill a closet with work wear for a new job. Picking up a single jacket is one thing. When buying a week’s worth of clothes, a ten dollar difference adds up to a significant cost, especially for someone who might be starting a new job, especially if that person was recently unemployed. For those who are already working, the cost will not matter much in this decision.
There’s no doubt Dickies provides solid quality for the cost, making it a great option for budget-conscious buyers. Carhartt, while hitting you slightly harder in the pocket, offers superior durability and long-term performance, making it a better investment if you’re looking for extreme durability.
Product Range and Offerings
Dickies make all the classic workwear essentials, including pants, shirts, jackets, and accessories, with a focus on everyday functionality and affordability. Their products suit a range of light to medium-duty jobs. Carhartt, on the other hand, offers a more expansive and rugged selection, featuring heavy-duty jackets, overalls, flame-resistant gear, and weather-resistant accessories. Their products are designed for high-performance and extreme work conditions. So, while both brands cover core needs, we think Carhartt delivers greater variety for demanding industrial and outdoor environments.
Double Knee Pants Evaluation
Dickies double-knee pants are tough but lean, offering solid durability and functionality at a budget-friendly price. They get the job done but can feel a bit rigid. Carhartt takes it up a notch with reinforced knees, built to handle some more serious abuse. Their design is bulkier but built for the long haul.
Jacket Styles Analysis
Dickies jackets are straightforward, offering basic functionality with no-frills. They use durable fabrics like polyester-cotton blends, ideal for light to medium-duty work. Carhartt, however, goes harder with tougher materials like duck canvas and heavyweight insulation. Their jackets are built to withstand extreme conditions, offering more versatility and protection for rough environments.
Work Jackets Comparison
Dickies work jackets are durable enough for everyday tasks, using solid polyester-cotton blends, but they don’t offer much insulation for extreme cold. They perform well in moderate conditions, but they’re not built for heavy-duty use. Carhartt jackets, on the other hand, are made for the long haul. Made with tough duck canvas and often insulated with premium materials, they excel in harsh weather, offering superior warmth and durability for the most demanding environments.
Final Thoughts
The value of a product comes down to personal perception. For most working folks, cost is something of a factor, but only in so much as spending should be commensurate with the quality.
Split down the middle, the quality between these two respectable brands is about the same. A pair of dungarees from either will last about the same, which is somewhere in the neighborhood of forever.
The value in this regard, if it’s not about durability or cost, becomes then a matter of personal taste and fit. These clothes go on your body. Especially if you’re buying this workwear to function in your work life as well as your personal life, they should fit you without discomfort or distraction.
If they fit right at first, then they will only fit better over time. That moment, when a pair of jeans slides on like curling up under a soft throw during a winter storm, is the whole reason to value buying the right work wear in the first place.
So, which is better???
If it’s not clear at this point, consider the way these clothes fit above any other factor. Don’t let the perceived reputations, histories or costs factor into your decision. These two brands divide about the same. They are both U.S. brands with iron-clad, century-long reputations in the field.
This is workwear, worn by working people, our favorite kind of people at All Seasons Uniforms.
Sources
All Seasons Uniforms. (n.d.). Carhartt workwear and apparel. All Seasons Uniforms. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.allseasonsuniforms.com/brand-names/carhartt
All Seasons Uniforms. (n.d.). Dickies workwear and uniforms. All Seasons Uniforms. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.allseasonsuniforms.com/brand-names/dickies
All Seasons Uniforms. (n.d.). American made uniforms and workwear. All Seasons Uniforms. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.allseasonsuniforms.com/american-made
All Seasons Uniforms. (n.d.). 5 autumn work pant options for men that go to dinner too. All Seasons Uniforms. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.allseasonsuniforms.com/blog/5-autumn-work-pant-options-for-men-that-go-to-dinner-too
About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.