The 6 outfits here run from black overalls with a white undershirt to blue denim over a hoodie, and what separates them is the weather and how dressed up you need to be.
Cold mornings call for the hoodie layer, a dinner or a date calls for the button-down under dark denim, and a first pair of overalls is easiest in a white tee with white sneakers.
One detail applies to nearly all of them: the bib sits better on a body when the shirt underneath fits close, so a tee with sleeves ending mid-bicep beats a loose one.
1. Black Overalls with a White Undershirt
Black overalls with a plain white undershirt is the strictest color pairing on this list, and that is why it works. 2 colors leave nothing to clash, so the outfit looks planned even when you dressed in a rush.
Pick a white tee that is clean and crisp, since a gray-tinged or stretched-out one shows against black. Sunglasses are an easy third piece, and white sneakers keep the contrast going down to the ground.
Black hides wear better than blue, which suits a guy who wants one pair he can wash and forget.
2. Overalls with One Strap Loose
A single unclipped strap turns overalls from a work garment into something relaxed. Black denim with a black beanie keeps it dark and low-key, so the loose strap is the only loose thing in the outfit.
Let the free strap hang naturally rather than tucking it into a pocket; it looks careless in the right way. Black and white sneakers tie the shoes to the dark top and the pale wall-style neutrals around it.
I would keep the other strap fastened and snug. If both sides slouch, the outfit looks unfinished instead of easy.
3. Classic Workwear Overalls
Blue denim overalls are the original, and wearing them with few additions is the version I trust most. A black tee underneath gives you contrast without a pattern to manage.
Nothing here needs ironing or matching, which suits a man who wants an outfit without effort or a big budget.
If the denim is stiff, wash it a couple of times before wearing it out. A bib that bends with you looks better on a sidewalk than one that stands off your chest.
Overalls, as much as possible, should feel like a relad part of the outfit—almost a denim basic—and not the main event. Fit should be loose, but never, ever baggy.
— GQ
4. Overalls Over a Button-Down Shirt
A button-down under dark denim overalls is the dressed-up option. The collar frames your face, and the shirt makes the bib look deliberate instead of like coveralls.
Choose a shirt in a solid or quiet color, and button it to the top or leave one button open. Dark denim keeps the look sharp enough for a casual dinner or a store run with a date.
A beret is a bold extra, and it works best when everything else stays plain. Skip it if hats aren’t your habit; the shirt and overalls carry the outfit alone.
5. Overalls with a White T-Shirt
Blue denim overalls, a white tee, white sneakers: three pieces, and no one needs an explanation. Nothing here takes much thought to copy, and I’d start with it if you’ve never worn overalls.
Fit the tee so the sleeves end mid-bicep and the hem stays inside the bib. Too long, and it bunches at the waist sides.
White on top and on your feet makes the blue look deliberate. The cost is upkeep, because white tees and sneakers need regular washing to stay bright.
6. Overalls Layered Over a Hoodie
Pulling overalls over a black hoodie is the cold-weather answer, and the easiest one. The hoodie adds a layer of warmth under the bib, so the outfit works well past the first chilly mornings.
Pick a hoodie that sits close rather than oversized, or the bib will bulge.
Let the hood lie flat at the back of your neck and add a hat on top. A brown bucket hat softens the black and blue, and it keeps a dark outfit from feeling heavy.
Plain hats read cleaner than ones with slogans, which I would skip.
