Dickies Men's Bib Overall: Investing in a body tent canvas or Embodying my canvas tarp as new canvas duck overalls

Nice bibs but the waist is smaller than expected and the pants legs are longer than expected and the straps should be longer. My husband wears 33x32 so that's what I ordered. He's not fat , doesn't have a long torso and is pretty average. The straps are maxed out, the waist is sort of tight to button and he rolls up the legs about 2 or 3 inches so they don't drag on the ground. otherwise they are nice bibs, heavy material and good construction but the sizing is weird.

So that is a typical review for these Dickie's Men's Bibs Overalls. They are made in a soft yet durable and pliable duck canvas 12 ounce or also considered denim. But the "cut" of the cloth is strange. So I wanted overalls for all the reasons - working outside, comfort - no "plumber's butt" - and no belt tightening problem. I bought the 30 inch inseam and 34 waist - thinking to make sure it's a bigger waist size. But unfortunately I had the same problem as above - except the inseam length was correct.

So I was wearing jeans when I tried them on - but I realized - nope that's not gonna happen. I can only wear them without pants underneath. So then I washed them in cold - as directed - and dried on the lowest heat as directed.

 Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co. has transformed itself from a small bib overall company to the largest workwear manufacturer in the world. Dickies now offers a broad spectrum of work garments ranging from work pants and work shirts to denim jeans and women's workwear. Since its beginnings in 1922, every piece of Dickies workwear has stood for the quality, toughness, and pride that embodies the spirit of the American worker.

As I read the reviews though - several said they had to take the overalls to a seamstress or tailor. But one person said they took out the strap adjusters - thereby enabling the straps to be longer.

 I removed the metal adjustment parts on the straps and it helped a little bit, but still a bit short.

Yes consistently people wrote reviews stating the straps should be longer - and so that's what I did. I cut out the seam on the straps - and took the buckle out. Then I did a double sewing - two stitches - per strap. So 4 sewing jobs.

Then the moment of truth happened. Presto! Now they hang lower on the trunk - no more tight grabbing in the groin - although it's still a little tight - in the lower back maybe. Not too bad. But now the "bib" is too low. Oh well. The straps end at my pectorals.

Anyway now I am "wearing" my tarp - more or less the same color as the "industrial" tarp I had over the car - the same tarp that was too traumatic for my new "planned" housing association. They ruled in their board of directors meeting that I had to remove my tarp from our driveway - as it was too much of an eyesore. haha.

So now I'm a walking Tarp!! A walking tent tarp!

 This brand of overalls is known to be a softer material than typical overalls. They are very comfy - very pliable and soft - and yet strong canvas.

So no "binding" belt on the waist - and no "plumber's butt" from pants stretching out from bending over.... plus tons of pockets.

I usually get pants at the thrift store - in fact I have not bought a pair of new pants in probably 30 years - maybe one pair of new pants in 30 years. I do get one pair of Duluth Traders pants as a xmas gift. But it was all getting old - the whole "pants" thing. I actually wear through those Duluth jeans in one year - they get holes in them.

I wonder how tight a weave they are - how "heavy" a cotton fabric?  Yeah - 11.2 is their lighter cotton and then 13 ounce is their heavier cotton.

So most people had the legs "shortened" so they didn't have to roll up the pant bottom - but then an "old timer" said actually he just folded his up 3 inches - as they used to be worn.

 They do come a bit long, but that is because they are meant to be worn with turned-up cuffs.

So I looked this up - to see if it was true.

Farmers, oilmen, miners, construction crew, and manufacturing workers may have chosen the classic denim overall to wear to work. Overalls were a one piece unit made of heavy denim cotton or duck cloth in blue, black, white or blue and white thin stripes. Railroad men usually wore striped overalls and painters wore white. All other occupations preferred blue denim. Black denim was less common after the 1920s.

The front bib often had one or many pockets to hold small tools. Additional large pockets were on the back of the of overalls as well as side pockets. For the early 1920s to 1940s, overalls had large fold up cuffs (why? I am not sure). The fit of the coverall remained quite baggy for the 1920s to 1940s and slimmed down in the 1950s and 1960s to a fit you still see today.

 So you're supposed to buy them TOO long and therefore "baggy" enough on the up side - and then you HAVE to roll up the pant legs. I made the mistake of not buying the leg as "too long" - as many (if not most) of the buyers did. Instead - I found this advice:

the waist must go around/over your tummy, and not so much around your hips, or beneath your tummy (your "gut") as you do with jeans, resulting in a larger bibs waist size. * I order bibs waist two (2) sizes larger than my jeans: 38" jeans, I order 42" bibs. * I order bibs inseam two (2) sizes shorter than my jeans: 34" jeans, I order 30" bibs. * waist x inseam: >>> 38" x 34" jeans = 42" x 30" bib overalls <<< (for me.)

 So that's a pretty dramatic difference in the sizing spread!! Look at how overly long the bottom of his pants are - hilarious. Quite amazing - but that appears to be the only logic to these overalls fitting correctly - or else do the modification on the straps that I did.

I like these funky pockets on the side.

actually I think that's on the back. My pockets seem to be different or "lacking" a bit. Oh well. I don't really need the "fob" pocket watch pocket... or do I have it?

Yeah I DEFINITELY do not have those two upper button holes - the "old skool" pocket watch "fob" holes....

OK I ALSO do not have the lower horizontal pocket - below that diagonal pocket. I do have the one diagonal pocket - at a 45 degree angle.

OK this is the specific precise "model" that I bought... again - HOLY MOLY those are overly long pant bottoms!! Hilarious!!

Wait those have the Pocket watch holes also - so it's still the SAME overalls only being marketed as "jeans" - since they're folded over....

If zipper is pulled up all the way to the top then it come apart. Top of zipper needs to be stitched so that zipper can’t come up to far!

 Once again - want them to FIT? Gotta seriously roll up those pant bottoms!! Hilarious...

So all these shots with the pant legs that are not rolled up or way too long - those crotches are too tight - if they bend at all. That's why they are standing locked kneed.

If the leg muscles are not mobilized - then it causes fainting!! oops.