Dickies is a clothing brand that focuses on Workwear, streetwear and skate clothing. Dickies first launched in 1922 crafting workwear for farms and ranches in the southwest of America, and it all began with their iconic Bib Overalls. Today, Dickies is a worldwide brand found in more than 100 countries manufacturing and selling workwear to the automotive, hospitality, construction and medical industries.

Who are the founders of dickies?

The brand was founded by cousins Charles Nathan Williamson and Emmet Eugene Dickie who were already successful salesmen by selling hats for 25 years in Texas. In 1918, the cousins and a few friends established the U.S. Overall Company in Texas and then purchased the Overall Company in 1922 and renamed it the Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company.

Where did Dickies start?

Dickies is a Texas born brand and now the number one work apparel manufacturer worldwide.

During World War II, Dickies produced millions of military uniforms; these efforts did not go unnoticed after the war when many veterans applauded Williamson-Dickie for the quality and durability of their uniforms. By aiding the war, Williamson-Dickie turned into the world's leading workwear brand. After the war, two of the Williamson-Dickie factories that produced military wear turned their attention to crafting civilian clothing such as overalls, work trousers and general work clothing.

Towards the end of the 1950s, Williamson-Dickie became an international company expanding to Europe and the Middle-East. Texan oil workers that were contracted to work in the Middle-East brought along their Dickies workwear; soon Dickies reputation skyrocketed around the globe. 

In the late 1970s Dickies began to open shops around the south of the U.S., these stores were aimed at corporate businesses and government departments such as the post office and police. These stores provided these workers with uniforms, footwear and matching accessories. During this time, the co-founders had retired and family members had left the business and so the next generation of leaders took charge of Williamson-Dickie. One branch of Dickies was now spread all across the south, southwest and west coast and soon became the leader of hiring and laundering uniforms. Dickies was able to cater for all industries from fast food, policing, fire services, lab workers and more.

Throughout the 1980s, Dickies' Industrial Laundry business was thriving, reporting an amazing 15% annual growth rate every year. The company’s manufacturing facilities were starting to grow in New Jersey, California and in the Caribbean.

At the beginning of the 1990s, culture, music and fashion became more and more popular than ever. Dickies workwear was turning into hip-hop fashion and cultural gang dress; people soon developed a love for hip-hop fashion and music, which soon gave Dickies a much needed boost. Dickies saw this as an opportunity to introduce streetwear to maintain their top spot in the workwear clothing industry and were set on opening their first factory store in Orlando, Florida, in the mid 90s. This first store featured their famous workwear as well as their new line of urban streetwear and sports wear.

Dickies popularity by the late 90s was colossal as the brand was now not just about workwear. Many of Dickies products were featured in glossy magazines and were also sold in expensive fashion shops alongside Armani and Levi’s. Eventually, Dickies was seen being worn by many hip-hop and rap artists, movie stars and fashion models. As the years went by, the brand’s popularity and sales increased by 10% per annum.

Today, the brand is now celebrating their 100th anniversary, by honouring the work of quiet heroes and the makers of the future.

Dickies History

1922 - Dickies is launched.

1950s - Dickies becomes an international company.

1970s - Dickies began to open shops around South of the U.S.

1980s - Dickies reported an annual growth of 15% every year and manufacturing facilities started to grow in New Jersey, California and in the Caribbean.

1990s - Dickies workwear turned into hip-hop fashion and cultural gang dress.

Late 1990s - Dickies products are featured in glossy magazines and were sold in expensive fashion shops alongside Armani and Levi’s. Dickies was being worn by hip-hop and rap artists, movie stars and fashion models.

Today - Dickies celebrates their 100th anniversary, by honouring the work of quiet heroes and the makers of the future.