Overalls are a sturdy one-piece garment that combines a pair of pants with a bib that covers your chest, held up by straps that go over your shoulders. Think of them as pants and a partial shirt built into one piece of clothing.

Farmers and workers have worn overalls for over a century because they're incredibly practical: the bib protects your chest and shirt from dirt and spills, while the many pockets hold tools and supplies. The thick denim or canvas fabric stands up to hard work. You'll often see mechanics wearing overalls while fixing cars, or gardeners wearing them while working in muddy soil.

Kids' overalls usually fasten with metal clips or buttons at the shoulders, making them easy to take on and off. Some people call them dungarees or bib overalls to distinguish them from coveralls, which are similar but cover your entire body, including your arms.

While overalls started as practical work clothing, many people today wear them simply because they like how they look and feel. They've become a classic piece of American clothing, appearing in everything from old photographs of railroad workers to modern fashion.