What's In Vogue- Dungarees

A Dungaree is most times "a garment consisting of trousers with a bib held up by straps over the shoulders, made of calico, denim, or a similar material and worn as casual or working clothes".

QUICK WORD: A bib is "the upper part of some aprons, dungarees, etc, that covers the upper front part of the body" or it is popularly also know as "a piece of cloth or plastic worn, especially by babies, to protect their clothes while eating".

FUN FACTS

•  A dungaree can also be called "an overall, over all, bib-and-brace overalls", pinafores, depending on your choice of name.
•  The word ‘dungaree’ comes from the name for a coarse cloth made in the remote Indian village of Dongri.
• Dungarees have been around since 1792, and were originally used as protective clothing for slaves, farmers and manual laborers.  Since the cloth was inexpensive and resistant to wear, dungarees became popular with workers. Towards the end of the 40s, they became fashionable and by the start of the 50s, gained wider acceptance as casual wear.  They were particularly popular for children’s clothing. 

By the 60s, dungarees became the focus of fashion trends. 

In subsequent years, dungarees have gone in and out of fashion. So you can categorically say dungarees are a "blast from the past", as they have been around as far back as anyone can remember. So like everything in fashion usually has its "season", dungarees have been revived from most recently the 90's and are super trendy.

• Fashion forward celebrities including Alexa Chung, Selma Blair, Rihanna and Kerry Katona etc., style bloggers and of course catwalks, have all revived this look.
• Not all dungarees come in denim form. There are dungarees in different fabrics and textures. 
•  Dungarees come in all sorts of styles; playsuit, jumpsuit, full trouser length, shorts, skirts, prints and colours.

 

 

A feminized version of the dungaree is the dungaree dress: a bibbed top attached to a skirt. These can be anything from casual to sporty to floor-length. How you wear your dungaree dress depends entirely on the style of dress you go for.

Dungaree dresses at DKNY and Alexis Mabille S/S 2014

• Dungarees are super comfy, versatile; can be worn with literally any style of top, and easy to wear. (would help hide that bulging tummy after you have eaten. Hehe)

 HOW TO STYLE/WEAR YOUR DUNGAREES

• Dungarees can be a little boxy and boyish, so soften them up by wearing them with a feminine blouse., sheer tops, etc.

• Crop Tops anyone? They look great under a pair of dungarees, so if you are comfortable with baring your midriffs, go ahead.

•  Pop Of Colour: Get dungarees in bold colours to add more vibe to your androgynous look

Kinder Aguggini Spring/Summer 2013

Phillip Lim S/S 13

Shoes: Pair your dungarees with literally any type of shoe; converse, brogues, ankle boots, platform sandals, heels. Heels make it look updated, urban and hot, sneakers make it look laid back and cool, ankle boots give it a "rocknroll" style, gladiator sandals are boho-chic.

• Short dungarees are great for dressing up and down. Wear with flats during the day for a casual look, and change into a pair of heels for a night time look.

• Because dungarees don't always come in denim, this smart black tailored pair from River Island would even work for A FORMAL LOOK - just add a monochrome shirt and heels, and even a blazer.

This could also pass of for a formal look, more likely paired with a court shoe for instance.

Alice Tate

• Accessories: Adding interesting accessories ensures your look will be fashion forward, so try stacking on several bangles along with statement rings and bold earrings, watches, bags/clutches, nail polish, and even sunglasses, to feminize your tom boyish overalls.

• Adding a tailored blazer and a pair of minimalist heels is the easiest way to make the denim dungarees instantly slick. Add a cardigan or leather jacket on top for chilly nights

•  Double Denim Overall anyone? Remember the post I did on how to pair your denim on denim HERE

OVERALLS FOR MEN
Dungarees for men might be a little bit controversial and not as accepted as its been for women. But things could change though. I know they look uber cute on little children, but on men "scratches chin" I don't know yet.

It is a major statement that only very few will be brave enough to wear, despite designers such as Raf Simons, Balmain and Louis Vuitton pushing the piece for SS14.

 

What do you think? Would you gladly rock one or should the dungarees trend just disappear for good?
 
CREDITS
Google Google Images Teen Vogue Cosmopolitan Glamour.co.za
Wikipedia
Courieronline
Pinterest
Stylefruits
Stylecracker
Dailymail Thefashiontag
Marieclaire Fashionising
Glamourmagazine
Teenvogue.com
Thefreedictionary Fashionbeans