à la mode

The first recollection of overalls dated back to the early 1700s. This is when men were the sole muscle power of the country and needed practical uniforms to do their jobs. Overalls were always made out of durable materials like thick denim, so that workers could rely on their clothes and not have to worry about them during work.

History of the Overalls
In the 1700s, overalls were introduced and were a preferred garment to wear to work. Many clothing companies mass produced overalls because the demand for them skyrocketed. By the late 1800s, overalls became personalized and standardized depending on the work you would do. Different colors helped people identify workers. White for painters, pin striped for railroad workers, and blue for everybody else.
They were definitely a staple in everybody's closet at the time. Levi was the first brand to create jeans, so their version of overalls was very popular.


By the 1900s, overalls and pants in general were beginning to trend. Many women and children found that overalls were also a practical and durable piece of clothing to have in their wardrobes. It was easy to dress kids and have them get dirty in their overalls and it was easy for women to wear them just like men as they started to work more in jobs that required them.  Women in the workforce was not a normal thing to see. However, during World War II, many women proved to overcome gender discrimination and started to take on the jobs men would normally do like working in the military, working in factories and construction. Rosie the Riveter was a propaganda campaign and was very famous during the 1940s and beyond. She is seen on a post wearing coveralls, or overalls that have a shirt connected to them.
Overalls Today
By the mid 1900s, overalls have trended into vital pieces of clothing in one's wardrobe.

They're not only durable, they're a classic and have been fashionable for years. More patterns, designs, and colors have been created for overalls. In the 80s and especially the 90s, corduroy overalls in pastels were a hit.

Overalls became increasingly popular with kids because of their simple design and how easy they are to get on. While many think overalls are too youthful, many women love the look of it as a casual garment to wear wherever and whenever.

Why I Still Love This Trend
I personally feel like overalls will always be fashionable as new designers are creating modern designs to fit the standards and trends going on today. I used to wear overalls as a kid and have been skeptical to try and wear them again! I especially love the new colors and materials that have been used in newer designs. The khaki and cargo material make them look very loose and laid back, but also put together. You can pair them with sneakers, sandals, flats, or heels, and I love the different looks you can make with them. They're such an innovative and simple piece to have and wear.

Will This Continue to Trend?
I feel like overalls have slowly disappeared and are currently not seen enough in the media nowadays. However, I feel like people are just trying out newer trends and different things right now and overalls will eventually make their way back somehow in another form or style. I believe that fashion cycles constantly and always comes back later in a new and improved way. Take chokers, bomber jackets, or even Birkenstocks for example. They are great trends that have once in time sparked new ground breaking trends of the decades.

I wouldn't be surprised if we saw work clothes turn into normal, casual clothes. Who would have thought that a farmers uniform could turn into a chic and casual way of wearing pants!? Fashion amazes me in the way that we can transform pieces and make them our own. Have you worn overalls? 

Fashion has been constantly changing; what is and isn't fashionable has always come to question when it comes to wearing athletic clothing outside of the gym. A very popular trend that is seen throughout the fashion world nowadays is wearing yoga pants, gym shoes, or any other type of athletic gear out as casual wear instead of something you would normally sweat in. Inspired by many avant-garde looks we have seen recently on the runways, athletic fabrics like nylon, spandex, mesh, and other types of garments have been incorporated into designs that have spread throughout the mass fashion industry. It is becoming more or less expensive depending on where you shop and which style suits you the most. 

While I think that this "athleisure" trend is not so much a fad, I think that pieces and accessorizing with athletic wear like gym shoes paired with rolled up jeans, a sporty headband, or even wearing something as little as a FitBit or athletic watch might add a bit of uniqueness and taste to any outfit. I know that many stars like Ellie Goulding, Kate Hudson, Kylie Jenner, and more all love to sport athleisure and active wear as their daily casual outfits, as well. It's comfortable and very practical especially if you have a job that allows you to dress informally.  A classic athleisure look would be yoga pants paired with gym shoes and a sweatshirt or shirt, but now, people are blending normal tops and also accessorizing with jewelry to make the look more dressed up, as you can see in the photo above.