I know people who are anything but working class who wear Carharts because they think it makes them look cool (kind of like the wannabe rappers who all wear Timberland boots). I've had several people come to my farm wearing brand new Carhart jackets, shirts, pants, boots, the whole nine yards with not a speck of dirt on them. After talking with them for a bit the truth comes out "Oh, we're from Brooklyn." OK, now it makes sense.
In the old days schools and colleges had a reasonable yet clean dress code no matter their status and where they came from. Same thing in the military, private schools, etc...
That gave purpose and pride to the individual unlike today by lowering the bar and standards for everyone.