The only constant in life is change – and that includes chef coats. Recently, I came across photos of kitchens from the 1960s and 70s, and to my surprise, the basic men’s chef coats from back then looked remarkably similar to our own Chef Duds item #810 of today. Those older jackets featured the same timeless pearl buttons and distinct collar styles modern chefs choose today. At first glance, the coats and chef hats look almost identical — except for one nostalgic detail: the fashion scarves popular among culinary professionals and executive chefs of that era. 

But on closer inspection, key differences began to stand out. Those older chef coats lacked the arm pockets and side panels that are now considered essential. Over the past 15 years, modern chef coats have evolved significantly in both design and fabric composition. While the jackets of the past were made from 100% cotton, today's coats are crafted from advanced fabric blends designed for durability and comfort. 

Modern fabrics bring numerous advantages, offering features like soil release, stain resistance, color retention, and added stiffness. These innovations make today’s chef jackets not only easier to clean but also longer-lasting. In the past, professional kitchens depended heavily on bleach to remove stains. Unfortunately, repeated bleaching often discolored and weakened the cotton fabric. Contemporary fabric blends eliminate this issue with built-in soil resistance, drastically reducing the need for bleach and prolonging the garment's lifespan. 
 
Chef Duds is dedicated to selecting the right fabric blends to meet our customers' diverse requirements and budgets. A unique challenge we face is that the performance of these innovative fabrics isn’t always visible at first glance—it’s often all in the label. That’s why we’ve developed a thorough evaluation process to ensure every item in our collection meets the needs of professional chefs. We also stay on the cutting edge of market trends and, most importantly, listen to feedback from our customers. 

Take, for example, a conversation we had last year with a customer seeking a long-sleeve cook shirt—a seemingly unusual choice given the variety of long-sleeve chef coats in our lineup. He explained that his kitchen was exceptionally hot, and while long sleeves were mandatory, he needed something lighter than a traditional coat for comfort. 

That brief exchange led to the development of our lightweight poplin chef coat line, and eventually, the introduction of our mesh-back coat for even greater breathability and ease of movement. In just a few minutes, a customer’s request inspired an entirely new product line using this new fabric. 

High-quality fabric is just one of many features to consider when choosing your chef coat. In upcoming articles, we’ll talk about other features and elements to help make a chef coat stand out – like button style, short sleeves, double-breasted coats, collar type, color, and piping. Until then, stay safe in the kitchen!