Now over 100 years old, Dickies today is one of the worlds leading workwear brands. Managing to navigate the great drepression, World War 2 and the progressive era’s of the ’70s, 80’s and 90’s, the brand could not be more relevant. Not only in the industrial industry but in the fashion realm too. The brand’s heavy-duty denim staples and workwear pieces have become essential everyday items in people’s wardrobes. We take a closer look at the popular brand, with a Dickies Buyer’s Guide covering sizing, fit guide and more…
Dickies Heritage
Launched in 2023 by C.N. Williamson and E.E. Dickie in Bryan it grew slowly but steadily despite the Great Depression. The brand’s target market was all-American families in the 1930s with affordable clothing made specifically for workwear.
During World War 2 Williamson-Dickies was recruited to produce uniforms for the US army. After World War 2 Dickies release a collection of ranch wear for the working cowboys of west texas. After the post-war years, the company grew significantly expanding across the states. Expanding across Europe and the Middle East continuing to focus on affordable workwear with much of their advertising focusing on the value for money.
It grew in popularity for casual wear, not just workwear. Through the 80s denim was becoming a staple for a casual wardrobe instead of solely being for hardwearing workwear predominantly worn in heavy labouring or manual jobs. The brand expanded into womenswear with their customers shifting to someone who not only worked hard but liked socialising and having fun too.

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Dickies Buyer’s Guide – Trousers
Ordering trousers online comes with obvious difficulties. There’s nothing worse than receiving an order you were excited about and it doesn’t quite fit properly. Taking a closer look at the iconic ‘Dickies pants’ here’s everything you need to help get it right…
Key things to know:
- Know your fit / measure your waist and inside leg
- 65% polyester 35% cotton – Plain twill fabric which is durable, resistant and doesn’t crease as easily
- Reinforced belt loops and hook and eye clasp for the fastening.
- The logo is above the right back pocket
Dickies 872 Trouser (slim fit)
- 28-Short up to 38-Long in-store and online.
- Self-explanatory in the name but these are the more fitted of the dickies trousers. They are noticeably more snug around your waist and thighs. If you are a leaner build these are the perfect hybrid trouser between smart and casual.
- They are longer in the leg giving a more tailored appearance but it also means you can turn them up if you want to.
- These trousers though are more popular with low-profile trainers such as Vans and Converse.
Dickies 873 Trouser (slim straight fit)
- 30-Short to 40-Regular in-store and online.
- The Dickies 873 are a slimmer fit in comparison to the 874 but more slouchy tailored pants in comparison to the 872’s. Hugging your thigh, glutes and groin area. The 873 has a slimmer fit around the thighs but still offers room to breathe. From the knee down it has a slightly tapered leg that overall creates a generally slimmer aesthetic.
- The 873 sits just above your trainer but is similar in length to the 874 so looks great with anything from a pair of Clarks Wallabee to a basketball trainer from sportswear brands such as Puma and BOSS.
- These trousers are true to size. Sizing up will not give you a looser fit, it’s the nature of the trousers to be a slimmer style. They are the same plain twill fabric, with the same effect once worn in. Wearability is where these trousers shine, you can wear them for work, skating, casual, and formal.

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Dickies 874 trousers – (original fit)
- 30-Regular to 36-Regular.
- This trouser is their baggiest fit. However, they are still straight-fitting trousers from your hip. Meaning they can be narrow on your hip so if you do have a bigger bum, size up.
- This is their bestselling and most popular style of trousers. The 874 offers smart casual trousers that you can wear from anything from skating to formal occasions.