Journal · Product guide
A 1950s work jacket that ended up staying on the street.
The Detroit is Carhartt WIP's most recognisable jacket: Dearborn canvas, a corduroy collar and a short, boxy silhouette. Here are the differences between the Winter and the Summer, how it fits and the alternative if you want a hood.
In short
Winter or Summer? The Winter has a blanket-style lining and nylon-lined sleeves: it is the warm one. The Summer is unlined and closes at the cuffs and hem with snap buttons: lighter, for the in-between seasons.
How does it fit? Loose and boxy, with room for layers underneath. For reference, the Summer model is 186 cm tall and wears a size M.
01 · The origin
From the job site to the street
Carhartt has been making workwear since 1889, when Hamilton Carhartt began producing overalls in duck and denim. The jacket we now know as the Detroit was introduced in 1954 and for years was simply called the Zipper Jacket: short, in hard-wearing canvas, with a zip and the corduroy collar that sets it apart.
Carhartt WIP (Work In Progress) was born in 1994, when Edwin Faeh set up the company to distribute Carhartt in Europe. In 1996 it obtained the licence to manufacture outside the United States, and the following year it released its first collection and opened its first store, on Neal Street in London. WIP brought workwear closer to a street cut, and the Detroit became one of its signature jackets.
02 · Winter vs Summer
One jacket, two seasons
Both share the cotton Dearborn canvas, the corduroy collar and the front zip. What changes is what goes inside and how the cuffs and hem adjust.
Winter
Blanket lining
A warm blanket-style lining in the body and nylon-lined sleeves, so it slips easily over other layers.
Winter
Two-way zip
Two-way zip, adjustable cuffs and hem, a zipped chest pocket, side pockets and an inside pocket.
Summer
Unlined
Organic cotton Dearborn Canvas, with no lining. Lighter and easy to wear as an outer layer between seasons.
Summer
Snap buttons
Cuffs and lower band adjust with snap buttons, plus side pockets and a zipped chest pocket.
03 · Spec sheet
Winter and Summer, in figures
- FabricWinter: cotton Dearborn Canvas; 340 g and organic cotton on the Dark Navy. Summer: Dearborn Canvas, 100% organic cotton.
- LiningWinter: blanket-style in the body, nylon in the sleeves. Summer: unlined; pocket lining in 65% polyester and 35% cotton.
- FasteningWinter: two-way zip. Summer: front zip.
- Cuffs and hemWinter: adjustable. Summer: adjustable with snap buttons.
- FitWinter: loose and boxy. Summer: short and structured, with a straight body.
- CareSummer: machine wash up to 40 °C and tumble dry up to 60 °C. Winter: follow the care label.
- ReferenceWinter: I015264. Summer: I033112.
04 · At ECRU
Detroit Jacket
The Winter in Dark Navy and Tobacco, the Summer in Hamilton Brown and Black, and the OG Detroit in 13.5 oz Smith denim.
Detroit · Winter
Tobacco / Black
Dearborn canvas, corduroy collar and a blanket-style lining.
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Detroit · Summer
Hamilton Brown / Tobacco
Unlined, with snap buttons at the cuffs and hem.
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Detroit · OG
Blue / Dusty H Brown
13.5 oz Smith denim, old used wash and a striped blanket lining.
View product →05 · Sizing
Loose and boxy
The Detroit has a loose cut with a boxy silhouette; the Summer is short with a straight body. It is not a fitted jacket: the volume is part of its shape and leaves room for layers underneath. On the Winter, the nylon-lined sleeves also help it go over a jumper.
For reference, the Summer model is 186 cm tall and wears an M; on the OG Detroit, 183 cm and also an M. The rigid finish feels firm at first and softens with wear. If you are between two sizes, you can try it on in our La Orotava store.
06 · Alternative
Active Jacket: the hooded version
If you want the same idea with a hood, the Active Jacket is its natural partner: Dearborn canvas, a front zip, a kangaroo pocket and rib trims at the cuffs and hem. The Active in Hamilton Brown is 11.3 oz Dearborn Canvas with a rigid finish; the OG Active jackets are 12 oz organic cotton Dearborn with the original loose cut.
The OG Active Black also has a diamond-quilted lining in the body and sleeves. And if you only want the nod, there is the Mini Active Jacket keyring, with a metal ring for your keys or backpack.
07 · At ECRU
Active Jacket
08 · To complete the look
What to wear it with
The Detroit calls for trousers with some body: a canvas Single Knee, Payson jeans or a Simple Pant. We compare them in our Carhartt WIP trousers guide.
Underneath, a Chase T-shirt or an S/S Pocket. You will find them in the Carhartt WIP sweatshirts and T-shirts guide.
FAQ
Questions about the Detroit
Which version of the Detroit is warmer?
The Winter, thanks to the blanket-style lining in the body and the nylon-lined sleeves. The Summer is unlined and made for the in-between seasons.
What is the difference between the Detroit and the Active Jacket?
The Detroit has a corduroy collar and a zip, with no hood. The Active has a hood, a kangaroo pocket and rib trims at the cuffs and hem.
How do I wash the Detroit Jacket?
It depends on the version. The Summer can be machine washed up to 40 °C and tumble dried up to 60 °C. For the Winter and the OG Detroit, follow the care label.
Where can I buy Carhartt WIP in Tenerife?
At ECRU: in our La Orotava store and online at ecru.es, with shipping to all the Canary Islands, mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands.