An Informal Guide to Workwear: Form, Function and Fashion -- A. W. Sylvester, Hardcover

An Informal Guide to Workwear offers a fascinating overview of some of the most important workwear pieces, discussing their history, function, construction, and materials.

Workwear has transcended its utilitarian roots to become a staple in modern wardrobes. Originally designed for labor-intensive jobs, today's workwear blends durable, well-made, and sustainable clothing with fashion. In a world of increasingly fast fashion, workwear provides a sustainable alternative as a statement of endurance and quality. An Informal Guide to Workwear explores the links to the past and the incredible history of how this style became a staple. Workwear pieces include:

• berets, popularized by Claude Monet and Che Guevara, among others
• blue jeans, America's sartorial gift to the world
• the siren suit, famously worn by Winston Churchill during the war
• the shop coat, donned by Christian Dior in a show of democratic solidarity with the workers in his atelier

Featuring vibrant illustrations by Michael Parkin, this book is perfect for anyone interested in discovering more about the history of fashion and style.

Author: A. W. Sylvester
Publisher: Batsford
Published: 11/18/2025
Pages: 144
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.25lbs
ISBN: 9781849949699

About the Author
A.W. Sylvester is a prominent fashion writer known for his insightful analysis and deep dives into fashion trends. Sylvester has written extensively in the fashion and cultural realm (Vice, GQ Style and Permanent Style), and for brands like Mr Porter, Drake's, Turnbull & Asser, and Globe-trotter. He has a fashion brand, AWMS, and is the frontman of Norwegian rock band Turbonegro. Featuring a Foreword by Derek Guy (AKA The Menswear Guy), who has almost half a million followers on Bluesky and 140k Instagram followers. Charmingly illustrated by Michael Parkin, who has over 10,000 followers on Instagram.