The heavyweight of workwear fabrics ‘Cotton Duck’ has been used for centuries in some of the toughest environments on the planet. The heavy, plain woven cotton fabric also simply referred to as Duck, or sometimes Duck Cloth sadly has nothing to do with waterfowl or their feathers and instead takes its name from the Dutch word doek for ‘cloth’. The popular fabric was more tightly woven than traditional canvas making it tougher and more waterproof, ideal for ships sails as well as sailors’ white trousers and outerwear in the 18th Century. Its water-resistant properties even saw duck used for tents and boat covers.
It was not until the mid-19th Century though, that textile mills on the US East Coast upped their cotton duck production and people began utilizing the fabric for other goods like bags and clothing. The ‘cotton’ was added to the name to distinguish items from more traditional linen duck. Duck became especially popular amongst miners and other manual laborers who needed their work clothes to be comfortable whilst also durable enough to withstand heavy wear and tear. More recently the fabric has also lent its name to another tough work-ready duck. Duct Tape, also known as Duck Tape was originally manufactured by adding an adhesive backing to regular cotton duck.
Such was the popularity of cotton duck in the US that the National Bureau of Standards felt compelled to introduce a numbered classification system in the 1920s. It was intended to manage discrepancies in the specifications and quality of the materials that were being produced. The ‘numbered duck’ system graded fabric according to weight, with values between one and 12. The heavier the fabric, the lower the number. You could expect hammocks and various heavy-duty bags to be made from cotton duck between one and four, while items of clothing would be made from fabrics higher up the scale.
Cotton Duck – A Workwear Staple
But how did cotton duck become such a popular workwear fabric you might ask. Well, the relative advantages of duck over other materials have made it uniquely valuable. This weighty fabric benefits from a smooth surface—the result of being tightly woven with two yarns together in the warp and a single yarn in the weft, if we’re getting technical—making it less prone to snagging and tearing. The famous Levi Strauss made their first pair of riveted jeans from duck before switching over to denim some years later. Today, Carhartt produce excellent pieces of workwear in cotton duck and at All Seasons Uniforms we stock a wide variety, including some very tough but stylish Carpenters Pants.
Perhaps surprisingly for a cotton-based fabric, duck is second only to leather in the class of true workwear materials that are able to block the wind and rain, meaning on a blustery winter job site a cotton duck jacket or vest can come in real handy. And they don’t always have to be in plain khaki—although this does mean cotton duck work clothes generally don’t look very dirty even when they are. Even so, if khaki isn’t for you the American made Snap ‘n’ Wear Vest is available in stylish navy with a padded liner and tough cotton duck shell to protect you from the elements. It was this weather resistance that made duck such a popular fabric among sailors, and still benefits wearers today.
Another of cotton ducks many advantages, especially over synthetic fabrics, is that its relatively burn-resistant – albeit certainly still flammable. This does however make duck much less likely to show up small burns from the sparks of an open fire or from welding. As a result it is an extremely popular fabric for work overalls and coveralls, with a number of our trusted brands including Walls Plano and Bulwark offering well-made durable options in this area.
Cotton Duck Workwear – Comfortable and Durable
One misconception that needs to be addressed is that cotton duck is uncomfortable to wear and better suited to bags and sails. Despite its stiff appearance at first, duck becomes more comfortable as you wear it and wash it, while importantly not losing its toughness. This durability has also made it extremely popular as an upholstery fabric and any parent with small kids will tell you a duck covered sofa lasts a lot longer than a velvet one! However, if you’re not covering a sofa a Key Insulated Chore Coat will make you a cotton duck convert as it keeps you warm, dry and comfy in harsh weather while also outlasting anything else in your wardrobe.
Cotton duck has been a
staple workwear fabric for
centuries, loved by sailors, miners and every manual laborer in between. And
even with the rise of synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester, duck has
retained its place at the top of the rankings for durability, toughness and
weather resistance. It is why All Seasons Uniforms stock a wide range of cotton
duck items, so that today’s American workers can continue to enjoy the benefits
of this hardy fabric.
About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.