Why Chore Coats Are Popular for Restaurant Uniforms

There’s a rising trend that prioritises comfort and functionality in foodservice and hospitality uniforms. Now more than ever, operations managers are looking for pieces that make their staff feel comfortable and confident.

Along with this trend, we’re seeing an uptick in the use of the iconic chore coat.

Why is the chore coat a sensible option for restaurants, in particular, and the hospitality industry in general? Does it have to do with comfort and functionality? If so, how can you make it work with different establishments, staff roles, and style choices?

Read on to learn more about this workwear staple and how Stock updated the classic chore coat for modern hospitality needs.

What Is a Chore Coat?

There are many iterations and takes on the classic chore coat.

However, most would agree that it’s a loose-fitting, long-sleeved jacket with roomy pockets on the hip, a button closure (5–7 buttons), and a breast pocket. The collar is typically a point shirt-style collar or a narrow spread one.

The History of the Chore Coat

The modern chore coat is thought to be a direct descendant of the blue de travail or “work blues.” For reference, the blue de travail was the manual laborer’s jacket in late nineteenth-century France.

At one point, indigo was the French military’s color. And since the dye was cheap and abundant, manufacturers used a lighter and more vibrant benzoate-based version of it for their workwear. 

Then the jacket made it across the Atlantic and into the United States, where it lost the iconic blue pigment and was dubbed the “chore coat. The “chore” was in reference to farming and laboring chores.

Soon, it was no longer only a working person’s outerwear. It became a versatile wardrobe staple instead.

A little over a decade ago, the servers in the Via Carota Italian restaurant donned the chore coat. They were one of the few to do so. But today, the vintage worker’s jacket is inspiring a lot of uniforms in the hospitality industry.

Chore Coats in Hospitality

The chore coat isn’t just ideal for restaurant FOH. It also works for hotels since it makes great front desk staff outfits. Plus, it can double as branded merch for those who want to make the customer feel like part of the inner circle.

Here’s why the chore coat is a sensible pick for hospitality folks:

  • Well-Wearing: They’re usually made from forgiving fabrics that hide stains.

  • Non-Restricting: The straight, boxy cut allows for ease of movement.

  • Long-lasting: Their robust, protective construction means you’ll have to replace uniforms less often.

  • Versatile: They can be dressed up or down to suit different establishment styles.

  • Practical: The signature roomy pockets are perfect for storing bottle openers, notepads, pens, and other tools of the trade.

  • Layarable: Their ease of layering works well for restaurants with outdoor dining.

  • Customizable: Chore coats are easy to customize with an embroidered logo or initials.

The chore coat lends a polished, put-together look. Let’s jump right in and check out some successful uniform examples:

1. Old No. 77 Hotel - Custom Charcoal Chore Coat

From Instagram, @stockmfgco

As part of our overall partnership with Provenance Hotels, we took over the uniform program for Old No. 77 Hotel, located just a few blocks from the French Quarter in New Orleans.

We were asked to outfit the front desk staff in something fresh and unique. But we also had to keep the logistics in mind. After all, re-ordering and cross-position capabilities were important for this boutique hotel.

And that’s why we went for custom chore jackets over a short-sleeved ivory Henley and a pair of khaki stretch service chinos. To balance the color scheme, we picked coats in garment-dyed charcoal.

From Instagram, @stockmfgco

The combination works perfectly well together in terms of fabrics, too. The chinos and short-sleeved Henley, on their own, are a good match for the NOLA summers. With the chores on, the outfit works for the cooler months.

Plus, the whole uniform drapes nicely and looks put together even when the pieces are a bit rumpled. That’s a great bonus for a hectic and fast-paced work environment.

From Instagram, @stockmfgco

The tailored design of the jacket elevates the classic workwear-style chinos. Still, it doesn’t compromise the friendly, approachable look you need in the FOH staff in any hospitality business.

From Instagram, @stockmfgco

Old No. 77’s uniforms aren’t just a reflection of the hotel’s timeless style, either. Staff get to personalize their outfits with pins, too.

The collar is always a good place for a colorful pin or two. But we prefer the look of pins on the signature “work shirt” chest pocket instead.

2. The Hoxton Hotel - A Versatile Chore Coat

From Instagram, @stockmfgco

During the uniform design project, we were looking for something to match the hotel’s aesthetic. So, we thought this sanded twill chore coat was perfect for the job. After all, it’s sturdy, versatile, and an absolute classic.

The chore coat pairs nicely with a cotton t-shirt and jeans, which adds a modern, relaxed feel to the overall look.

Side Note: We took a more fun (maybe a bit eccentric) route with the Hoxton Hotel’s merch. Think hand-drawn, Chicago-style hot dog t-shirts and corduroy caps with an embroidered golden hot dog.

3. Queen Mary Tavern - A Relaxed, Denim Chore Coat

From Instagram, @queenmarytavern

Our friends at Queen Mary Tavern (QM for short) tend to wear stylish but very comfy pieces while they’re working hard.

So, it only makes sense that their merch would be just as fun and relaxed. But for the tavern’s 10th anniversary, the merch also had to be special enough to rise to the occasion.

In collaboration with QM, we put together this boxy, unisex chore coat. The heavy cotton canvas material makes this jacket suitable for everyday wear.

However, this limited-release merch wouldn’t be a good fit for the tavern without a fun twist. We thought that the perfect twist, in this case, was loading the fabric with colorful embroideries of iconic QM signatures.

From Instagram, @queenmarytavern

There’s a martini and a naval sign on the front, with an olive cocktail garnish on the chest pocket. On the back, you’ll find shrimps, a juniper, and a couple of oysters. We also tossed the anniversary slogan “A Decade of Smooth Sailing”.

From Instagram, @queenmarytavern

On the inside of either sleeve, half a lemon and a bunch of sugar canes add a pop of color.

From Instagram, @queenmarytavern

The whole chore coat, inside and out, is designed to be a QM regular’s dream outerwear.

This chore coat is easily a top contender for the coolest items we’ve designed so far. (The “Girl in the Moon” denim Long Haul jacket and the “Lumpia Legends” bowling shirt are up there as well.)

4. The Madeline - A Ranch Tan Chore Coat

From stockmfgco.com

The Madeline Hotel in Telluride is a boutique Auberge Collection hotel ideal for adventurers. Design-wise, the hotel itself strikes a perfect balance between upscale and laid-back.

When we were asked to design a new uniform program for the folks working in the hotel, we wanted to mirror this aesthetic. We also realized that using organic materials would help the staff stand out from the guests (who typically wear synthetic tech fibers made for winter sports).

From here, we settled on a subtle western motif that plays with corduroy, herringbone, waxed cotton chambray, wool, and leather.

For the adventure hosts, in particular, we took the classic corduroy-collared ranch tan chore coat and tweaked its fit to make it more tailored-looking. The result was a piece with a dressier piece fit for a hotel of The Madeline’s caliber.

And to complete the look, we opted for a crisp white dress shirt and some contrasting indigo jeans. The finishing touches were a bandana and a stylish wool cap.

The adventure hosts’ chore coats don’t stand out like a sore thumb, though. We had to make sure that the workwear inspirations and Western hints carried from one role to the next. 

For instance, other staff members get to wear neckerchiefs and classic corduroy Western shirts. The Madeline Hotel collection includes some ranch tan aprons (bib and waist) as well to keep the color scheme going.

This is actually another reason the chore coat is such a great pick for the hospitality industry — it’s easy to make it work with other uniform designs!

5. Lyric - Cream Chore Coat

From Instagram, @stockmfgco

Lyric is a tech-enabled real estate and hospitality venture offering flexible accommodations. As you walk into the building, you start noticing Art Deco inspirations.

We worked on a uniform project for their line of Creative Suits in New Orleans, New York City, and San Francisco. So, we created something that fits right in with the company’s aesthetics.

The result was a no-frills chore coat in natural twill that’s elegant but doesn’t steal the spotlight.

6. Poppy’s - A Contrasting Color Scheme

From meetatpoppys.com

Poppy’s is a California-Centric restaurant within walking distance from the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. 

Aesthetically, the venue blends the classic with the contemporary. The space is bright and lively without being overwhelming. So are the staff uniforms.

From stockmfgco.com

Included in Poppy’s x Stock MFG collection are a number of basics to mix and match.

You’ll find short-sleeved Henleys, long-sleeved dress shirts, chambray camp shirts, bib aprons (denim or canvas), and washed twill khaki chinos.

Layering with a washed twill chore coat should be fairly easy, no matter which way you go. As an example, you could wear the black women’s chore coat over a white Henley.

The collection also includes white dress sneakers and genuine leather black belts to complement the look and overall color scheme.

7. Rosy - A Retro Chore Coat

From Instagram, @rosy.restaurant

The vibe at the newly opened Rosy in Ohio City is laid-back with a retro theme. Think earthy rust tones, warm lighting, and open-fire cooking.

So, it’s quite fitting that the fine folks there are outfitted in organic-feeling pieces. The BOH get protective olive bib aprons, while the servers don practical olive chore coats. 

From Instagram, @skrticx and @rosy.restaurant

8. The Bear - A Blue Chore Coat

From Instagram, @stockmfgco

We also had a wardrobe and merch collab with the FX show The Bear.

We gave it the Chicago-restaurant treatment, with sturdy Stock aprons and crew-neck shirts for the show wardrobe.

For the merch and show swag, we designed a “Let it rip” wide-wale corduroy hat, a woven blanket, and a canvas duffle bag (in two color variations).

Then, there was the blue French chore coat with the show’s logo and “EST. 2023” embroidered on the chest.

From Instagram, @stockmfgco

Chore Coat FAQs

How should a chore coat fit?

Chore coats should allow for movement without being baggy.

To make sure you’re not going too small, test the range of movement. Simply put on the piece and move your arms around. There should be enough room for your shoulders to move without major restriction, even if you button up the chore coat.

You also need to check how the fit will be if you ever need to layer underneath with something heavy.

And to make sure you’re not going too large, look at the way the material drapes.

While the typical chore coat has a boxy cut (no tapering), it shouldn’t be bulky or sloppy. You want one that hangs nicely from your shoulders and maintains a more-or-less straight line down your torso.

For the most part, chore coats aren’t tailored. So, you want to pick one that’s your size from the get-go.

Note that our stretch and washed twill chore coats have a true-to-size fit. Pick your normal size, and it’ll allow for layering.

How can chore coats be styled?

The beauty of the chore coat in hospitality uniform programs is its versatility.

Pair a black chore coat with a crisp white button-down and chinos, and you’ve got comfy and polished restaurant server clothing. Or, you could take that same black coat and wear it over a Henley, jeans, and minimalist sneakers for a casual feel.

Restaurants looking for a fun look might want to pair the jacket with a printed shirt. Here’s how our oxblood polka dot chambray paired with a heavy Apolis chore coat:

From Instagram, @stockmfgco

Looking for more styling inspirations? Here are a few ways to outfit your hospitality staff under a chore coat:

  • A flannel shirt, canvas pants, and boots for a timeless uniform that takes wear like a champ.

  • A plain t-shirt, denim pants, and sneakers for a casual, relaxed look to be worn all day.

  • A chunky knitwear top, corduroy pants, and leather boots for a cozy outfit with texture-driven visual interest.

  • An Oxford shirt, jeans, and loafers. Here, the chore coat will bridge between the sophisticated and relaxed vibes.

What materials are chore coats made from?

Because they’re a workwear item, chore coats are typically made from durable fabrics that can withstand everyday wear and frequent washing. Think heavy cotton, twill, duck canvas, moleskin, and denim.

Our classic stretch chore coat, for instance, is 98% cotton twill and 2% elastane. The StockTech variation, however, is moisture-wicking, thanks to the Sorbtek fabric.

That being said, we, at Stock, can also customize chore coats to suit your establishment’s aesthetics, staff’s logistical needs, and local temperature fluctuations. For example, we created rugged waxed cotton chore coats lined with chambray for one of our clients.

From Instagram, @stockmfgco

What is the difference between a chore coat and a work jacket?

For the most part, chore coats and work jackets are interchangeable terms.

They refer to a type of multi-pocketed workwear jacket that’s durable and cut straight to allow for a range of movement and layering underneath.

 

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