Why Carhartt WIP Is the Go-To Workwear for Skaters

While the original Carhartt was born on factory floors and freight trains, Carhartt WIP — Work In Progress — found its footing in city streets, crusty spots, and underground venues. Launched in 1994 by Swiss designer Edwin Faeh, Carhartt WIP took the rugged DNA of the American workwear brand and flipped it for the European street scene. It wasn’t a rebrand. It was a rebirth.

Where the OG Carhartt made jackets for welders and railroaders, WIP made gear for graffiti kids, hip-hop heads, BMX riders, and skaters — the youth cultures pushing against the grain. And while plenty of brands tried to cash in on street style, WIP didn’t just jump into the scene — it built with it.

From early on, Carhartt WIP wasn’t afraid to back the real ones — the underground skaters, the filmers with no budget, the events that didn’t care about mainstream sponsorships. They put together a core skate team, not just with big-name pros, but with skaters who lived the lifestyle: gritty, raw, and creative. Their clips weren’t polished ads — they felt like sessions with the crew. Relatable. Rugged. Real.

And WIP didn’t stop at just gear. Their stores doubled as culture hubs — hosting exhibitions, mixtape drops, skate video premieres, and zine launches. Walk into a Carhartt WIP space and you might catch a skate crew from Berlin, a DJ from New York, and a pop-up show for an artist from Tokyo — all in the same week. It’s a brand that participates, not just spectates.

Their skate films like “INSIDE OUT” or “GALLIANO” weren’t just background noise — they were thoughtful, well-shot skate edits that helped put new cities and crews on the map. They didn’t just sponsor contests — they backed DIY events, funded street missions, and showed love to local scenes long before it was trendy.

That early and consistent connection with skateboarding gave Carhartt WIP credibility — not just in the fashion world, but in the skate world where credibility matters. Where you back it up with clips, commitment, and culture — not logos.

So while other brands tried to dip into skating when it got cool, Carhartt WIP was already in the van, hitting crusty spots, handing out gear, and filming on VX. It wasn’t a marketing move — it was a lifestyle decision. And skaters noticed.

In skateboarding, your gear either holds up — or taps out. When you’re hucking yourself down 10-stairs, slamming on rough asphalt, or knee-sliding through grime at your local DIY, the last thing you want is your trousers giving up before you do. That’s where Carhartt WIP comes in: gear that’s not just built to skate in, but built to survive it.

Unlike fast fashion or trend-hype labels that crumble on impact, Carhartt WIP holds its ground with reinforced seams, heavyweight fabrics, and relaxed cuts made for movement. Every product is designed with one thing in mind: longevity under pressure. From the first fall to the hundredth session, WIP fits wear in — not out.

Take the Double Knee Pant — a skater staple for a reason. Originally made for construction sites, these trousers feature extra reinforcement at the knees — perfect for those repeated knee slides, scuffs, and unintentional ground kisses. Pair it with the Single Knee Pant if you want that same ruggedness in a slightly looser, more breathable silhouette. It’s gear that doesn’t just survive slams — it gets character from them.

Then there’s the Detroit Jacket — a cult classic that’s half workwear, half armor. With its tough canvas shell, corduroy collar, and cropped cut, it’s become one of the most iconic jackets in skating. The Michigan Coat follows close behind — all the grit of traditional Carhartt outerwear, softened with WIP’s subtle tailoring and street sensibility.

And let’s not forget the Hooded Chase Sweatshirt — heavyweight, clean, and built like a tank. No loose cuffs, no thin fabric, no nonsense. Just a solid skate hoodie that works just as hard on a January ledge mission as it does posted at the curb with the crew.

What makes Carhartt WIP gear even more legit? The more you wear it, the better it looks. The canvas fades. The knees fray. The seams show battle scars. WIP gear tells your story session by session — it doesn’t fall apart, it ages in. It’s anti-fast-fashion in every way.

That’s why skaters trust it. Because while other brands are chasing microtrends, Carhartt WIP is quietly doing what it’s always done — making tough, clean gear that can take a beating and keep going. And when the spots get rough and the landings get gnarly, that’s the gear you want in your corner.

Carhartt WIP isn’t just about lasting through slams — it’s about looking good while doing it. Over the years, the brand has quietly built a reputation as the underground uniform for those who move differently. From skateparks to sound stages, warehouse raves to runways, Carhartt WIP has earned its place as more than just gear — it’s a statement.

What started as reworked workwear has now found its way into music videos, fashion weeks, and art galleries — without ever losing its grip on skate culture. You’ll spot it on pro skaters mid-line, indie rappers behind the mic, photographers in back alleys, and stylists in the front row. And it doesn’t matter if you’re stacking clips or styling a shoot — the same Detroit Jacket or Double Knee Pant shows up every time. It speaks the same language: authenticity, function, and timeless cool.

A big part of Carhartt WIP’s fashion power lies in its quiet confidence. While other brands scream with big graphics and hype slogans, WIP leans into subtle iconography, minimal design, and durable silhouettes. It doesn’t need to shout. The triple-stitching, the weight of the fabric, and that small square tag say enough.

Skaters especially gravitate to this lowkey energy — clothes that feel built for the street, not the spotlight. Whether you’re filming lines at golden hour or just chilling curbside, WIP gear blends right in. The baggy fits, heavy canvas pants, oversized hoodies, tonal jackets, and neutral palettes have become core staples of modern skate fashion. And the beauty is, none of it feels forced. It just works.

Over the years, Carhartt WIP has also dropped some legendary collaborations — from skate-focused links with Polar Skate Co. and Converse CONS, to fashion collabs with A.P.C., New Balance, and even Junya Watanabe. But instead of chasing hype, these collabs feel curated — rooted in culture, not clout.

That’s the difference. While other brands jump on trends, Carhartt WIP sets its own pace. It doesn’t care about flash-in-the-pan popularity — it cares about consistency, quality, and relevance across the long game. It’s not trying to be the loudest in the room. It just happens to be the one everyone’s watching.

For skaters, that means wearing something that reflects the same mindset — understated, unbreakable, and undeniably authentic.

If Carhartt WIP’s past is built on workwear and its present is cemented in skate culture, then its future is all about community, collaboration, and staying rooted while going global.

Unlike brands chasing overnight hype or viral fame, Carhartt WIP plays the long game. Its focus isn’t on fast sellouts — it’s on building real culture. You see it in their ongoing partnerships with core skate brands like Polar Skate Co., Quartersnacks, Vans, and Converse CONS. These aren’t flashy cash grabs — they’re well-aligned collabs that amplify what skating actually looks like around the world.

But WIP’s commitment goes way beyond product drops. They’ve spent years investing in local scenes, backing DIY skateparks, underground zines, video projects, and crew-based content that reflects the soul of skateboarding. From hosting warehouse video premieres in Berlin to supporting filmers documenting rough street spots in São Paulo — Carhartt WIP isn’t showing up just for the ‘gram. It’s showing up for the session.

Their global skate team is a perfect reflection of this. You’ve got talent from Europe, Japan, South America, and beyond — a diverse lineup that mirrors the modern, borderless face of skateboarding. And WIP doesn’t just slap their name on boards and bounce — they support the skaters' creative work, film parts, host events, and push long-term progression over quick exposure.

That same mindset shows up in their sustainability efforts too. As younger skaters get more conscious about what they wear and where it comes from, WIP has been stepping up — incorporating organic cotton, low-impact dyeing, and transparent sourcing across their lines. They’re not perfect — but they’re making real moves, and that counts.

So where does that leave Carhartt WIP in skateboarding’s future?

It’s not trying to be the loudest brand on your feed. It’s not trying to be the cheapest. And it’s definitely not trying to be the trendiest. What it’s doing — steadily, globally, and with intent — is building a legacy. A brand that stays relevant without selling out. That collaborates without compromising. That supports skateboarding without exploiting it.

Some call it the Supreme of workwear. But honestly? It’s carving its own lane. Slower, deeper, and built to last — just like the gear it makes.

Carhartt WIP isn’t going anywhere. It’s just getting started.