Just like everything retro, a trip downwards men'southward dungarees lane is sure to make you lot feel nostalgic. And seeing how the trend has managed to make several comebacks through the years, it's prophylactic to say dungarees — too known as bib-and-brace overalls or simply men's overalls — are hither to stay.

In fact, you may just have one tucked abroad in a distant corner of your wardrobe — perhaps something your mum kept from your Oshkosh B'Gosh toddler days, or remnants of your version of 'Sk8er Boi' style.

Functional, long-wearing and ever a tad fashionable, a great pair of men's denim dungarees is a surefire wardrobe staple. Only how much practice you know nearly your favourite dungarees? For this, we'll quickly revisit fashion history to show how the humble dungaree has evolved through time.

This xc'south street habiliment classic is always there and always versatile (and perfect for summer). Dungarees are covered in washes, prints and colours!

Penelope Armstrong (boohooMAN Senior Menswear Designer)

Contents

  • The origins of dungarees/overalls
  • How to wear men's dungarees/overalls
  • When to habiliment men's dungarees/overalls
  • What to wear with men's dungarees/overalls

The Origins of Dungarees/Overalls

how to wear men's dungarees_how to wear overalls guys

In elementary terms, men's dungarees are a type of protective garment worn by workers. Dungarees originated in 17th-century Republic of india from an Indian village called 'Dungri' (sometimes spelled 'Dongri'). The fibroid, thick Indian calico cloth used to make durable yet cheap work apparel was also called by the aforementioned proper noun.

In truthful British fashion, when the English purchased the hard-wearing fabric to make their ain workman's trousers, they adopted the name with a British twist, calling the cloth "dungaree" instead of "Dungri".

By 1853, the dungaree cloth was used by Levi Strauss and his business concern partner Jacob Davis to make the kickoff bib and trousers combination called "overalls". Designed to be durable and practical workmen's wear, these overalls came with loops, buttonholes and a bib which allowed for the easily-costless carrying of tools, thereby eliminating the need for cumbersome waist belts.

Men's bib overalls became so pop that they eventually became standard workmen'due south garments across America. To avoid confusion, these dungarees were colour coded past profession. Railroad workers' dungarees were in hickory stripe and painters' were done in white, whilst all other workmen'south dungarees were tailored in varying shades of blue.

Dungarees eventually became office of mainstream fashion when even Hollywood royalty Judy Garland, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood began wearing them casually. And the rest, equally they say, is history.

A Mini-History of Dungarees/Overalls

how to wear men's dungarees_how to wear overalls guys

Here's a mini history of dungarees/overalls as we know them today:

  • 17th century: dungarees originated in 17th-century India from an Indian village chosen "Dungri".
  • 1853: the dungaree fabric was used by Levi Strauss and his business partner Jacob Davis to make the first bib and trousers combination called "overalls".
  • Late 1960s to the 1970s: Both men and women wore flared dungarees at the top of the flower power movement of the hippie generation.
  • 1980s: Punk, big shoulder pads and oversized blazers, bold colours and silhouettes marked 1980s fashion. Considered one of the most eclectic decades in fashion, the 1980s saw famous bands like Bananarama, The Go-Gos and New Kids on the Block sporting overalls. Even the late Princess Diana wore dungarees with her 1980s pastel look.
  • 1990s: The 1990s — unremarkably associated with the height of hip-hop manner — obviously loved dungarees. Need proof? Anybody — from Whitney Houston, Sir Elton John, Tupac Shakur, TLC and NSYNC to Katie Holmes as Joey Potter in Dawson'south Creek, Volition Smith as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Jennifer Aniston equally Rachel in the world-famous comedy tv set series 'Friends' — wore denim dungarees.
  • Early 2000s: Dungarees made a comeback in the early on 2000s, and were worn notably by Destiny's Child and famous American rapper Eminem.
  • Today: both female person and male person celebrities seem to exist smitten with this evergreen mode trend —  yet once more! In fact, American hip-hop artists A$AP Rocky and Take a chance the Rapper have been sighted wearing men's overalls on various occasions.

So, if yous've lately been feelingit — whether it'south wearing men'south denim bib overalls, slim fit dungarees or dungaree shorts — it's high time you get on the dungaree bandwagon.

How to Wearable Men'southward Dungarees/Overalls?

  • Both straps locked in
  • Only ane strap locked in
  • Undone

People honey dungarees because they're functional, versatile and always on-tendency. Now that men no longer shy abroad from the European cutting, men's dungarees fashioned closer to the male grade are definitely a welcome alternative to the typical oversized ones.

You tin can wearable your dungarees in different ways.

Both straps locked in

Go the Harry Styles road by pairing an aquamarine impress crew-neck shirt with navy blue overalls and blackness leather derby shoes. Or practise denim on denim with a blue denim shirt underneath your overalls, finished off with brown leather oxfords.

Only one strap locked in

Reminiscent of ane of Will Smith'south The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air looks, the one-strap look adds a relaxed vibe to your overall getup. For the perfect urban street style, you can article of clothing your favourite ruddy crew cervix shirt and your slim-fit overalls together with red leather low-top sneakers. Y'all can also look effortlessly casual in your dungarees with a black coiffure neck T-shirt and matching black suede sandals.

Undone

Nada says comfortably cool similar totally undone navy blue or black overalls paired with a patently white tee and light blue denim jacket, also equally black leather derby shoes.

If you love prints or coincidental shirts, don't be agape to experiment as anything goes as long as you lot bring your mojo with you.

When to Wear Men'south Dungarees/Overalls?

how to wear men's dungarees_how to wear overalls guys

Although men's dungarees are versatile enough to wear whatever the flavor, at that place are specific occasions and events where wearing them is a must:

  • Festival flavour/summer: set for the summer and festival flavor in your comfortable slim-fit denim dungaree shorts, coloured denim dungarees or printed denim dungarees (rolled-up). Pair these with your favourite coloured or white plain tee, push-upward impress shirt, denim shirt or basic vest.
  • Winter:stay snug however stylish in your bluish or black slim fit or comfort fit denim dungarees paired with your favourite hoodie, blackness sweatshirt or a plain white shirt and gray overcoat.

What to Wear with Men's Dungarees/Overalls?

  • A white tee
  • A white or pastel sweatshirt
  • A bank check shirt and a fisherman beanie
  • 90s-inspired accessories
  • Hi-top sail trainers
  • Mesomorphic trainers
  • Boots

Men's dungarees are great on their own (beingness the subtly fashionable workwear that they are), then information technology doesn't take much to dress them up quite nicely. You tin can easily pair them with:

A white tee

You can never go wrong with a basic white tee paired with your dungarees, every bit the await yous get is e'er effortlessly cool.

A white or pastel sweatshirt

One of the simplest ways to jazz upwardly your dungarees for a daytime winter outing is to wear a light-coloured sweatshirt.

A cheque shirt and a fisherman beanie

Probably the most popular workwear and utility tendency in dungaree mode, a check shirt and a matching fisherman beanie exude a manly nevertheless fashionable vibe.

90s-inspired accessories

If you think your dungaree getup is a little banal, you can wear matching bucket hats, bum bags, bandanas or coloured sunglasses to instantly amp up the style factor.

How-do-you-do-elevation canvas trainers

Coincidental shirts and tees always friction match upward perfectly with dungarees and hi-top sail trainers for that boy-next-door look.

Chunky trainers

If yous're later on a sporty casual dungaree look, chunky trainers are your best go-to footwear.

Boots

A perfect friction match to the work wear and utility trend, boots definitely add a masculine entreatment to dungaree fashion.

Accept-Home Message

Whatever you lot wear, remember that dungarees are such a strong component in an outfit that it's usually best to go on everything else toned down and simple.