Color Codes

Carhartt's 1990s code system was color-specific which meant that items of the same style had a slightly different code if they were of a different color. Carhartt simplified their code system beginning in 1997 so that all items of a given style had the same style code but a different color code if the color varied.

## **1990s: Color-Specific Style/Color Codes**

The style codes of early Carhartt items were unique to a particular style and color. For example, "JQ2005" and "JQ2007" both described a Quilted Flannel-Lined Duck Santa Fe Jacket but the difference in the end of the codes is due to their difference in color: "5" refers to "Black" and "7" refers to "Natural".

Most styles that were introduced in the 1990s specified color at the *end* of the style code as in the previous example. However, some existing styles from years prior continued to specify the color at the *beginning* of the style code, such as in 6BLJ: "6" refers to "Carhartt Brown".

In addition to the numbers referring to the color, letters were often used to describe features of the product, such as "C" for "Coat", "J" for "Jacket", "B" for "Blanket", "Q" for "Quilt", etc. However, some abbreviations are not as intuitive , such as "R" for "Thermal."

The middle of the codes differed as the style was updated but they also changed depending on whether the item was in a Regular or Tall size. For example, "CQ186" and "CQ196" are both the same style but "CQ1*8*6" is in *Regular* sizing and "CQ1*9*6" is in *Tall* sizing.

Examples of style codes that existed before the 1990s:

* Style: Blanket-Lined Firm Duck Detroit Jacket in "Carhartt Brown" Codes: 6BLJ - "6" for "Carhartt Brown", "B" for "Blanket", "L" for "Lined", "J" for "Jacket"

* Style: Blanket-Lined Denim Chore Coat in "Blue" 8LCT - "8" for "Blue", "L" for "Lined", "C" for "Coat", "T" for "Tall"

Examples of style codes introduced in the 1990s:

* Style: Blanket-Lined Sandstone Duck Coat in "Hunter Green" Code: CB143 - "C" for "Coat", "B" for "Blanket", "43" for "Hunter Green"

* Style: Quilted Flannel-Lined Firm Duck Santa Fe Jacket in "Damson" Code: JQ2057 - "J" for "Jacket", "Q" for "Quilted", "57" for "Damson"

Of course there are exceptions to the general trends. Knit items like shirts and sweatshirts do not follow the same code format as outerwear, pants, overalls, etc. Instead, their style codes were expressed simply as numbers.

## 1997: Simplified Style & Color Codes

In 1997 Carhartt simplified their code format. Style codes were separated from color codes. Style codes now included letter prefixes that corresponded to a category followed by numbers that increased in value as more styles were introduced. Three-letter color codes were introduced and were placed after the style code. Tags on items manufactured as early as late 1997 often had both the old and new codes printed on them to help this transition go smoothly, also known as "transition tags."

Examples:

* Style: Blanket-Lined Firm Duck Detroit Jacket in "Carhartt Brown" **6BLJ** (Regular sizes) / **6BLJT** (Tall sizes) became **J01 BRN.** The style code is **J01** where **"J"** stood for "Jacket", **"01"** because it was the first jacket style to be assigned a new code and **"BRN"** was the new color code for **"Carhartt Brown".**

* Style: Blanket-Lined Firm Duck Detroit Jacket in "Navy" **JB102** (Regular sizes) / **JB112** (Tall sizes) became **J01 NVY**. The style code is **J01** where **"J"** stood for "Jacket", **"01"** because it was the first jacket style to be assigned a new code and **"NVY"** was the new color code for **"Navy".**

* Style: Blanket-Lined Firm Duck Detroit Jacket in "Black" **JB105** (Regular sizes) / **JB115** (Tall sizes) became **J01 BLK**. The style code is **J01** where **"J"** stood for "Jacket", **"01"** because it was the first jacket style to be assigned a new code and **"BLK"** was the new color code for **"Black".**

## 2012: Six-Digit Style Codes and Three-Digit Color Codes

In 2012, Carhartt introduced a new style and color code format that was implemented in newly introduced styles. It's important to note that existing styles kept their existing codes. New styles were assigned a six digit style code that increased in value more styles were added. Carhartt also introduced new three digit color codes.

Examples:

* Style: Relaxed Fit Force Tappen Ripstop Cargo Pant Code: 101148 257 - "101148" is the style code and "257" is the color code for "Yukon".

* Style: Blanket-Lined Duck Detroit Jacket Code: 103828 BRN - "103828" is the style code and "BLK" is the color code for "Black".