A pair of overalls, also know as dungarees, slops, or bibs that is widely popularized in the modern world was actually first created in the 1700's. At first in America, overalls were considered a symbol of lower working class as Depression-era farmers, sailor men, and railroaders commonly wore them due to their protective quality. Overalls, which are made out of denim prevented minor work related injuries such as scratches or blisters towards the skin unlike breeches made out of velvet or silk. Although as time pass, upper class became more accepting of "trousers" rather than the typical breeches and hose. Later, overalls became emblematic of 1960's hippies, college students of the 1970's, and even hip-hop recording artists, who wore them with one shoulder unfastened. Head of departments of Anthropology and Sociology at Iowa State University Dr. Paul Lasley says that overalls have never fully faded from the landscape and the passion is shown through songs about overalls from heartbroken men and women left as sad as their overalls are faded. For instance folk singer Malvena Reynolds' 1956 Bury me in My Overalls. Constructed with tough denim and studded with pockets, a pair of overalls has been equated plainspoken down- to- earthiness within the American culture. Friday, May 12, 2017
Overalls
A pair of overalls, also know as dungarees, slops, or bibs that is widely popularized in the modern world was actually first created in the 1700's. At first in America, overalls were considered a symbol of lower working class as Depression-era farmers, sailor men, and railroaders commonly wore them due to their protective quality. Overalls, which are made out of denim prevented minor work related injuries such as scratches or blisters towards the skin unlike breeches made out of velvet or silk. Although as time pass, upper class became more accepting of "trousers" rather than the typical breeches and hose. Later, overalls became emblematic of 1960's hippies, college students of the 1970's, and even hip-hop recording artists, who wore them with one shoulder unfastened. Head of departments of Anthropology and Sociology at Iowa State University Dr. Paul Lasley says that overalls have never fully faded from the landscape and the passion is shown through songs about overalls from heartbroken men and women left as sad as their overalls are faded. For instance folk singer Malvena Reynolds' 1956 Bury me in My Overalls. Constructed with tough denim and studded with pockets, a pair of overalls has been equated plainspoken down- to- earthiness within the American culture.
Great posts! While overalls are the main focus, I think the bigger theme we get in this post is the profound reflection that clothing is of society at the time. How, overalls, have represented different classes and different movements throughout the era. This is similar to how clothing became shorter during the 1920's and women began to gain greater rights.
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