Carpenter pants are work pants which are specifically designed to accommodate an assortment of tools. Painters and other manual laborers, as well as carpenters, wear the pants. Several companies are well known for manufacturing carpenter style pants which are rugged and well designed. Some of these companies also make a variation for women that has been tailored to fit the female body more comfortably. A pair of carpenter pants can be rather expensive, but since they are designed for hard labor and extended wear, most workers feel that the price is worth it.
The design of carpenter pants incorporates two primary features which distinguish a pair of the pants from normal pants. The first is a loose, flexible fit which allows the wearer to squat with ease. The loose cut of carpenter pants also promotes freedom of movement. The second feature is a plethora of pockets, tabs, and loops designed to hold tools of the trade. Many pairs of carpenter pants also have a wide waist to accommodate a tool belt.
The loop for a hammer along the side of a pair of carpenter pants is a familiar design feature. However, the pants also have wide, deep pockets which can hold tools like measuring tapes, along with smaller tool pockets to hold screwdrivers and similar items. The waistline is usually nipped in to ensure that the carpenter pants fit snugly on the body, even when heavily weighed down with tools and equipment. Carpenter pants are also generally boot cut, so that they can be worn over heavy construction boots.
Typically, heavy materials such as cotton duck and canvas are used to make carpenter pants. The pants are usually also reinforced with rivets and double stitching. Some companies pad the knees for extra comfort and reinforcement, since the knees of work pants tend to see a lot of wear. Colors such as taupe are common, and the pants are usually safe to wash and dry at high heat.
The fashion industry has also adopted carpenter pants, along with many other aspects of working class apparel. Fashion carpenter pants tend to be made out of more lightweight material, making them unsuitable for serious work. The lines of the pants may also be smoothed with a reduction in loops and pockets. Carpenter pants designed for work can usually be found at specific supply stores or through online retailers, while fashion carpenter pants are stocked in department stores and boutiques.