Monty Don's blue gardening jacket © Getty Images

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Monty Don's blue workwear jacket is a classic. Here are the best look-alikes we've found.

Everyone's going mad for Monty Don's stylish navy chore jacket. Get his look with these timeless alternatives, available across a range of price points.

Alice Tuffery

Published: April 4, 2024 at 11:04 am

Monty Don is back on our screens in a new series of Gardeners' World and with him his garden fashion sense, including that classic: the blue chore jacket.

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It's not just Monty (and a host of other gardeners, including Great Dixter's Fergus Garrett, Millie Souter head gardener at Tom Stuart-Smith's Plant Library, and Sissinghurst's Troy Scott Smith) who is wearing this originally French working jacket, which has been worn in various incarnations for a very long time. According to The Times, the bleu du travail is increasingly favoured among film stars and fashionistas.

Fergus Garrett, head gardener at Great Dixter — Fergus Garrett, head gardener at Great Dixter, wearing his blue working jacket © Richard Bloom

But for gardeners, while these lovely blue jackets look good, they are also brilliantly practical too - big pockets, heavy-duty material that is durable and comfortable, dark colours so all those mud stains don't show.

Sissinghurst head gardener Troy Scott Smith — Sissinghurst head gardener Troy Scott Smith sporting his blue gardening jacket. © Andrew Montgomery

Monty has mentioned he often gets clothes from a small independent company, Old Town, based in Norfolk, which is currently taking orders over the phone and by email. In the meantime, we've scoured the internet to find the most convincing lookalikes of the famous jacket across a range of price points.

Millie Souter head gardener at the Plant Library — Millie Souter head gardener at the Plant Library. © Andrew Montgomery

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Best Monty Don jacket alternatives for men
Best Monty Don jacket alternatives for women

Best Monty Don jacket alternatives for men

Monty Japanese Denim Jacket

Buy from Toast (£265.00)

Monty Japanese Denim Jacket on a white background

Men's Canvas Chore Jacket

Also comes in: Khaki

Men's Canvas Chore Jacket on a white background

Seasalt jackets

Buy Foundry Overshirt Jacket from Seasalt (£89.95)

Buy Tollgate Jacket from Seasalt (£99.95)

Seasalt men's jackets on a white background

Heavyweight Cotton Overshirt

Buy from Rise & Fall (£120.00)

Also comes in: Stone, Forest Green

Heavyweight Cotton Overshirt on a white background

Linen Chore Jacket

Buy from White Stuff (£75.00)

White Stuff Linen Chore Jacket on a white background

Niwaki Kojima Work Jacket

Niwaki Kojima Work Jacket on a white background

Carrier Company Norfolk Work Jacket

Buy from Carrier Company (£115.00)

Also comes in: range of classic colours

Carrier Company Norfolk Work Jacket on a white background

Crew Worthley Jacket

Buy from Crew (£74.25), Very (£74.00) and John Lewis (£99.00)

Crew Worthley Jacket on a white background

Worker Jacket

Buy from Fat Face (£79.00)

If you're after a slightly darker navy version, check the limited stock on Fat Face's other Worker Jacket.

Fat Face Worker Jacket on a white background

Best Monty Don jacket alternatives for women

Toast jackets

Buy Boxy Hemp Cotton Canvas Jacket from Toast (£185.00)

Buy Wide Sleeve Organic Indigo Denim Jacket from Toast (£185.00)

Buy Japanese Denim Chore Jacket from Toast (£245.00)

Toast jackets on a white background

Seasalt jackets

Buy Arame Linen Jacket from Seasalt (£85.95)

Buy Nancothan Long Organic Cotton Jacket from Seasalt (£89.95)

Seasalt jackets on a white background

Arket Linen Blend Overshirt

Also comes in: off white

Arket Linen Blend Overshirt on a white background

Nudie Jeans Co Lovis Workwear Jacket

Nudie Jeans Co Lovis Workwear Jacket on a white background

Carrier Company Norfolk Work Jacket

Buy from Carrier Company (£115.00)

Also comes in: range of classic colours

Carrier Company Norfolk Work Jacket on a white background

Find the other workwear jackets we're loving at the moment in our guide to the best gardening jackets available this year.

Digital Writer

Alice is a writer for Gardens Illustrated magazine, finding and reviewing the best tools and lifestyle items to upgrade any outdoor space and keeping an eye out for the must-have products worthy of a spot in the shed. With a passion for gardening and exploring the countryside and estates across the Cotswolds, Alice is currently developing her own sustainable and pet-friendly garden. Across other Our Media brands, she’s covered everything from walking gear for BBC Countryfile to interior décor at YourHomeStyle.