Dungarees
ca. 1984 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Dungarees, known in some countries as overalls, or bib overalls, are trousers with a chest panel (bib) and shoulder straps. Originally working clothes for men and boys, they have been particularly popular for younger children from about 1920 onward. The word dungaree derives from a coarse calico fabric of the same name, while 'overall' is literally descriptive of a protective garment worn over other clothes.
OshKosh B'Gosh, Inc., of Wisconsin, USA, the firm which produced this pair of dingarees, was originally known as Grove Manufacturing Company, and was founded in 1895 as makers of such garments for workers. The 'OshKosh B'Gosh' label was in use as early as 1911.
The company had always made child-sized versions of its overalls, but apparently did not take its children's clothing range seriously until the late 1960s, and had even thought of discontinuing it. Inclusion of the garments in a mail-order catalogue led to a huge demand, and the garments began to be stocked by major US department stores such as Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue. The company realised that childrenswear was a growing market and that the buying of workwear was declining, so diversified into nightclothes, shoes, outerwear and other garments for children, and devoted more of its resources to producing these ranges.
OshKosh B'Gosh, Inc., of Wisconsin, USA, the firm which produced this pair of dingarees, was originally known as Grove Manufacturing Company, and was founded in 1895 as makers of such garments for workers. The 'OshKosh B'Gosh' label was in use as early as 1911.
The company had always made child-sized versions of its overalls, but apparently did not take its children's clothing range seriously until the late 1960s, and had even thought of discontinuing it. Inclusion of the garments in a mail-order catalogue led to a huge demand, and the garments began to be stocked by major US department stores such as Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue. The company realised that childrenswear was a growing market and that the buying of workwear was declining, so diversified into nightclothes, shoes, outerwear and other garments for children, and devoted more of its resources to producing these ranges.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cotton with metal fastenings |
| Brief description | Child's dungarees, pink and white cotton; OshKosh brand made in the USA, about 1984 |
| Physical description | Pink and white striped cotton dungarees for a young child. The dungarees have a bib front and back with adjustable self fabric shoulder straps, shaped front waistband, and straight legs, with a patch pocket in the centre of the front bib, and inset pockets at the hips. The garment fastens with metal buttons and stitched buttonholes at the waist sides, press studs down the inside of the legs, and metal buttons and metal clips at the front end of the shoulder straps. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Mass produced |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'OSHKOSH / B'GOSH / THE GENUINE ARTICLE' (woven on label, moulded on buttons) |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by Kristina Byler Clark |
| Object history | Given by Kristina Byler Clark (RF 92/709). On entry the condition was noted as 'very good.' |
| Summary | Dungarees, known in some countries as overalls, or bib overalls, are trousers with a chest panel (bib) and shoulder straps. Originally working clothes for men and boys, they have been particularly popular for younger children from about 1920 onward. The word dungaree derives from a coarse calico fabric of the same name, while 'overall' is literally descriptive of a protective garment worn over other clothes. OshKosh B'Gosh, Inc., of Wisconsin, USA, the firm which produced this pair of dingarees, was originally known as Grove Manufacturing Company, and was founded in 1895 as makers of such garments for workers. The 'OshKosh B'Gosh' label was in use as early as 1911. The company had always made child-sized versions of its overalls, but apparently did not take its children's clothing range seriously until the late 1960s, and had even thought of discontinuing it. Inclusion of the garments in a mail-order catalogue led to a huge demand, and the garments began to be stocked by major US department stores such as Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue. The company realised that childrenswear was a growing market and that the buying of workwear was declining, so diversified into nightclothes, shoes, outerwear and other garments for children, and devoted more of its resources to producing these ranges. |
| Bibliographic reference | See Osh Kosh Catalogue for Spring/Summer 1984 in V&A MoC archives (entry for Infant's Traditional Bib Overalls) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | MISC.714-1992 |
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| Record created | July 1, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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