Dehen 1920

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      Founded in 1920 in Portland, Oregon, Dehen 1920 has built a century-long legacy making heavyweight American apparel with uncompromising quality. From varsity and riding sweaters to the iconic Varsity Jacket, the brand still manufactures in Portland, carrying forward its “Heavy Duty, Old School Truth” through the Dehen 1920 line.

      11 products

      Dehen 1920: A century of American-made workwear

      Some brands replicate vintage American workwear. Dehen has been making it for generations. Founded by William Peter Dehen in 1920, the company began knitting varsity and collegiate sweaters in the 1920s, supplied motorcycle clubs with riding sweaters in the 1930s, and later expanded into varsity jackets in the 1950s. That history still shows up in the way Dehen approaches its clothing today, from heavyweight fabrics and rugged workwear styles to its continued production in Portland, Oregon.

      The brand has continued making garments using processes that have changed surprisingly little over the decades, with original designs evolving through improvements rather than being replaced every season. The N-1 Deck Jacket is a good example of Dehen's workwear approach, combining a military-inspired design with waxed canvas and a warm lining, while the Crissman Overshirt offers a lighter layer that can sit comfortably over a tee or under a heavier jacket.

      If your wardrobe starts with Japanese garments, Dehen 1920 makes a lot of sense as the next layer. These are pieces you can wear with the same pair of raw or selvedge jeans again and again, rather than treating each garment as part of a complete outfit. 

      FAQ

      Where is Dehen 1920 made?

      Dehen manufactures its garments domestically out of a 20,000-square-foot factory in Portland, Oregon, with a small, tight-knit team. The company actually knits its own fabric from custom dyed yarns, then presses, cuts, and sews the garments entirely in-house.

      What materials is Dehen 1920 clothing known for?

      Dehen 1920 is known for using heavy, 100% wool knit fabrics. The wool is sourced from sheep ranches in the USA and spun into yarn and custom-dyed in North Carolina. However, they also incorporate other durable natural and weather-resistant fibres into their collections, including cotton corduroy and waxed cotton.

      How do the Dehen 1920 jackets fit?

      Generally, the Dehen 1920 jacket fits vary by design. The N-1 Deck Jacket fits slightly slim because of the heavy-duty waxed canvas and Mouton body lining. These materials have virtually no stretch, so we recommend sizing up if you plan to layer underneath for extra room across the chest and shoulders. Meanwhile, the Chore Coat 2.0 offers a true-to-size, roomier workwear silhouette for effortless layering.

      What should I wear with Dehen 1920?

      Dehen works naturally with Japanese brands, such as Pure Blue Japan, Studio D’Artisan, UES, TCB, Samurai Jeans, and The Flat Head. Pairing raw or selvedge jeans, t-shirts, flannels, and other workwear pieces makes Dehen easy to work into an existing wardrobe.

      Where to buy Dehen 1920 in Canada?

      Private & Co. is an authorized Dehen 1920 Canada stockist. Our current collection includes pieces like the Crissman Overshirt, N-1 Deck Jacket, Flight Vest, Utility Vest, and wool baseball and watch caps. Shop online or visit us at 83 East Pender in Vancouver's Chinatown to see and try on the garments in person.