From the Carhartt Archive: Carhartt Western Wear Then and Now

Discovering the inspiration behind the latest additions to the Montana Series

Carhartt’s mission to build durable, dependable gear that serves and protects hardworking people extends to every environment, including the wide-open prairies, sprawling canyons, cold nights, and hot days of the American West.

To celebrate the release of the newest men’s and women’s styles added to the Montana Series, we decided to dig into our own archives to learn the history behind what inspired our latest innovations as we continue to refine and update our Western gear for workers of all generations.

Our Heritage Western Gear

Originally launched in 1965, the Carhartt Ranch Coat was our first exploration into men’s Western jackets. Featuring a water-repellent, snag-proof, and wind-resistant exterior with a soft sherpa interior lining that’s still incorporated into many of our designs today with updated materials, the Ranch Coat was a hard-working entry into what would become a full line of Ranch Wear for men and women.

Starting in the 70s and continuing through the 90s, Carhartt’s Ranch Wear evolved into full-on Western Wear incorporating many of the key features that are still included today, like Western yokes, pearl snaps, and plaid, diagonal chest pocket patterns.

Inspired by the West. Built for the next frontier.

Through every iteration, Carhartt Western-inspired workwear has been crafted to the same standards as all our gear with durable materials and functional engineering for when the job must get done no matter what.

The new Montana Relaxed Fit Rugged Flex® Duck Men’s Western Jacket is directly inspired by our Heritage Western Gear like the JQ455 Lined Jacket from 1993. It features a front and back Western yoke tonally offset from the torso and sleeves. Full Swing pleated shoulders and elbows let you bend and reach without restriction, while the 80 grams of insulation is warm enough for cooler days but layers well when the temperature drops.

Another piece of Western Wear for men heavily inspired by the archives is the Men’s Montana Relaxed Fit Midweight Denim Long-Sleeve Pearl Snap Western Shirt. The durable denim build, pearl snaps, spread collar, Western yoke, and sharp angles of the chest pocket flaps draws its origins from the SU008 Mill-Washed Blue Denim Shirt from 1990.

There’s even more to the latest Montana Series including Western jackets and women’s and men’s sherpa lined puffer coats, insulated vests, shirt jacs, lightweight plaid snap front shirts, and graphic tees and caps that are fit for the next frontier.