Dungarees have experienced quite a unsteady record as far as fashion items are concerned. They seem to have firey properties – as soon as the fashion police have put out the last glowing embers, another outbreak ignites and the whole things starts again. The same thing happens to most styles, though – even that absolute basic, the pair of jeans. Around the turn of the millennium no self-respecting fashionista would be seen in jeans – they were the clothes their parents wore, the legwear presidents and prime ministers slipped into when they were relaxing on the ranch. Well that backlash lasted about two months, and the jean came back stronger and stressed to perfection.

So why do some people always turn their noses up at dungarees? First, it’s probably safe to assume they’ve never worn them, felt the inner freedom and taken advantage of the customisation opportunities. But second, the kind of people who sneer at what other people are wearing usually don’t come with a sense of fun or self-awareness; so perhaps it’s time to ditch their views forever and bring dungarees into our lives.

One of the advantages of dungarees’ rises and drops on the fashion barometer is that dedicated followers ditch them the moment they’re out, and that leaves one big juicy opportunity. Look around vintage clothing stores and you’ll be able to find some amazing dungarees from almost every label imaginable. You’ll soon notice that not all dungas are the same. There are a multitude of shades, different fasteners, straps and pockets, and leg lengths and widths vary too.

Despite the above attempt, there is no real need to defend dungarees – they are quite capable of standing on their own two legs. A brief skim through popular culture will reveal dungaree after dungaree, proving their everlasting status.

An article on dungarees cannot be written without some reference to Dexy’s Midnight Runners, can it? The bohemian look they displayed during their “Come on Eileen” era was an instant hit, and the dungarees were the vital element, often worn over bare skin (a look that can be hard to pull off, admittedly). And if this leads you towards thinking the dunga is a male preserve, look no further than Bananarama, dressed ankle to shoulder in purest dungaree denim in their “Cruel Summer” video.

The Deep South of America spawned the TV show The Dukes of Hazzard, a show whose wardrobe department inadvertently led to the naming of one item of clothing – Daisy Dukes, those very well fitting shorts worn by the show’s heroine. So who can argue with the sartorial tastes of the true star of the show, the unflappable Jesse Duke, rarely seen without his trademark dungarees?

If the name Barbara Good causes a strange stirring deep within you, the chances are you’re a man of a certain age who was exposed to the delightful Felicity Kendal in the BBC show The Good Life. Digging up her garden in her dungarees and wellies set British hearts racing when, technically speaking, it shouldn’t have (especially with Daisy Duke on the other channel). Fast forward a generation and we’ve got Beatrice Dalle smouldering in dungarees as she paints her beach hut in Betty Blue. There’s no doubt about it; the humble dungaree definitely needs a second look.

Author Bio: Robin Kittler is a fashion editor with long experience in the vintage clothing industry having recently conducted fashion research into vintage dungarees as part of Rokit’s true vintage ranges in London.

Category: Womens Interest
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