Am I too old for dungarees?
Photos: Claire Pepper
One thing I have pondered over the last few seasons is this: could my love of a good jumpsuit transfer to a fondness for dungarees? Same workwear family, less fabric. Admittedly, there are times when I’ve been boiling in my heavier boiler suits. In fact, the word dungaree comes from the Hindi dungri, a course calico material. Anyhow. Having not worn opinion-dividing overalls since 1977, I wasn’t entirely convinced. But, a straw poll of women in the office, women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, provided unanimous dungaree approval. As the aim of my Know Your Seasonal Style series is to experiment, nudge the boundaries and hopefully find new winning combinations, I decided to give dungarees a go.
Many a stylish woman has donned dungarees – Lee Miller, Cate Blanchett, Maxine Peake, Linda Rodin – these are my kind of heroines. Gentlewomen with a penchant for workwear, part Land Girl, part luvvie. Pure Casual Glamour ( can’t tell you how pleased I was when researching this to find a Vogue feature entitled Cate Blanchett’s Workwear Obsession). Should you fancy dabbling with dungarees: the ones I’m wearing are from the small, independent, British designer Kate Sheridan, they’re made from heavy cotton drill in the north of England (though Kate does have a version in jumbo cord, too), the 1940shop (on Etsy) sells dungarees in cotton drill that are ‘as close as possible’ to the original 1940’s Women’s Land Army uniform of the Second World War. Hush has a lovely pair in fern green corduroy and Frame’s flared denim dungarees are similar to the ones I owned in the 1970s.
Lee Miller in sailcloth overalls by George Huyningen Huen. Vintage 1940s dungarees photo via Pinterest
Whoop things up with low-heeled ankle boots and a blazer, or match the colour of the overalls to the top underneath a la Cate Blanchett. The verdict? I’m not too old (that was a rhetorical question) but I don’t feel as comfortable in dungarees as I do in a jumpsuit. And I definitely don’t look as jaunty as Lee Miller & Co. (above). Also, straps equal faffage. I’ll probably buy a new pair of cargo pants instead.
The silk shirt is from Jigsaw, the leather shoulder bag is by Mimi Berry (made in Manchester) and the leopard print shoes are Tracey Neuls – and, of course, all these items (borrowed for the shoot and returned) work perfectly with a little Khaki Malarkey.
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Go easy in the comments box….
Discussion (51 Comments)
Boadicea says:
I love ’em! I think my original, last worn back when I was a gel, is buried somewhere in my clothes archive – in other words, at the back of the wardrobe. I feel a rummage coming on!
Oh, the straps. Not such a faff as a whole boiler suit top, surely? Just tuck them inside as you’re ‘taking down’.Mrs Tonia says:
As usual Alyson you look good in this outfit. I’m with the pink silk blouse and matching pink leopard shoes and using khaki as a neutral. But I think one needs your height and slenderness to pull this off. I never wore them nor jumpsuits at any age being neither tall enough nor slim of chest for this to be flattering. I do wear khaki trousers including cargo pants and leopard prints in browns but also blues, reds and purples. One has to chose the bits that work for ones shape here.
Julia Neall says:
love them in principal but would have to fit well as last worn when pregnant twice in the 80’s -jumbo black cord! learnt my lesson by the third baby in the 90’s
Deede says:
You look fantastic in the pink and khaki…Of course you can and should wear dungarees…..There is no age expiration on this look….
Thanks for sharing…Robyn says:
The answers is you are not too old for dungarees, I call them overalls. The outfit is great. When my children were younger I wore overalls all the time. The other day my neighbor had on a pair and they looked great on her. I’ve added a pair to my fall wish list, may get black but the green you have on is tempting.
Jill says:
I have ordered three pair….all I gave away….I didn’t like the fit…..Maybe I need to go into a store and try them on first…..I would love a pair. They are fun and sporty. Great for a lunch out and shopping or hanging out with friends…..Love the pink blouse with the olive green. The shoes are so cute, too.
Lynne Robinson says:
Fabulous! I recently unearthed a pair of Levis from the bottom of a suitcase I store hard to part with pieces in – these have a 90’s expiration date!
I intend to rock them Western style – with Cowboy boots and denim shirts – Never too old if it fits and feels great, is my motto. Of course there are exceptions.
They look great on you, love the way you have styled them!
Monty says:
I love the styling of this piece but dungarees and I have never seen eye to eye 😉 Definitely need to get my hands on that shirt though!
Marilyn says:
Love the colour combination and styling. However, dungarees not for me, I fear I’d look and feel like a Tellytubby.
Barbara Thompson says:
If I had your figure, I would wear them. They look so cute on you! What a fun outfit for apple picking or leaf raking or a fall outing on a boat or bicycle. I don’t have your figure, so would look really stupid in them – more Ma Kettle. Or, as others pointed out – Tellytubby.
OF COURSE!!! Please, wear whatever you want, that’s true personal style. I wear mini skirts and couldn’t care less about whether they are age appropriate. As long as they look good on you, why would you stop? It’s not like you’re trying to dress like a teen, which is my pet peeve. Your taste is flawless, wear what suits you.
Gerry says:
I love you in them. I have fond memories of wearing them in the early eighties but wish I knew where the genuine pair of adult Osk Kosh’s we had in railroad stripe disappeared to now, grrr!
Jan says:
Never too old it’s a question of how you feel and how you wear them. You look great Alison adore the shoes and shirt.,style is what we all would like to have.jan
I can’t get with dungarees…. but I do love a well-cut boiler suit and am in search of one right now.
Belinda Naylor says:
My love of workwear was transformed into a documentary I made for BBC Radio 4, entitled ‘When Women Wore the Trousers’ and featured the wonderful Maxine Peak. For all those workwear lovers out there; please enjoy! https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08spk82
Barbara says:
It’s not that you’re too old. It’s just that they’re unflattering. Gardening only attire.
Joyce Morris says:
They look amazing. I’m 70, still love fashion and if I were a little less porky I wouldn’t hesitate to don a pair, although think they would be a bit of a trial with a UTI!!
As for garden only attire, really, that’s too silly for words. The Chanel suit would be far too uncomfortable darling.
Go Alyson!You look great in your dungarees Alison. Never too old for them. I am 65 and still love wearing mine. I have a pair of ticking striped Osh Kosh. Do you remember thoseeing from the 70’s.
Joanna says:
I will leave these to the young and construction types. I’m sorry but they look ridiculous on anyone over thirty, unless you are going out to work on your car or into your garden. I took a poll of my two daughters ( 40 & 44) and they would not wear them, either. I do like your pink blouse and brogues a lot. Pink & Khaki/Olive are a great combo.
Oh dear, what is wrong with you people. Personally I think she looks amazing. What, therefore, do you consider casual wear?
Have you seen Linda Rodin? I would be interested to know if you think she looks ridiculous?
Can’t find her in dungs., but, to be honest, I imagine she would look classy in a dish cloth !
Ladies! It’s just MY thoughts on dungarees. We don’t all have to like the same things. I don’t give a fig what you or anyone else wears. I just wouldn’t wear them myself. Please don’t jump on those that don’t share your opinion. Alyson asked the question and we answered how WE felt about them.
fabhat says:
I haven’t ventured into dungarees yet since I stole my mum’s old pair aged 17. I do wear a pinafore dress with dungaree straps – which is pretty similar – and am preparing me to dip my toe…having already fallen for Jumpsuits. I think I would probably go Blanchett style – and stick with the same colour though on the t shirt and dungarees.
I do quite like the utility look – as though I work in a artsy/creative industry – it makes me feel capable of anything and also removes all that pulling up/pulling down of clothes that is so annoying. I’m often having to carry things or reach for stuff and love not feeling worried about accidentally showing my bum to the world – also great for when I’m running around with my kids.
PATRICIA HORGAN says:
You wear them well – it is not so much a matter of age as style and having the savvy to know what might work well with them.
Hmmm. Not sure. At the end of the day, it does look like factory uniform. Plus, I was wearing them the first time around when they were in fashion…some forty years ago. As a fashion style, not as a functional utility item. If I wore it before, should I be wearing it again in my mid sixties?
I just realized that what you’re calling “dungarees” we in the U.S. most often call “overalls.” Either way I love them and don’t think we’re ever to old to wear them. My strong belief is that we can wear most anything if we know how. That’s where you come in…
Susana says:
Black overalls are my staple outfit this summer/fall. Favorite pairings are leopard shirt, white or graphic T, black shirt to give illusion of a jumpsuit. Receive compliments every time I wear them. I’m 66, my love of uniform/utilitarian style is deeply rooted and still going strong.
Caroline says:
Ooh, you’re mentioned cargo trousers – I recently bought a pair of Dickies camo cargo trousers from the men’s dept and they are THE BEST. Highly recommend, if you can find them. Most excellent masculine piece that goes brilliantly with a fine cashmere jumper or silk blouse for a cool feminine/masculine mix.
Carla says:
I love mine – and I’m old! Lucy and Yak have some fabulous ones – http://www.lucyandyak.com – I feel great in mine!
Caro says:
Kaki workwear and pink silk is a great combo, but I am just not a fan of dungarees. It reminds me too much of the 70-ies and working in the garden.
We call them overalls on this side of the Pacific. I have always loved them, but haven’t worn them for years. I’m pretty sure there’s still a pair of old favourites hiding in my storage room. Perhaps I’ll have to dig them out and give them another go. Maybe I’m not too old for them either!
Ann says:
Here in the US Midwest, we call those things “overalls.” And every old man in the county has three pairs — an old pair, a new pair, and a church pair. I actually have two pair.
Here they come in one color and a single fabric — heavy blue denim, and I mean HEAVY. They have tons of utility pockets and hanger-oners, including a loop for a hammer, and the buckles and snaps are made of brass. Mine are made by Key Apparel.
I wear mine often while mowing trimming trees, cleaning fencelines, clearing trails, and picking up downed timber. They’re also good for walking through briars and brambles.
But I’d have to be going to a costume party to wear them anywhere in town except to the feed store. 😉
Chrissie Dyson says:
Love this look, age? Pah! It is a refreshing change from the deluge of leopard print which I am fed up with already, primarily because it seems compulsory for leopard print skirts to be either tube skirts, have ridiculously high thigh splits, or be mini skirts. Is it so impossible to design an A line leopard print skirt? Sorry, rant over x
Gillian Gustar says:
Love jumpsuits – but for those of us who are, shall I say delicately, ‘well endowed’ in the chest region, dungarees never lie/sit/look right. I love the way you’ve put the outfit together Alyson, and you look great – but I’m kind of relieved that you admit to their ‘faff’ factor. It lets me off the hook with experimenting – something I am doing more of since reading your ‘top tips’. Oddly, as I’ve never really worn them, I’m discovering a new fondness for dresses.
Anne says:
Of course you’re not to old! I (age 65) adore overalls – and many other of your suggestions. But I’m perpetually frustrated by having to click on individual items for sourcing. Your Shop tab has only a few items and I hate wading through anyone’s Instagram. How about Shop the Edit list with bigger thumbnails on one page that identify the source and let you click through?
Oooh love love love the back of these dungarees – and the colours is SO nice!
Charlene H says:
I’m 69 and, this year, brought out my old, old Gap denim overalls and khaki cropped overalls. With a slim-fitting tee and sneakers, it seems to bring them up-to-date. Also, last year, brought out my old Flax black linen ones. They all work in the casual Southern California vibe. Thankful to still fit in them!!!
You look great. I’d look terrible. Let’s just say I have an ample bosom. I just can’t see those one me. But anyone else? Absolutely
[…] It. I love Alyson’s creative, casual style. On her blog, she recently wrote a post entitled Am I too old for dungarees? That sent me back to the storage room to dig out another of my old favourites that had been hiding […]
I think you look smashing in your
Outfit.
Currently I’m wearing my denim
dungerees at home or to put the rubbish out!
Someone did mention Meryl Streep as I ventured outside, but
they are very ‘Shortsighted’ or ‘Nearsighted’ if you live in the US!
Hey Ho, I’m 75 next month and could care a tosh what people think! “ Well perhaps a little bit”!Judy M says:
Coming to this post quite late: I bought a pair of overalls in the sale to do the decorating in but received such high approval ratings from my family that I’m now considering leaving the house in them
Lucy says:
I am 71 and love my dungarees. i have full length ones and just below knee. Who cares I’m 5’10 and get away with them. X
Margareta Lillieskold 
Lorinda Carne 
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I just can,t get on with dungarees, or boiler suits. I try to like them but they’re Just not my thing. My 22 year old son however can’t get enough of them ( but he’s a creative type!). I do love a bit of khaki with pink though. Very very nice!