Wearing Overalls is a Man Thing … until it isn’t.
From Farming to Factories to Mining to Construction … the rough dress for the male worker, were the “slops” … the “dungaree” … the “bib” … the “jumpsuit” … the “coverall” … the “OVERALL”.
Other than Sunday attire, working in the fields, mines, and building buildings, most workers wore overalls. Long sleeve shirts helped protect the body and they always wore hats and caps. The work got done and everyone looks satisfied.
Since the late 1700’s, thru the 1800’s and onto the 20th and 21st century, what was regulated for the working man became open for working women with the advent of women in the work force during WWI and WWII. Later in the century the working garment became “fashion” as well as “protest”. Wearing bib overalls could be seen as a sign of solidarity with the working poor or lower classes or another form of appropriation for the fashion industry and culture.
Sources:
https://middclover.com/fall22/the-history-of-overalls
https://www.popsugar.com/fashion/how-wear-overalls-42633645
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overalls
Read More Posts
