Coveralls Academy: How to Wear your Denim Overalls

As kids, overalls were all the rage. Lengthened, shortened, buckled, undone—there seemed to be endless ways to wear these strappy wonders. Decades later we are all grown up and are still enchanted by these denim onesies and luckily they have done a little growing up themselves.

Now in slim, distressed and cropped styles these overalls are still just as versatile as they ever were. Unsure of how to style them without feeling like a kid again? We’ve put together kid-proof outfit ideas to get you inspired.

Tailoring 101

Show off your sartorial skills when you elevate your overalls from casual to chic. Find a pair with a slightly snug fit and play close attention to the quality of the denim. Then style it with a slim-fit black turtleneck for a top that can do no wrong. Polish it off with a roll of your denim to show off a pair of pumps and let a little gold jewelry bring the glam.

Ancestry 201

Cropped coveralls could make you look like you are wearing your little brothers bibs—nix the shrunken look of the abbreviated legs with a few grown up touches. A beige heel will lengthen your legs and make the crop feel purposeful while a sleeveless button down blouse will lend a sophisticated hand in taking these jeans up a level. Finish it off with a structured handbag and shades and these playground classics graduate to high-street style.

Layering 301

Overalls are a shoulder-to-shoes commitment that leave some of us with cold feet. But don’t fear jumping all-in when you tone down your all-over denim by covering some of it up. A navy blazer and scarf dresses up your jeans while also breaking up the appearance of your onesie. Lace into a pair of brown oxfords for a grownup take on a school-kid classic.

Reclaim your overalls and buckle into a pair with a decidedly grown up feel. Take your childhood favorites off the jungle-gym and into the concrete jungle.

Overall, these jeans are a good idea.