Monty Don is back on our screens in a new series of Gardeners' World for 2026 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.
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.
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.
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Best Monty Don jacket alternatives for men
Monty Japanese Denim Jacket
Buy from Toast (£285.00)
Seasalt jackets
Buy Foundry Overshirt Jacket from Seasalt (£89.95)
Buy Tollgate Jacket from Seasalt (£110)
Heavyweight Cotton Overshirt
Buy from Rise & Fall (£120.00)
Also comes in: Stone, Forest Green
Linen Chore Jacket
Buy from White Stuff (£75.00)
Niwaki Kojima Work Jacket
Buy from Niwaki (£299).
Carrier Company Norfolk Work Jacket
Buy from Carrier Company (£130.00)
Also comes in: range of classic colours
Worker Jacket
Buy from Fat Face (£75.00)
If you're after a slightly darker navy version, check the limited stock on Fat Face's other Worker Jackets.
Best Monty Don jacket alternatives for women
Toast jackets
Buy Wide Sleeve Organic Indigo Denim Jacket from Toast (£185.00)
Check out the full range of Toast jackets.
Seasalt jackets
Buy Arame Linen Jacket from Seasalt (£85.95)
Buy Nancothan Long Organic Cotton Jacket from Seasalt (£89.95) Currently sold out - take a look on Vinted or eBay.
Arket Linen Blend Overshirt
Buy in green on Arket (£87).
Also comes in: off white
Nudie Jeans Co Lovis Workwear Jacket
Buy from Nudie Jeans Co (£165).
Carrier Company Norfolk Work Jacket
Buy from Carrier Company (£130.00)
Also comes in: range of classic colours
Editors note: updated on 24 March 2026 to reflect price changes and remove items no longer available.
