| rees have experienced quite a unsteady record as far | | | | standing on their own two legs. A brief skim through |
| as fashion items are concerned. They seem to have | | | | popular culture will reveal dungaree after dungaree, |
| firey properties – as soon as the fashion police | | | | proving their everlasting status. |
| have put out the last glowing embers, another | | | | An article on dungarees cannot be written without |
| outbreak ignites and the whole things starts again. The | | | | some reference to Dexy’s Midnight Runners, |
| same thing happens to most styles, though – | | | | can it? The bohemian look they displayed during their |
| even that absolute basic, the pair of jeans. Around the | | | | “Come on Eileen” era was an instant hit, |
| turn of the millennium no self-respecting fashionista | | | | and the dungarees were the vital element, often worn |
| would be seen in jeans – they were the clothes | | | | over bare skin (a look that can be hard to pull off, |
| their parents wore, the legwear presidents and prime | | | | admittedly). And if this leads you towards thinking the |
| ministers slipped into when they were relaxing on the | | | | dunga is a male preserve, look no further than |
| ranch. Well that backlash lasted about two months, | | | | Bananarama, dressed ankle to shoulder in purest |
| and the jean came back stronger and stressed to | | | | dungaree denim in their “Cruel Summer” |
| perfection. | | | | video. |
| So why do some people always turn their noses up at | | | | The Deep South of America spawned the TV show |
| dungarees? First, it’s probably safe to assume | | | | The Dukes of Hazzard, a show whose wardrobe |
| they’ve never worn them, felt the inner | | | | department inadvertently led to the naming of one item |
| freedom and taken advantage of the customisation | | | | of clothing – Daisy Dukes, those very well fitting |
| opportunities. But second, the kind of people who sneer | | | | shorts worn by the show’s heroine. So who |
| at what other people are wearing usually don’t | | | | can argue with the sartorial tastes of the true star of |
| come with a sense of fun or self-awareness; so | | | | the show, the unflappable Jesse Duke, rarely seen |
| perhaps it’s time to ditch their views forever | | | | without his trademark dungarees? |
| and bring dungarees into our lives. | | | | If the name Barbara Good causes a strange stirring |
| One of the advantages of dungarees’ rises | | | | deep within you, the chances are you’re a man |
| and drops on the fashion barometer is that dedicated | | | | of a certain age who was exposed to the delightful |
| followers ditch them the moment they’re out, | | | | Felicity Kendal in the BBC show The Good Life. |
| and that leaves one big juicy opportunity. Look around | | | | Digging up her garden in her dungarees and wellies set |
| vintage clothing stores and you’ll be able to find | | | | British hearts racing when, technically speaking, it |
| some amazing dungarees from almost every label | | | | shouldn’t have (especially with Daisy Duke on |
| imaginable. You’ll soon notice that not all dungas | | | | the other channel). Fast forward a generation and |
| are the same. There are a multitude of shades, | | | | we’ve got Beatrice Dalle smouldering in |
| different fasteners, straps and pockets, and leg lengths | | | | dungarees as she paints her beach hut in Betty Blue. |
| and widths vary too. | | | | There’s no doubt about it; the humble dungaree |
| Despite the above attempt, there is no real need to | | | | definitely needs a second look. |
| defend dungarees – they are quite capable of | | | | |