Walk around any building site in Dublin or hop on a DART train with students from UCD and you’ll spot the Carhartt logo everywhere. Irish folks love a good jacket that can handle soggy Galway mornings or Limerick’s wind. Lately, though, I keep hearing people ask: does China own Carhartt? Or is it still the real-deal American brand?
Let’s clear this up straight away. Carhartt is not owned by China. It’s a family-run business out of Michigan, USA, and has been for over a hundred years. So, if you’re hoping for that classic workwear quality, you’re still getting it—at least brand-wise. That said, some Carhartt products are made outside the US, and yes, China is on that list, along with Vietnam and even some European countries.
This matters if you’re fussy about where things are made, or if you’ve spotted a suspiciously cheap Carhartt jacket at a market stall in Cork. Not every ‘Carhartt’ you see floating around in Ireland is legit. Brands like Carhartt WIP (Work in Progress) have their own story and are more common in Irish streetwear shops in places like Temple Bar.
If you’re shopping for a Carhartt jacket in the Irish market, keep an eye on the labelling and don’t get caught by fakes. More on that below, plus a few tips on getting proper value for your euro.
- Is Carhartt Owned by China?
- Where Carhartt Jackets Are Made
- Carhartt in Irish Shops and Online
- Tips for Irish Shoppers
Is Carhartt Owned by China?
This is probably the biggest rumour floating around Irish pubs and job sites: is Carhartt even owned by Americans anymore, or did China take it over? The answer’s straightforward—Carhartt is still a classic American company, run by the descendants of Hamilton Carhartt, the man who started it all in Detroit back in 1889.
The brand is still privately held in the US, with no big Chinese stake or shadowy overseas company calling the shots. The main jobs and decisions all come from head offices in Michigan. If you care about where your money ends up, it’s not lining the pockets of some mystery corporation abroad.
Here’s a handy breakdown for those who like cold, hard facts:
| Ownership | Country |
|---|---|
| Private Family-Owned | United States |
| Main Headquarters | Dearborn, Michigan, USA |
| Manufacturing Locations | USA, Mexico, China, Vietnam, EU |
The confusion usually crops up because some Carhartt jackets and gear are made in China. That’s about production—not actual ownership.
It’s also worth mentioning the ‘WIP’ or Work In Progress side of Carhartt. That’s a separate European spin-off, owning the streetwear vibe you’ll see in skate shops around Dublin, but even WIP isn’t Chinese owned—it started in Germany and is still mostly European-run.
If you want to make sure you’re supporting North American businesses, check the tag for the production country. But rest easy, the Carhartt name hasn’t switched hands to China. Not even close.
Where Carhartt Jackets Are Made
If you’re buying a jacket hoping for that proper Carhartt sturdiness, it actually matters where your gear comes from. Back in the day, all Carhartt stuff was made in the USA, but times have changed. You’ll find Carhartt jackets stitched up in a whole mix of countries.
Here’s how it works now. The Carhartt workwear line—the classic jackets you see on farmers, carpenters, and delivery drivers—still gets made in America for a lot of styles. These are the ones you find in heavy fabric, duck canvas or those quilted linings that are nearly bulletproof. But not every Carhartt jacket comes out of the States anymore. Plenty are manufactured abroad, including in:
- Mexico
- Vietnam
- Bangladesh
- China
- Various European countries (for Carhartt WIP)
So when you find Carhartt on a rail in Arnotts or order from a big online retailer serving Ireland, don’t be shocked if the label reads "Made in Vietnam" or "Bangladesh". The quality control is strict, but the country of origin still changes.
Here’s a quick look at where the main Carhartt products are made by percentage, based on the latest available info:
| Country | Estimated % of Total Production |
|---|---|
| USA | 25% |
| Mexico | 20% |
| Vietnam | 18% |
| Bangladesh | 15% |
| China | 12% |
| Europe (mainly for WIP) | 10% |
Keep in mind, Carhartt WIP (Work in Progress)—that’s the trendier line you spot in Dublin street shops—mostly runs from Europe, with a style focus for urban wear instead of hard graft. They use different suppliers entirely, so don’t expect the same build as the work jackets that Irish tradies swear by.
If you want something sewn on American soil, look for “Made in the USA” on the care tag. Some Irish retailers like Great Outdoors on Chatham Street do carry these, but you’ll pay a bit more for them. Still, the reassurance can be worth it, especially with how unpredictable Irish weather can be.
Bottom line—whether you’re in Galway, Cork or Kildare, just check the label. If the place of manufacture matters to you, don’t take a chance. Some people say they notice a difference in fit or toughness, especially in older American-made models, but for most Irish folks trudging to GAA matches or hitting a wet festival, modern Carhartt still does the job.
Carhartt in Irish Shops and Online
Finding a legit Carhartt jacket in Ireland isn’t hard if you know where to look, but you need to watch out for fakes and copycats. Shops like Brown Thomas in Dublin, Born Clothing in Galway, and some of the bigger Elverys stores have stocked Carhartt gear in the past. For Dubliners into street style, you’ll notice Carhartt WIP popping up at stores like Fresh Cuts or even at Tower Records’ clothing sections. Just know that Carhartt WIP is the European version, which looks different and isn’t always made to the same workwear standards as the original US stuff.
Online shopping is massive here too. Irish buyers often go to Carhartt’s official website or use trusted retailers like ASOS, Zalando, or Amazon.ie. Some shops—like Outdoor Adventure Store—specialise in practical outdoor gear and will sell the US version if that's what you want. But mind yourself buying from marketplace sites like eBay or adverts.ie, where fakes are sometimes hawked for less than half the usual price. If a "Carhartt" jacket is under €70 brand new, it’s probably a knockoff.
| Where to Buy | Expected Price Range (€) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brown Thomas (Dublin) | 90-200 | Genuine, often WIP line |
| Fresh Cuts (online & in-store) | 80-170 | WIP, urban styles |
| Outdoor Adventure Store | 100-240 | Outdoor and heritage styles |
| ASOS/Zalando/Amazon.ie | 70-210 | Mixed lines, check seller ratings |
| eBay/adverts.ie (resale) | 30-120 | High risk of fakes |
Watch for “Carhartt-style” branding in smaller shops or markets in places like Cork, Sligo, or Limerick. These are not the real thing, and won’t have the same build or backing. Real Carhartt jackets come with tough zippers, triple stitching, heavy-duty canvas, and proper branding on tags. If it feels flimsy or the logo stitching is wonky, skip it.
One handy trick: check if the product code matches listings on Carhartt’s main website. If you’re looking online, go for official Irish stockists and don’t get lured by dodgy discounts. Carhartt jackets aren’t cheap, but you get the ruggedness to handle a week at Electric Picnic or a hike in Connemara.
Tips for Irish Shoppers
Before you splash out on a Carhartt jacket, here’s what you need to know so you don’t get caught out. There are a few simple steps that can help you avoid dodgy fakes and make sure you’re actually getting quality gear—the stuff you can trust for a walk along the Cliffs of Moher or a winter in Donegal.
- Carhartt isn’t sold in every Irish shop, so buy from known spots. Shops like Brown Thomas and select JD Sports locations in Dublin usually sell the real deal. If you’re shopping online, stick to places you trust, like the official Carhartt UK site, or Irish retailers like 53 Degrees North.
- Check the stitching and tags. Genuine Carhartt jackets will have neat, even stitching, and labels sewn on straight. Anything loose or flaky-looking? Big red flag. The main tag should say "Carhartt" clearly and not have weird spelling or colours.
- Look out for Carhartt WIP (Work in Progress). This line is for the European market, a bit more "street" and fashion forward, but still official. If you want that classic, American workwear, you want the original Carhartt line, which is a little harder to find in Ireland.
- Don’t fall for Facebook marketplace or a random ad on DoneDeal.ie if you don’t know the seller. Loads of knock-offs show up there, and you’ll end up paying for something that won’t last through an Irish winter, never mind a construction job in Blanchardstown.
Here’s a quick comparison that can help you spot what’s what:
| Feature | Official Carhartt | Fakes/Knock-Offs |
|---|---|---|
| Stitching | Even, flat, and clean | Messy or uneven |
| Tags | Straight, clear logo, no spelling mistakes | Misspelled or wonky logo, weird colours |
| Material Feel | Heavy, tough fabric | Thin or plasticky |
| Price | €100–€200+ in Ireland | Too cheap to be real |
Bonus tip: Watch the sizing. US Carhartt runs big—grand for layering if you’re braving a January morning in Galway. Carhartt WIP fits more "true to size." Always check the size chart before you buy, especially if you’re ordering online.
Finally, ask around. Irish work crews and folks who buy outdoor gear love to chat about brands, so you’ll get the best scoop in a minute by talking to someone who actually uses a Carhartt jacket day-to-day. I always say, if you wouldn’t wear it up the Wicklow Mountains, probably not worth your cash.
