I can't believe people are into coveralls

[GHT]

Every man should go out in drag at least once in his lifetime.

One new year's eve, Tina & I went to a rather good NYE party. It was themed, to go as someone recognisable, but of the opposite sex. Not ever could I pass as a woman, but I could do a comic part. I found one of those straw like wigs you see on shop mannequins, Tina made me a floor length red lamé ballgown, to hide my size ten feet. Tina also did my make-up, complete with latex snout. I went as Miss Piggy.
When we got to the party, the host said that all the guys, who are now girls, had to go to the pub. We had some wonderful characters, there was a Mary Poppins, a Carmen Miranda and, I kid you not, an almost believable Jessica Rabbit, who all agreed to go to the pub. Then the host dropped the bombshell: "On the bus." That brightened up East London that New Year's Eve I can tell you. My one and only time I have ever dressed in drag.

 

[Stearmen]

Of course, this man made Bib Overalls internationally famous in the 50s!

 

[LizzieMaine]

To say nothing of Larry Semon in the twenties.

Damn, he's hot.

 

[EngProf]

Just for curiosity, are there differences in what country or region you live in concerning definitions? Around here "coveralls" are what Lizzie was wearing and "overalls" are what the race driver was wearing.
Are the terms interchangeable in some locales?

 

[BobHufford]

Your definition is correct for this area. You will sometimes hear "bib-fronts" for the race-driver's style.

 

[Stearmen]

To say nothing of Larry Semon in the twenties.

View attachment 53031

Damn, he's hot.

Funny on who gets remembered and who is forgotten! Even I had to look up Larry, then I remembered him. On the other hand, Carroll Shelby, is in the process of fallowing men like, The Red Barron, and Lawrence Of Arabia into the mythical realm! Most of what you read about him, and especially his involvement with the diminutive AC Cobra is utter nonsense, with little bearing on the actual car and making it into a car of far greater stature then it ever had in the 60s.

 

[tonyb]

^^^^*
But we love our myths, Stearman. Just leave St. Nicholas alone and all will be well.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Around here "overalls" and "coveralls" are used interchangeably to refer to the one-piece work suit, but "overalls" is the only word to describe the bib-front garment usually worn by small children and chicken farmers. The bib-front waterproof garment worn by lobstermen, however, is called "Grundens."

A one-piece work suit is also sometimes called a "monkey suit."

 

[EngProf]

Around here "overalls" and "coveralls" are used interchangeably to refer to the one-piece work suit, but "overalls" is the only word to describe the bib-front garment usually worn by small children and chicken farmers. The bib-front waterproof garment worn by lobstermen, however, is called "Grundens."

A one-piece work suit is also sometimes called a "monkey suit."

Well, I'm glad I asked. Around here (South) no one would call "overalls" (what farmers wear) "coveralls" (what mechanics wear).
As for "Grundens", we don't have those at all - no lobsters, either. Perhaps a few crawfish...

 

[Lean'n'mean]

So where do dungarees fit in ?

 

[LizzieMaine]

That's what people born before 1970 call "jeans," that and "Levis." Although the word was used much earlier in other parts of the country, I personally never heard the word "jeans" used to describe pants until the designer-jeans fad of the '80s.

 

[Zombie_61]

That's what people born before 1970 call "jeans," that and "Levis." Although the word was used much earlier in other parts of the country, I personally never heard the word "jeans" used to describe pants until the designer-jeans fad of the '80s.

I think that depends on where you live, or at least where you lived when you were growing up. Here in southern California I've never heard anyone use the word "dungarees"--they were always called "blue jeans" or simply "jeans", and I was born in 1961. And I don't remember anyone calling them "Levis" or "501s" until some time in the early 1980s; probably to differentiate them from those horrid designer jeans.

 

[tonyb]

My grandfather called 'em dungarees. I called 'em blue jeans. When I was a little kid jeans were worn routinely by youngsters but grownups wore 'em only if they expected to be getting dirty. They were work clothes for tradespeople and weekend wear for white- and pink-collar types, to be donned for gardening or tending to repairs and maintenance around the house.

And then came the mid- to late-60s ...

 

[Edward]

Terminology variance in just one language is fascinating. To me, the 'bib overalls' have always been dungarees, jeans jeans, and the all-over number a "boiler suit".

 

[DrMacabre]

Hello, I have to admit, i’m among the coveralls lovers, too bad the old herringbone ones are often too large for me or overpriced.

Here a recent interpretation of old Bonneville mechanics coveralls from Lee.

Short sleeve herringbone Wrangler coveralls

And finally, a 1966 issued pilot coveralls with a 40’s horshide jacket.

 

[M Brown]

I keep a pair in the workshop for wear when I'm working on vehicles or anything that involves oil or grease.

 

[BobHufford]

I keep a pair in the workshop for wear when I'm working on vehicles or anything that involves oil or grease.

Yep ... picked up a nice herringbone pair of Keys at Sears a couple of years ago at a huge discount. I don't wear them as daily wear, but do wear bib-fronts quite often.

 

[Turnip]

My only overall so far.

 

[Hercule]

Seems to me I remember that Winston Churchill spoke highly of coveralls.

 

[DrMacabre]

A couple of new coveralls added to my collection.
Key herringbone and Short sleeves Dickies.