The history of the chef’s jacket

The history of the chef’s jacket goes back more than two hundred years. If you dine at a formal restaurant, you’ll immediately recognize the chef by this iconic white jacket. But where did it come from, and why is it designed this way? In this article, I’ll explain its history, evolution and interesting traditions.

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What is a chef’s jacket called?

A chef’s jacket is also known as a chef’s coat or chef’s whites. The traditional double breasted white jacket is designed to protect chefs from heat and spills while maintaining a professional appearance.

The history of the chef’s jacket begins with Carême

Antoine-Marie Carême (1784–1833) laid the foundation for the modern chef’s jacket. This French chef and pâtissier also became the first in the profession to build an international career. Among his admirers were Tsar Alexander I, King George IV of England and Emperor Franz I of Austria. He gained fame for his impressive cakes, many of which resembled ancient temples.

In his book Le Maître d’hôtel français (1822), Carême explained how a professional chef should dress. As a result, he became the first person in history to establish a dress code for the profession. The sketches in his book laid the foundation for both the chef’s jacket and the chef’s hat as we know them today. In particular, the double row of buttons became one of the garment’s most distinctive features.

Unfortunately, Carême, who died in 1833 at the age of 48, never knew how much impact his ideas on chef’s clothing would have. Due to technological developments, the mass production of textiles only began around 1870. From that moment on, the chef’s jacket became a great success.

Modern chef’s jackets

To protect chefs from the heat, manufacturers originally made the chef’s jacket from a double layer of cotton. People referred to this construction as a “double jacket,” which eventually gave the garment its name.

Although modern chef’s jackets still closely resemble Carême’s original sketches, designers have introduced several changes over time. For example, they originally secured the front of the jacket with a double row of buttons. When the fabric became dirty, chefs could simply reverse the front, instantly giving the jacket a cleaner appearance. Besides serving a practical purpose, the buttons also reflected a chef’s status. The more buttons a chef wore, the higher the rank.

The history of the chef’s jacket: buttons

The washing machine made it much easier to clean workwear, so chefs no longer needed to reverse the fabric on their jackets. Although awards and social media followers now often reflect a chef’s status, buttons still carry symbolic meaning in some places. In traditional restaurants, trainee chefs usually wear white buttons. After completing their training, they can switch to black buttons. Chefs who specialize in cold dishes wear blue buttons, those preparing side dishes and soups wear green ones, while sauce chefs wear red buttons.

Today, however, these traditions are not always followed. Many chefs choose a particular button colour simply because they like it, turning the button into a way to personalize their workwear. The same trend can be seen in the design of the jacket itself. Modern chef’s jackets are available with snap buttons or even a zipper instead of the traditional double row of buttons. Manufacturers also increasingly use ventilating fabrics and add practical features such as pockets and loops to keep sleeves in place.

As a result, the chef’s jacket remains as popular as ever, while offering plenty of opportunities to add a personal touch.

Want to read more about chef clothing and hospitality workwear?

Also check:

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• These are the trends for aprons in the hospitality industry
  
  

Best regards,
Aileen

Last update: 20-06-2026