What is BIG YANK?
BIG YANK is an American workwear brand established in 1919 by the Reliance Manufacturing Company, founded in 1897.
The brand produced work shirts, denim, and coveralls, and enjoyed great popularity in the United States after World War II.
It is known for tough, long-lasting workwear, a commitment to domestic manufacturing and quality, and deep ties to working-class culture.
Founding and Golden Age (1919–1940s)
BIG YANK was born in Chicago in 1919.
Its durable, functional work shirts, denim, and coveralls quickly became popular among working people.
Its distinctive pocket design, known as the Gacha-Poke (the asymmetric pockets), was patented and even showcased at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair.
In the 1940s the brand supplied the U.S. Navy, and it became a staple among blue-collar workers.
Disappearance (1980s)
In the 1980s, however, the rise of overseas production and changing consumer tastes led BIG YANK to disappear from the market.
Even so, Gacha-Poke and Yama-Poke (mountain-shaped pocket) models remained highly prized on the vintage market, and the spirit of the brand quietly lived on.
Revival (2012–)
In 2012, BIG YANK was rebuilt by archivist Kinji Teramoto.
Period sewing techniques, name tags, and materials were faithfully reproduced, and the brand was revived from a contemporary perspective.
The reissued models drew attention in the premium workwear market, once again offering "authentic functional beauty."
Today, and Into the Future
Today, BIG YANK honors more than a century of craftsmanship while offering products suited to modern life.
Under the concept of "a garment you can wear for 100 years," it carries forward traditional designs like the Gacha-Poke and Yama-Poke while rebuilding them with new materials and ideas.
Inheriting the glory of its past, the brand moves forward with its eyes on the next 100 years.