Like all things retro, a trip into the world of men's dungarees is sure to make you nostalgic. And seeing as this trend has managed to make several comebacks over the years, it's safe to say that dungarees - also known as suspender dungarees or simply dungarees for men - are here to stay.
In fact, you might have a row of them in a back corner of your closet - maybe something your mom saved from your childhood, or leftovers from your 1990s wardrobes.
Functional, hard-wearing and always on-trend , good men's dungarees are an essential part of your wardrobe. But what do you know of its history? For that, we'll quickly revisit fashion history to show how the humble dungarees have evolved over time.
1 - The Origins of Dungarees
Simply put, dungarees for men are a type of protective clothing worn by workers. Dungarees originated in the 17th century in India , in a village called "Dungri" (sometimes spelled "Dongri"). Indian calico , a coarse and thick fabric used to make durable but inexpensive work clothes, had the same name.
In true British tradition, when the English bought this tough fabric to make their own workmen's trousers, they adopted the name with a British twist, calling the fabric "dungaree".
In 1853, the fabric of La Salopette was used by Levi Strauss and his business partner Jacob Davis to design an outfit useful to workers and craftsmen , this legendary bib-trousers called "dungarees" . Designed to be durable and practical workwear, these dungarees featured buckles, buttonholes and a bib that allowed tools to be carried hands-free, eliminating the need for bulky belts.
Men's bib dungarees became so popular that they eventually became standard workwear across America . To avoid confusion, these dungarees were color coded and occupation coded . The railwaymen's dungarees were in hickory stripe and the painters' in white , while all other workers' dungarees were trimmed in shades of blue.
Dungarees eventually became part of mainstream fashion when even Hollywood greats, Judy Garland, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood , began to wear them casually. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Here is a mini history of dungarees as we know them today:
- 17th century: dungarees were born in India in the 17th century in an Indian village called "Dungri".
- 1853: the fabric of La Salopette is used by Levi Strauss and his business partner Jacob Davis to make the first bib-pants combination called "dungarees".
- Late 1960s to 1970s: Men and women wear flared dungarees during the height of the flower power movement of the hippie generation.
- 1980s: Punk, big shoulder pads and oversized blazers, bold colors and silhouettes marked the fashion of the 1980s. -Gos and New Kids on the Block wear dungarees. Even the late Princess Diana wore dungarees with her pastel 1980s look.
- 1990s: The 1990s - usually associated with the heyday of hip-hop fashion - obviously loved dungarees. Want proof? Everyone - from Whitney Houston, Sir Elton John, Tupac Shakur, TLC and NSYNC to Katie Holmes as Joey Potter in Dawson's Creek, Will Smith as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Jennifer Aniston as Rachel in the world-famous comedy TV series "Friends" - wears denim dungarees.
- Early 2000s: Dungarees made a comeback in the early 2000s, and were worn by Destiny's Child and famous American rapper Eminem , among others.
- Today: Female and male celebrities seem to be infatuated with this evergreen fashion trend - once again! Indeed, American hip-hop artists A$AP Rocky and Chance the Rapper have been spotted wearing men's dungarees on various occasions.
So if you've recently felt the urge to wear men's denim dungarees, slim-fit dungarees, or dungarees shorts, it's high time to jump on the dungarees bandwagon.
2 - How to Wear Dungarees for Men?
People love dungarees because they're functional, versatile , and always in style.
You can wear your dungarees in different ways.
2.1 - The Two Straps are Attached
Follow the example of your favorite stars by pairing a crew neck shirt with navy dungarees and black leather shoes. You can also go for an all-denim look by wearing a blue denim shirt under your dungarees and finishing it off with brown leather oxfords.
2.2 - A Single Locked Strap
Reminiscent of one of Will Smith's looks, the single strap look synonymous with relaxation where you can play with the bib for a modern style in tune with the times, you can wear your red shirt with a crew neck favorite and your fitted dungarees with low-top red leather sneakers. You can also go effortlessly casual by wearing your dungarees with a black crew neck T-shirt and matching black suede sandals.
2.3 - Detached Flap
Nothing is more casual than totally unstructured navy blue or black dungarees, paired with a plain white T-shirt and light blue denim jacket, as well as derbies or sneakers.
If you like quirky, colorful pieces or floral shirts, don't be afraid to experiment because anything goes as long as you bring your mojo with you.
3 - When to Wear Men's Dungarees?
Although dungarees are versatile enough to be worn in any season , there are specific occasions and events when wearing them is essential:
- Festival/Summer Season: Get ready for summer and festival season by wearing comfortable denim short dungarees, colorful vintage dungarees or printed denim dungarees. Pair them with your favorite plain colored or white tee, a printed button-up shirt, a basic vest or with a hoodie.
- Winter: Stay comfortable while staying fashionable in your slim or comfy fit blue or black denim dungarees paired with your favorite hoodie, black sweatshirt or plain white shirt and a gray overcoat.
4 - What to Wear with Men's Dungarees?
The dungarees are an original and very trendy garment , it only takes a few things to match it nicely . You can easily combine it with:
- A white tee , you can never go wrong with a basic white tee paired with your dungarees because the look you get is always effortlessly cool.
- A white or colored hoodie , one of the easiest ways to enhance your dungarees for a daytime winter outing is to wear a light colored sweatshirt.
- A plaid shirt and bucket hat , probably the most popular utilitarian clothing trend, a plaid shirt and matching fisherman beanie gives off a manly yet hip vibe.
- 90s-inspired accessories , such as a chain or an extra large hoodie. If you find your dungarees a bit bland, you can wear matching color caps, backpacks, bandanas or sunglasses to instantly up the style factor.
- Canvas high top sneakers , casual shirts and tees always pair perfectly with canvas dungarees and sneakers for a boy-next-door look.
- Sneakers , if you are looking for a casual and relaxed look with dungarees, thick sneakers are the shoes to be preferred.
- Boots , perfectly suited to the workwear and utilitarian clothing trend, boots definitely add a masculine touch to dungarees.
