What are coveralls vs overalls?

That’s a common point of confusion! While both coveralls and overalls are one-piece garments, they serve different purposes and have distinct designs:

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

Feature	Coveralls	Overalls
Primary Purpose	Full-body protection in hazardous environments	Casual wear or light-duty work
Coverage	Full sleeves and legs; entire body coverage	Bib front with shoulder straps; legs only
Design	Zipper/button front from neck to crotch; often has hood	Bib top with shoulder straps; typically sleeveless
Typical Use	Mechanics, painters, factory workers, hazardous material handlers	Farming, gardening, casual fashion, light crafts
Material	Heavy-duty fabrics (denim, canvas, flame-resistant synthetics)	Lighter fabrics (denim, cotton, corduroy)
Protection Level	High; designed for workplace hazards	Low to moderate; primarily for dirt and spills
Style	Functional and utilitarian	More fashionable; often worn as streetwear
Clothing Layer	Worn as outer protective layer	Worn over shirts or sweaters

Coveralls (Boilersuit, Jumpsuit – Work Context):

1. Full Coverage: As the name suggests, they are designed to cover all your regular clothes. They have full sleeves and full legs.

2. Purpose: Primarily protective workwear. Their main job is to shield the wearer and their clothing from dirt, grime, chemicals, paint, sparks, fire, biohazards, etc., in demanding environments.

3. Design:

   • Zip or button front usually running from the neck down to the crotch or lower.

   • Often include a collar.

   • May have a hood attached.

   • Frequently feature numerous pockets (chest, leg, tool loops) designed for utility.

   • Made from durable, often specialized fabrics (heavy-duty cotton, denim, flame-resistant (FR) materials, Tyvek for disposables, waterproof materials).

4. Typical Users: Mechanics, factory workers, painters, construction workers, firefighters (specialized), hazardous material handlers, laboratory personnel, farmers doing messy jobs.

5. How Worn: Worn over regular clothes as a protective outer layer.

Overalls (Dungarees):

1. Bib and Brace Design: The defining feature is the bib front (a panel covering the chest and torso) held up by shoulder straps (braces).

2. Purpose: Originally workwear, now primarily casual wear or light-duty workwear. They offer some protection for the torso and legs but aren’t designed for high-hazard environments like coveralls.

3. Design:

   • No sleeves. They cover the legs and have a bib top.

   • Shoulder straps are usually adjustable (buckles or buttons).

   • The bib often has pockets.

   • Legs may have side pockets.

   • Traditionally made from lighter denim, cotton, or corduroy, though heavier work versions exist.

4. Typical Users: Historically farmers (still used), gardeners, artists, hobbyists; now very popular as fashion items worn by people of all ages.

5. How Worn: Worn over a shirt, t-shirt, or sweater. The bib covers the upper body clothing.

Key Differences Summarized:

• Coverage: Coveralls have sleeves and cover the arms; Overalls do not have sleeves and rely on the bib to cover the torso over your shirt.

• Primary Function: Coveralls = Protection (hazardous work). Overalls = Casual wear/Light Work (or fashion).

• Structure: Coveralls are a full jumpsuit with sleeves. Overalls are pants with an attached bib and shoulder straps.

• Formality: Coveralls are strictly utilitarian workwear. Overalls range from workwear to very casual fashion.

In short:

• Think “full body shield” for messy/dangerous jobs = Coveralls.

• Think “pants with a bib” for casual wear or light chores = Overalls.

While the terms are sometimes used loosely (especially regionally), understanding these core differences in design and purpose is key!

Further reading:

1. Coveralls vs Overalls: Knowing Your Workwear