"Worn in, not worn out"

Our Co-Founder David first used the phrase Worn In, Not Worn Out (#WINWO) in reference to an old but much-loved Satta x Universal Works tee that had made its way back into his daily get-up—and it got us all thinking.

We often get messages from our community, sharing their love for the cherished (sometimes battered, but we love it) Universal Works pieces they are still wearing with pride. Clothes are meant to be lived in, and it makes us smile when someone is so into a garment that they are willing to forgo box-fresh expectations in favour of an old overshirt or pair of trousers that fits just right and, to them, can’t be replaced. To us, it says we have done our job properly.

So, in our latest instalment of #WINWO, we thought we would show off some of our favourite customer submissions, alongside images of our team in their own “worn in but not worn out” UW garments—some even dating back to our very first collections. Enjoy!

To those who have taken the time to share these sartorial memories, thank you! Got one (or a few) of your own? We would love to hear about it.

Mike and his Paisley Jacket and Red Dot Print Scarf.

“I bought this for the funeral of a great professional actor and clown, where I was the celebrant and we all wore red noses. My red nose lives in the pocket and will always elicit a smile when I wear my jacket.”

Karl and his Fleece Jacket.

“My favourite memory of wearing this jacket was last summer—I have a photo of me wearing it, sitting next to my eldest son. I look happy as he had just received his A Level results and was going to his top choice university.”

Fraser and his Bakers Overshirt(s).

“I bought these so long ago I don’t remember. They've been with me for more than a decade I think—worn to meetings, parties, weddings, football matches and on bike rides and beaches in France and Cornwall. The navy one went Interrailing through Europe. I think it came into its own on the Ile De Re—worn over t-shirts as I cycled to beaches and back, then in the evenings buttoned up for Pineau de Charentes and coffee at harbour bars. I'm sure the French eyed it with great envy. They look their age, and the khaki one has a few stains that will always remain—like 'scars' from a battle.”

Azure and his Chalkstripe Cotton Double Blazer.

“I bought this on your website in 2021, during lockdown. It has accompanied me on every important occasion that I have had since. My partner helped with stitching a replacement button. This makes it a unique piece in the world.”

James and his Wool Fleece Cardigan.

“This is incredibly well loved. The button holes are slightly bigger and the material around the elbows is thinner than it once was. It’s the sign of autumn every year. I think I bought this at the start of 2020, just before the world went to shit. I spent so much time wearing it during lockdown and keeping safe with my wife and (at the time) young daughter. Every time I wear it, it reminds me of that quality time we shared. I took part in a street photography exhibition and in the photograph [I sent in], I am wearing it.

Scott and his Scout Jacket.

“From your very early days, I think about 13 or so years ago. I’d already bought a couple of your pieces, so I knew how good your clothes were. This has an almost shiny nylon finish like those old jackets from the ’90s. It has faded a bit in places, but most importantly it has outlasted most other clothes I’ve bought, which have been sold along the way to be replaced with something new. I really don’t think I’ll ever part with this.”

James and his T-Shirt.

“After many years it has acquired loads of holes around the armpits and collar, but I absolutely refuse to give up on it. I have used different colour threads to make do and mend and give this piece a stay of execution. There are more holes forming from some pretty solid use over the years, but as long as I have some thread, this t-shirt is going nowhere…”

Geoff and his Parka.

“I bought this in the old Nottingham store, above Rough Trade. A favourite memory of mine is wearing it going across Pontcysyllte aqueduct on our narrowboat.”

Kev and his Fatigue Jacket.

“I bought this as a 60th birthday gift for myself. I wore it to a Paul Weller gig—I simply feel alive when I wear my jacket!”

Ashley from our Coal Drops Yard team, 

For my "worn in, not worn out" item I chose the NW jacket in green moleskin. This jacket says a lot about me. Growing up my dad only wore a Levi type 2 jacket; I mean that's still all he ever wears . To me, his identity is wrapped up in that jacket, almost like it's his uniform. When I picked up the this jacket I wanted it to be the same kind of thing for me. Something that I would continue to throw on again and again. Last winter our CDY neighbours and friends at Blackhorse Lane Ateliers hosted a pop-up event with London-based craftsman, Giulio Miglietta, who specialises in chain stitch embroidery. At the time I worked along side a team member who loved illustration, tattooing and all things craft really. We bounced off each other and learned a lot together. We both ended up getting jackets worked on, which was fun. So I guess it's also become a bit of a memento of times passed.

I am not precious with it, though, the more it gets beat up the better it gets. Clothing is meant to be worn and loved right?

Vix from our Marketing team,  

"This beauty is a favourite of mine. I just love the striking worker blue colour! It's actually an early prototype of our classic twill MW Fatigue Jacket, which is inspired by an old army jacket. David tells me that the bleach patch was a happy accident that was born through a miss communication with our factory during the development process, after they mistakenly added an arm badge - It's a tad battered but that's part of its charm."

Co-founder Stephanie wearing three items from the archive, 

"The shirt is from our very first season (AW09). I don't wear it too much, it has more sentimental value to me -although now I might start wearing it again. It has a slimmer shape than I like to wear these days, but the styling features are great, - especially the curved front hem and square back which we had to change as it was unpopular with our early customers - shall we bring it back? 

The jacket is fab, our classic Bakers Jacket in a knitted tech mesh fabric (SS14). An unusual UW piece and useful as it is nice and airy! This fabric is never going to look worn being a nylon and polyester mix. The pants are the  UW Kyoto work pant in ‘Italian Denim' from SS19 (the first season we made this style). It's not a true denim but an indigo textured fabric which is wearing nicely as time goes on and remains a summer favourite of mine. I'm wearing Saucony x Universal Works shoes from a collaboration we did for AW15, seen here with a styling addition!"

Michael from our warehouse team,

"The shirt is from a football team called FC Bohemia, which was formed in 1992 following a tournament on the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham. David joined that team in 1995 and has produced many shirts for them over the years. The team is still going strong today - including some of the original founding members - and we still have two games a week on the forest. David and I think that the shirt I’m wearing is at least 10 -15 years old and remains a firm favourite of mine."

Allan our customer service guru, 

"I have this trucker jacket in Kuroki denim. David had a few stonewashed in the production process, and I ended up getting this one which I love. I grew up in the 70's when everyone had a denim trucker style jacket, normally Levi’s, and this is just a classic piece and looks even better now that it’s a bit battered with wear."

Alison from our production team,

We would love to hear from you!

Do you have a much loved UW garment that you'd like to share with us? Tell us more and send a photo of it too, people@universalworks.co.uk.

Please note by submitting via this email account you are confirming that you are happy for us to feature this in future journals/ social media posts.