How Carhartt got its start

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Hamilton Carhartt began his clothing business in 1889 after noticing the tattered clothing of rail yard workers. He created rugged bibs and overalls that fit their needs.
Hamilton Carhartt began his clothing business in 1889 after noticing the tattered clothing of rail yard workers. He created rugged bibs and overalls that fit their needs.
His bibs and overalls became a staple of rail workers, as did its logo of a railroad car inside a heart that adorned the clothing.
His bibs and overalls became a staple of rail workers, as did its logo of a railroad car inside a heart that adorned the clothing.
An early ad for Carhartt gave Hamilton’s personal guarantee. Trying to help American workers, his motto was “Honest value for an honest dollar.”
An early ad for Carhartt gave Hamilton’s personal guarantee. Trying to help American workers, his motto was “Honest value for an honest dollar.”
Carhartt’s clothes were being advertised at mercantiles in the horse and buggy days.
Carhartt’s clothes were being advertised at mercantiles in the horse and buggy days.
They had a word-of-mouth beginning at rail yards starting in Detroit, where Hamilton started and it’s headquartered today. Imagine the American Pickers would pay a pretty penny for this sign.
They had a word-of-mouth beginning at rail yards starting in Detroit, where Hamilton started and it’s headquartered today. Imagine the American Pickers would pay a pretty penny for this sign.
Carhartt fashioned his garments out of duck, a tightly woven cotton fabric used to make tents and ship sails.
Carhartt fashioned his garments out of duck, a tightly woven cotton fabric used to make tents and ship sails.
The durable, triple-stitched Carhartt clothing became standard wear in the hard work trades.
The durable, triple-stitched Carhartt clothing became standard wear in the hard work trades.
Advancements like the Super Dux fabric, which was waterproof, moved Carhartt into the hunting world. The easily recognizable Carhartt Chore Coat hasn’t changed much in 92 years.
Advancements like the Super Dux fabric, which was waterproof, moved Carhartt into the hunting world. The easily recognizable Carhartt Chore Coat hasn’t changed much in 92 years.
Carhartt moved to the farm and then went afield even before camo came into regular use. Today, Carhartt offers a line of camo hunting clothes.
Carhartt moved to the farm and then went afield even before camo came into regular use. Today, Carhartt offers a line of camo hunting clothes.
From duck hunting to deer, there are Carhartt items for cold weather.
From duck hunting to deer, there are Carhartt items for cold weather.
Seeing a need for the times, Carhartt came out with a line for women.
Seeing a need for the times, Carhartt came out with a line for women.
Thermal clothing from Carhartt keeps northerners out on the ice to fish.
Thermal clothing from Carhartt keeps northerners out on the ice to fish.
The Force line of technical material is widely popular with anglers in more temperate climates.
The Force line of technical material is widely popular with anglers in more temperate climates.
Force clothing wicks sweat and has fast-dry technology.
Force clothing wicks sweat and has fast-dry technology.
Carhartt teamed with B.A.S.S. and was there to witness brothers Jordan and Matt Lee face off in the College series with a berth to the Bassmaster Classic on the line.
Carhartt teamed with B.A.S.S. and was there to witness brothers Jordan and Matt Lee face off in the College series with a berth to the Bassmaster Classic on the line.
Matt Lee won that emotional meeting over his brother to become the second College angler to reach the Classic.
Matt Lee won that emotional meeting over his brother to become the second College angler to reach the Classic.
Matt Lee was decked out in Carhartt gear for the frigid Classic on Grand Lake in 2013.
Matt Lee was decked out in Carhartt gear for the frigid Classic on Grand Lake in 2013.
Jordan won the College berth to the Classic the following year. “How awesome is it to give college kids a chance to go to the Classic and learn what that’s like,” Carhartt’s Tim Humes said. “We’re a really proud supporter of that College series and we hope to help B.A.S.S. grow it.”
Jordan won the College berth to the Classic the following year. “How awesome is it to give college kids a chance to go to the Classic and learn what that’s like,” Carhartt’s Tim Humes said. “We’re a really proud supporter of that College series and we hope to help B.A.S.S. grow it.”
The Lee brothers made a great impression with Carhartt. “We were so fortunate to have these two young men be champions that led us out there on our launch with this program, we decided to keep them on board as Carhartt anglers,” Humes said.
The Lee brothers made a great impression with Carhartt. “We were so fortunate to have these two young men be champions that led us out there on our launch with this program, we decided to keep them on board as Carhartt anglers,” Humes said.
Both Lees qualified through the Opens to the Elite Series, showing Carhartt chose well. “They’re bright, intelligent, well-spoken and just hardcore fisherman,” Humes said. “They do a great job. To have some anglers on board really helps tell our story.”
Both Lees qualified through the Opens to the Elite Series, showing Carhartt chose well. “They’re bright, intelligent, well-spoken and just hardcore fisherman,” Humes said. “They do a great job. To have some anglers on board really helps tell our story.”
Matt Lee recently joined Bassmaster partnership with I Love NY to bring Casting Kids to Central Park.
Matt Lee recently joined Bassmaster partnership with I Love NY to bring Casting Kids to Central Park.
Matt Lee, along with fellow Elite Mike Iaconelli, helped teach kids how to cast with one of the 400 Zebco reels donated for the park’s lending program.
Matt Lee, along with fellow Elite Mike Iaconelli, helped teach kids how to cast with one of the 400 Zebco reels donated for the park’s lending program.
Fans of all ages enjoyed seeing Matt Lee’s Carhartt-wrapped rig and getting some tips from a pro.
Fans of all ages enjoyed seeing Matt Lee’s Carhartt-wrapped rig and getting some tips from a pro.