The truth is men’s shirts have always been better than women’s. In my opinion, finding nice slouchy, comfortable work shirts was a men’s thing, not a femme thing. I always found women shirts were too tight across my full bust, or strong arms - tough chick problems.
There were two people who didn’t mind me stealing their shirts: my dad and my grandfather - both very well dressed, hardworking softies who let me take their shirts and love them. I spent my teenage years stealing and absolutely thrashing some of their work shirts, my body drowned in them a little, but the fit and feel was far superior to anything else.
Apart from the very occasional Opp shop score it has been impossible for me to find anything similar. Sure, these days you can buy VERY EXPENSIVE oversized linen shirts made for women, but nothing heavy duty or at an accessible price point.
The history of French workers wearing chore coats is a tale steeped in practicality and style. Originally designed in the late 1900's, these coats were crafted from durable cotton drill to withstand the rigors of manual labour. The distinct French blue became a symbol of the working class, and the jackets featured multiple pockets for tools and personal items. Over time, the chore coat transcended its humble origins, becoming a timeless staple in fashion circles for its utilitarian chic.
*The first time I stumbled upon images of French workers in their iconic cotton drill chore coats, I was filled with a nostalgic reminder of work shirts from my dad and grandfather. These coats had one thing their shirts didn’t though, an added dose of handiness with hip pockets too. They also didn’t look like oversized mens shirts on the working women who wore them but were in proportion to their size and body shapes. Instantly, my brain was ticking over – how could I combine the two to create the perfect solution?
Designing the perfect soft cotton drill work jacket was a labour of love with a dash of nostalgia. I wanted to capture the essence of the work shirts I used to pilfer from family wardrobes - but with a touch of that French chore jacket feeling.
It had to have those handy waist pockets for hands and big buttoned chest pockets to store essentials. Plus, it was crucial that the fit remained relaxed and slouchy, just like Dad's old shirts, BUT, made to my proportions so it sat cleanly on my shoulders and the hem didn’t fall too far down my leg - to look a little more proportionate and professional when needed.
The result? A delightful blend of familiarity and fresh style 😎.
Creating the 'Farrier' jacket brought me immense joy. Named after the strong & skilled workers who care for horses' feet - tough, practical, yet soft and relaxed, it embodied everything I loved about the old family work shirts, fused with the practical style of the French chore coat.
It was one of those perfect solutions to a lifelong problem I faced - finding that classic, comfortable men’s fit, but actually made for my body and from a responsibly sourced material that could go the distance and still feel soft and comforting.
We’ve made something tough enough to work in, nostalgic enough to feel safe in, Well-fitting enough to wear in the office and versatile enough to work onsite, in the garden or throw on for a date.
Just usual SÜK stuff, we hope you find as much joy in it as we do ❤️
~ Mimosa x
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