A common query from newcomers, and more experienced alike, in the world of workwear and so as one of the leading workwear suppliers we thought we try and come up with a definitive answer. Well here goes!

The short answer is that whether you use the term boilersuit, overall, coverall or even dungaree you are basically looking at a one piece garment, as opposed to two separate garments (top and trousers) that cover the body. But why do we have all these terms for what is basically the same thing?

Part of the reason is the way workwear has developed. The use of clothing that has specifically designed to be used as “workwear” goes back around two hundred years, but it also developed across different countries. Therefore with multiple inventions of the same thing, albeit in many variations, everyone came up with their own name.  Take the word overall, this makes its first appearance in the Oxford Dictionary defined as a piece of clothing worn over the top of trousers to protect against damage in the work environment. However, this was amended in 1815 to be an outer cloak and all in one item of workwear. It also adds the term ‘bib and brace’ as an alternative name, thanks!

Then there are the international variations, here in the UK it is an overall, but in the USA it was the coverall which appeared in the early twentieth century to describe protective work uniforms for mechanics. And in the modern world with international travel and commerce then the terms become interchangeable.

In addition the world of fashion has also had a part to play by naming all in clothing as dungarees, which are normally made from denim. So whether it’s a coverall, boiler suit or overall it can sometimes come down to the use or the brand that develops it. However here at Brookes this workwear suppliers will meet your needs whatever you want to call it.