Firecracker's Blog

WIW: a fringe trend, overalls

December 15, 2018

In reviewing the fall/winter 2018 fashion shows, Angie noted a trend toward "80s and 90s Fabness." Among the 90s retro looks, she mentioned overalls. I have kind of liked overalls--on other people!--but didn't really think of them as something I'd wear. I don't know why. Too different? (But I wear harem pants, which are not exactly mainstream in my daily environs.) Too rural? Not sophisticated enough?

Shopping at Nordstrom yesterday, though, I saw a salesperson wearing a pair that looked so great on her, I wanted to try them. "Do you have those?" I asked, pointing at her outfit. And sure enough, there was a pair, somewhere "in the back," which made it into my dressing room.

Here are my retro 90s overalls, worn in the least costumey, most characteristically "me" way I could think of. My DH said, "That's a new look!" I asked if he liked them, and he said, "I can get used to them." He's such a sport!

The outfit: Zip front, raw-hem, slightly distressed overalls (Reformation, Benji); black waffle t-shirt, black studded booties (Halogen), silver bicycle chain bracelet, silver earrings.

I think there are a lot of tops I could wear with these, but I wanted to
keep it simple for their first outing. I think they will be fun for
spring and summer, with lighter tops and sandals or sneakers.

These may be kind of a wild card for me, but they feel easy to wear. What do you think? Something you can "get used to" like my DH? I look forward to your thoughts, and suggestions for ways to wear this "new" look.

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Posted in the What I Wore category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

37 Comments

  • wendy replied 5 years ago

    I love your outfit! It's fun and polished at the same time.

    I used to almost live in overalls. I haven't worn them in a few of years, but I did pull out an old pair the other day and tried them on. I wear mine a little bigger and slouchier, more of a bohemian vibe.

  • Joy replied 5 years ago

    I have bad memories of overalls from many years ago and would not wear them myself, but these look good on you. I like the fit and the way you have styled them a bit tough. I think it takes a good figure ( which you have) to wear overalls successfully. Too slender or too curvy can make the look fall flat

  • replied 5 years ago

    I LOVE ❤️ them!!!! I want a pair like those. I've always loved overalls.

  • rachylou replied 5 years ago

    They’re great! I agree: You do a polished, grown up overall :)

  • Suz replied 5 years ago

    Oooh, fun!! Yes, a wild card, but a good one, I think. Fits in with your arty style persona really well. You are so darn stylish! Also, Mr. Firecracker is the best. 

  • Bijou replied 5 years ago

    Love them, polished overalls - who would have thought! They are a perfect fit and such a fun alternative to jeans. To me, this is a perfect wildcard, something that can replace a basic and adds additional flair.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 5 years ago

    Wendy, I'd like to see yours! I think overalls tend to look boho, generally, unless they are on the farm. Both of my grandfathers, Midwestern farmers, used to wear them.

    Joy, I think you could rock some overalls, but not if they bring back bad memories!

    Wandara, I'm glad you like them!

    Rachylou, it almost seems "polished overall" is an oxymoron! haha!

    Thank you, Suz! Coming from you, O Stylish One (meant sincerely), that's a compliment!  And yes, Mr. Firecracker is a keeper.

    Bijou, exactly--I'm thinking of these as part of my jeans capsule. Another denim update.


  • Jessikams replied 5 years ago

    I adore my overalls, especially in winter they feel so cozy and can easily hide thermal layers.

  • Inge replied 5 years ago

    Your DH is sweet:-)
    I have a soft spot for overalls myself (haven't tried on a pair since my teens ;-) and I'm loving these on you, Sharan! Great fit, and wonderful how you styled them here. And I agree that there are lots more outfit possibilities. Great new addition to your denim collection!

  • pil replied 5 years ago

    Love those on you!
    I had a pair in college that I adored. My mother on the other hand......not so much.

  • Style Fan replied 5 years ago

    Your overalls are very fab.  I love how you have styled them.  I have seen a few younger women wear them and they look very hip.  I had overalls in the early 70s.
      

  • Helena replied 5 years ago

    LOVE!!! These look so good. Good on Mr. Firecracker for being supportive!

  • Joyce B replied 5 years ago

    They look fab on you and the booties are perfect with them.
    The only thing that takes getting used to is managing the bathroom break. Otherwise they are fab.

  • kkards replied 5 years ago

    FAB! FAB! FAB!

    i saw these in finds earlier this week and i clicked thru to see who had collected these....i'll be honest i was suprised it was you, i had expected it to be annagybe...and then i was hoping that if you bought them, you'd show us...i really can't tell you how much i like how you've styled these, and i can see them with a simple tee and sneakers...

  • Murph11 replied 5 years ago

    All the sudden I need overalls! These are awesome, and I will keep an eye out for your additional styling posts. So fun!

  • Janet replied 5 years ago

    Those are great on you! You've managed to make them look sophisticated yet fun. 

    I admire them on others, but I have never even tried them. Not only do I think they would not look right on my body, but I can hear my dad's voice in my head asking if I'm up early to milk the cows. 

  • nemosmom replied 5 years ago

    You rock these overalls! Kudos to your DH for being supportive!

  • Angie replied 5 years ago

    Super Cute ‘90s Fabness. Your grace and sass pulls them off with an arty attitude.

  • JAileen replied 5 years ago

    I love overalls, and you look great in these.

  • Karie replied 5 years ago

    These look great on you, and I love the way you’ve styled them

  • Runcarla replied 5 years ago

    OMG! That was my uniform in the late '70's! I was reading about the trend, and considering a pair. You wear this look very well!

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  • Jaime replied 5 years ago

    You're killing me Sharan! I love overalls and have a pair of blue and white stripe (I've been working on the railroad) that I haven't dared to wear. Apparently, and perhaps oddly, this is where I found my age boundary. But you look so fabulous, I might have to reconsider.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 5 years ago

    Thanks, everyone!
    Jessikams, I bet your overalls are stylish as well as cozy.
    Inge, thanks. If you see a pair in the store, you could give them a try again. Just for old times'sake, right?
    Haha, Pil!
    kkards, I'm glad to oblige! Your comment really made me smile. I think Anna does have some overalls that she has shown here before.
    StyleFan, I guess you skipped their revival in the 90s. I don't think I ever wore them. . . except for a red print corduroy pair I had in 5th grade and loved. I think Mom made them.
    Torontogirl, thank you!
    JoyceB, these are easy to get into and out of, with the zipper up the front. I prefer overalls to a jumpsuit, because a bathroom stop doesn't involve taking my top off.
    Murph11--ha! exactly my thought when I saw the SA wearing these!
    Janet, thanks! I think my dad would say something similar.
    Nemosmom, thank you!
    Angie, you are so sweet--thanks!
    JAileen and Karie, thank you!
    Runcarla, what a great photo!! You could rock them again.
    Shevia, I hear you about the age-boundary doubts. I had those thoughts, too, and decided to ignore them and forge ahead. I'd love to see you railroad-striped pair.


  • jussie replied 5 years ago

    I agree they work on you. Nice one! They’d work with all kinds of funky boots :)

  • Kari replied 5 years ago

    Oh wow! Leave it to you to make overalls look this chic and arty. I love the zipper front and the way you styled them.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 5 years ago

    Thanks, Jussie! I'll try them with different boot options--good idea.
    Thanks, Kari! I think the zipper front was a good part of what appealed to me, too.

  • Sal replied 5 years ago

    These look awesome on you Firecracker - wear and enjoy!!  I think fun with sneakers, oxfords and mules/slides for summer.  I could see them with light colours too.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 5 years ago

    Thanks for the ideas, Sal!

  • jill58 replied 5 years ago

    As always, I love your style. You pull these off perfectly.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 5 years ago

    Thank you, Jill!

  • kellygirl replied 5 years ago

    These are stellar on you! I love how you can make these trends your own. Great wildcard and so fun!

  • replied 5 years ago

    I'm with Suz - they suit your artistic/artsy way of dressing and your persona, and are a fun thing to add to a wardrobe! You have styled them perfectly here , and I vote to keep them! And kudos to Mr Firecracker for having an open mind:)

  • Inge replied 5 years ago

    I will for sure, Sharan!

    P.S. Carla, I love that pic of you!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 5 years ago

    Thank you, Kelly and Lisa! It's funny how they seemed so out of the ordinary for me. Glad to hear they look in keeping with my style!

  • April replied 5 years ago

    Damn, I thought of overalls as an item from my "grad student What Not to Wear" era.  You have made me reconsider that for sure, FC.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 5 years ago

    Ha! April, I'm chuckling and glad to put them into a different category for you.

  • Sara L. replied 5 years ago

    They look great on you!  I love the raw hems.  

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Welcome to my style blog. Dressing is something all of us do each day, but for me it is also a hobby. I like to find new ways to wear the clothes I have, make new clothes to add to my wardrobe (yes, sewing is another hobby!), shop for clothes, read and discuss fashion. Following You Look Fab has fueled my interest in taking outfit pictures to see where I've been and to get different perspectives on style. Thanks for joining me. I always appreciate hearing your thoughts.