During my last trip to New York City I packed my favorite pair of comfy denim overalls and a bright and colorful sweater. It was the month of October and the seasons were still in transition from summer to fall. It was warm enough to wear overalls and flat sandals in the daytime, but it was nice to have a sweater for those chilly breezy moments.

At the time I was 6 months postpartum after having my daughter and I wasn’t fitting back into my pre-pregnancy clothes just yet. Overalls were the perfect maternity staple, and also awesome for my postpartum wardrobe.

Both my overalls and sweater are from Modcloth, which always has amazing colorful and trendy clothes. They especially have the best rainbow styles!

In this guide you’ll find all kinds of style tips and inspiration for your own sweater and overall outfits. From season to season, this wardrobe combo is an easy to wear and can be worn to all kinds of daytime and evening events.

A Brief Fashion History on Overalls

Overalls, also known as bib overalls or dungarees, may be a wardrobe staple now, but the purpose of this garment has transformed over the decades. Byrdie’s detailed look at denim’s history shows that waist overalls were originally designed to be practical and utilitarian workwear for laborers in the mid-1800s. Levi Strauss then revolutionized this workwear by attaching metal rivets to denim trousers and adding a bib to hold stuff in.

It was when women started participating in the workforce and war efforts that the need to make more lightweight and feminine — yet still durable — overalls arose. This essentially created the modern-day overalls that’s suitable and versatile for women’s fashion. While overalls can now be worn over any kind of clothing, this guide will show you how to style it with a sweater in time for spring.

Set the Seasonal Style Mood

Your choice of color and style for the sweater will define and set the mood you’re going for depending on the season. For a bright spring style, Instyle lists trendy springtime colors that go beyond your usual pastels. This includes the calm and inviting lavender, and the bold and energetic teal that you can easily transition for fall later on. In terms of style, you can wear breathable crewnecks or rib-knit collared sweaters.

For wistful fall and winter vibes, wear dark neutrals like charcoal gray, navy blue, and black. Slim-fit thermal turtlenecks can provide an extra layer of warmth for the cold weather, but you can also rely on woven designs like plaid, fair isle, and cable knit for a much more seasonal vibe.

Experiment with Fabrics and Prints

While denim is what you’d typically associate with overalls, expand your horizons and experiment with the type of material you wear.

If you want something that’s light enough for warm days when you’re going on a picnic with friends, then you can ditch the denim for canvas or a linen blend instead. Etsy has the best selection of linen overalls and jumpers.

Meanwhile, a corduroy alternative provides additional warmth and coziness for pumpkin patch visits during the autumn or holiday get-togethers during winter.

You can also step out of your comfort zone of solid colors by opting for unconventional prints. Vertical stripes on overalls would complement a monochrome sweater, but you can go much more daring by donning overalls in animal prints, patchwork designs, or florals.

Know How to Accessorize Your Overalls Outfit

Like any other outfit, accessories can elevate your look and draw more attention to your overall sense of style. I recommend winter outfit accessories like hats, gloves, and scarves.

You can follow the same principle we’ve used with sweaters and overalls here; feel free to go for rich textures and prints so you can feel warm and look good at the same time! If you’re wearing a knit sweater, then try matching it with a knit beanie in its complementary color.

Depending on the cut of your overalls, a pop of color shown through your socks can also add a subtle aesthetic to your look. Anthropologie makes the best fashion forward statement socks.

Dress Your Overalls Up or Dress Them Down

Since overalls have evolved from durable workwear to stylish and versatile garments, this means the options for dressing it up or down have become limitless. High-rise flare overalls can easily be transformed into a nighttime look, while straight and relaxed fits are better for a brunch with friends or a walk around the neighborhood.

Alternatively, your choice of footwear can also influence where you lie in the spectrum from casual to formal. In a previous blog about a ‘Thrifted Fall Capsule Collection’, I’ve listed certain shoes and boots that are perfect for this season. Wearing ankle booties with boot-cut overalls can perfect your silhouette for a fancy dinner, while loafers can help you stay trendy even when you're just casually running errands.

Avoid Bulky Sweaters When Styling Your Overalls

It might help to avoid chunky and bulky sweaters since they can be hard to wear with the overall bib. You can instead try layering with a knit cardigan or a long coat for a warmer and more sophisticated look.

In Conclusion

Ultimately, there are lots of choices for you to try and work with when it comes to styling a sweater with overalls — from colors, prints, and fabrics, down to your accessories and footwear. For more style guides for each specific season, you can check out the rest of my blog.