The Evolution of Carhartt’s Detroit Jacket

Carl Murawski takes us from the Motor City to deep space as he investigates the history of the iconic Carhartt Detroit Jacket.

First launched in the 1950s as the “Zipper Jacket,” the Detroit Jacket from America’s king of workwear, Carhartt, has maintained mainstream appeal for nearly 75 years. Our friend and fellow boot-and-workwear YouTuber Carl Murawski journeyed to Carhartt’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, to learn everything you don’t know about this iconic piece of work jacket history.

Check out this video below in which Carl chats with Carhartt’s archivist, Dave Moore, and investigates how this legendary piece evolved over the past seven decades.

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The Original: Carhartt’s The Zipper Jacket 1954 – 1998

Introduced in 1954, the Zipper Jacket was a waist-length garment designed for ease of movement and easy access to a tool belt. Initially available in blue denim, a red-tinged Brown Duck canvas version was introduced a year later, eventually leading to the distinctive Carhartt Brown.

The Detroit Jacket: 1998 – Present

Throughout the decades, the jacket saw modifications. The 1970s brought a change in the lining pattern from horizontal to vertical stripes, and in the late 1990s, Carhartt changed the name to the Detroit Jacket. Despite updates, the jacket’s silhouette and reputation for durability remained unchanged.

Carhartt’s Interstellar Jacket

Carhartt continued the trend of making minor changes to the Detroit jacket and updating the pockets, sleeves, and lining.

In 2014, Matthew McConaughey’s character sported The Detroit Jacket in Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece Interstellar, and there was a lot of speculation about which model he wore. According to Dave, the specific model used in the film, the RNJ001, was produced for only a very short period, making it sought-after by collectors.

Modern Variations of Carhartt’s Detroit Jacket

When a jacket’s this popular, you release multiple versions to appeal to as many folks as possible.

In the 2020s, Carhartt introduced several redesigns of the Detroit that have included a longer length, a drop tail version, and a new “Icons Re-Engineered” Detroit Jacket.

Part of the 2024 Icons Capsule Collection, this iteration sports a lighter, more flexible canvas with one percent spandex. Available in both men’s and a lighter women’s version, it’s reminiscent of the original piece, but the stretch in the fabric allows for more movement and comfort.

(Adding an element of stretch is pretty much guaranteed to reduce a fabric’s breathability, which might matter to folks actually working in this jacket — but it’s just 1 percent spandex, so it’s a good compromise.)

The Carhartt Detroit Jacket’s legacy is built on simplicity and functionality, making it a staple for working men and women as well as the more fashion-focused folks who just like clothes that’ll last.

For more details and classic jackets, check out Carl’s article and YouTube video.