Founded in 2016 by co-founders Ted De Innocentis and Josh Walker, 1620 Workwear – which serves working men – is a relative newcomer to a market including workwear apparel companies as Truewerk, Dickies, and Blaklader, among others.
“For years, we saw our friends and family working in outdated work clothes that caused fatigue instead of helping them, leading us to creating 1620 Workwear with a different approach to give skilled tradesmen the gear they need and deserve,” says Walker.
Both men have worked jobs where everything was made overseas.
“We were tired of the unsustainable practices in place,” says Walker. “We brought the manufacturing for 1620 to the U.S. to ensure sustainability while also supporting our neighbors and communities.” That enabled the brand to “ensure every stitch is made under the best conditions, with precision and compassion,” Walker adds.
Launching 1620 Workwear
The two started the company in a Newbury, Massachusetts barn with no heat or running water with the goal of making premium workwear in the U.S. It has grown to 10 full-time employees in its Amesbury, Massachusetts headquarters, housing its office, warehouse and showroom and where work pants are hemmed to order and used pants are repaired.
1620 Workwear has long-term contracts with multiple manufacturers nationwide.
The brand’s exponential growth is the result of constantly pushing the workwear category boundaries, starting by working with U.S.-based fabric companies to develop new blends for use in all of its products that would outlast and outperform traditional workwear, says Walker.
1620 Work Pants for Construction
Some products last well more than a year after being worn consistently in the harshest environments, Walker says, adding the high-performing fabrics “reduces fatigue and works with you” and last five times longer than traditional workwear, are 10 times more abrasion-resistant than traditional workwear, and feature a DWR water repellent finish.
Some notable 1620 Workwear options include the Double Knee Utility Pant 2.0, one of the brand’s best-selling pants. “The pant features our NYCO fabric,” says Walker. “For the perfect blend of durability, performance, and safety, this fabric also meets NFPA 1975 no melt, no drip standards, making this pant ideal for uses where durability and toughness are crucial.”
The pant also includes 10 storage pockets, two hammer loops, two EDC clip areas, a gusseted crotch, a DWR water repellent finish, articulated knees, double knee reinforcements, and stealth knee pad openings, he adds.
The Foundation Pant features 1620 Workwear’s NYCO fabric in a classic five-pocket design and is built for the ultimate versatility and durability with a gusseted crotch, articulated knees, two EDC clip areas, and a DWR water repellent finish, says Walker, adding it is designed to be understated and durable enough to be worn daily on or off the jobsite. The Shop Pant features the brand’s stretch fabric in a simple and clean design and is built to provide optimal comfort and performance. “Our stretch fabric is a lightweight and breathable synthetic blend providing full four-way stretch, allowing the pant to move with you in any way,” says Walker.
“While being lightweight, breathable, and flexible, this fabric is still extremely durable and is currently used by a contact professional sports league in on-field jerseys. This pant features a gusseted crotch, articulated knees, a DWR water repellent finish, right leg mobile pocket, and a left-hand watch pocket.”
1620 Work Hoodie for Outdoor Jobsites
The Full Tech Work Hoodie is designed to keep those wearing it warm and dry with a heavyweight 14-ounce blend and DWR water repellent finish. The hoodie also features Cordura reinforcements on the elbows, cuffs, and front pocket to increase durability in heavy use areas. The front pocket is designed with a stealth inside pocket and catch-all corners to keep small items from falling out. The hood is oversized to fit over a hard hat/helmet, and features snaps for closure to increase jobsite safety. The work hoodie also features gusseted arms as well as the 1620 Workwear signature long fit to keep those wearing it warm while working overhead.
Looking ahead, Walker notes “we are constantly developing and working on new products to push us forward. As we grow, we want to continue investing in American manufacturing and building the American supply chain. We have big goals here at 1620. We look forward to pushing towards them every day.”
Check out IRONPROS Workwear to see a complete selection of construction boots for rugged jobsites!