This Is What Happened When 7 Women Tried On 1 Pair of Overalls
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The overalls in question? A Madewell skinny style in fresh Adrian wash (similar available here), complete with lived-in distress. The subjects who tried them on for size? Seven women with completely different body shapes.
At first glance, we loved the look of the denim from its fit to its length. These overalls have a straight, formfitting leg; have just enough slouch; and can be rolled to show off a strappy heel or pulled down over a pair of booties. Needless to say, we were all eager to make them work and style them so we were comfortable.
But could a handful of different women, with body types that run the gamut from curvy to super petite, all look good and, most importantly, feel good in the same jeans? Read on to see how seven of us worked the overalls, and find out what we thought about them. Spoiler alert: we just might have found the most flattering pair out there.
The overalls we tried on are the Madewell Skinny Overalls in Adrian wash, which are no longer available, though a similar iteration is here. These are stretchy yet structured, and they've been hand-distressed. Here's how they appear on the Madewell model.
Athletic
- Overalls Tester: Sarah Wasilak
Typical Size: Small/26
Madewell Overalls Size: Extra Small
- How They Fit: The Madewell overalls have just enough stretch and slouch for me. At the same time, they don't loosen up with wear, and they're the perfect length for me to roll them up, being that I'm short.
How I Feel: Since I'm 5'1", I'm definitely still petite, and I've got a small waist. But I'm also an avid runner, and my legs are toned rather than super slim. I'm always looking for denim that will elongate my body, flatter my booty, and highlight my curves. These overalls definitely do the job.
Pear-Shaped
- Overalls Tester: Caitlin Hacker
Typical Size: Medium/28
Madewell Overalls Size: Small
- How They Fit: They fit perfectly and stretch just a little bit to hug my curves. They aren't stifling, so I am able to move freely and comfortably without being self-conscious about anything.
How I Feel: I love how comfortable I feel in them! I've been looking for a good pair of overalls for over a year and have had no luck until this pair. As an adult, you sometimes forget that you can make a trend from your childhood still work, and these overalls definitely prove that. There are so many ways to style these — both casual and dressy — so they will definitely be a staple in my wardrobe this season.
Apple-Shaped
- Overalls Tester: Emelie Burnette
Typical Size: Large/29
Madewell Overalls Size: Large
- How They Fit: I was happy that these overalls didn't bunch anywhere. They gave me a more relaxed shape around my sides, rather than clinging in weird places and drawing attention to my hips, as a lot of boyfriend-fit pants do on me.
How I Feel: I liked the overalls because they were extremely comfortable. I'd feel just as comfortable tossing a formfitting shirt under there on a brave day as I would a slouchy sweater to run errands. They'd also work with any of my shoes! Always a plus.
Petite
- Overalls Tester: Samantha Sutton
Typical Size: Extra Small/24
Madewell Overalls Size: Extra Small
- How They Fit: They were a little loose — kind of like my favorite pair of boyfriend jeans — which is great because I hate clothes that are binding. Being short, I loved the adjustable straps, which helped me alter where they fell on me.
How I Feel: Comfy! It's like wearing pajamas but a lot more appropriate for social settings. Pairing them with heels and a leather jacket also made me feel a lot more confident, like I was channeling my favorite bloggers or celebrities. Overalls are great in that way: you can dress them up or dress them down — they're just so versatile!
Apple-Shaped
- Overalls Tester: Alessia Santoro
Typical Size: Large/30
Madewell Overalls Size: Large
- How They Fit: The overalls fit me well, and they were just the right length instead of being too short, which is a constant issue for me when I buy jeans.
How I Feel: As someone who figured overalls would never look good on my body type, I was pleasantly surprised by this pair, as they were extremely comfortable. This is a pair of overalls that I could see myself buying — and probably will, because I mean, I think I worked them — and more importantly, that I could recommend to any of my friends (who come in all shapes and sizes) with confidence that they would all find them flattering.
Thin With Less Curves
- Overalls Tester: Marina Liao
Typical Size: Small/26
Madewell Overalls Size: Extra Small
- How They Fit: The denim felt sturdy and fit me well, instead of hanging loosely on my body, which is important to me, since I've got less curves.
How I Feel: My first time trying on overalls was a success! I paired them with a fuzzy blue sweater to add texture and make the look more interesting. Since my body type is naturally stick straight, the thicker sweater actually made me look fuller. And for anyone who is worried about feeling like a kid in overalls, as I did, just cuff the legs and throw on a pair of minimalist beige heels to add extra oomph.
Curvy With a Booty
- Overalls Tester: Jessica Cruel
Typical Size: Medium/28
Madewell Overalls Size: Medium
- How They Fit: Although I could have fit into a size small — and tried them on too! — I felt like the medium pair flattered my booty. The bagginess gave my cheeks just enough room without creating that awkward crotch pull.
How I Feel: Overalls could be the perfect solution for women with big butts. While most jeans that fit my thighs and derriere are too big for my waist, the overall straps remedy that problem. Also, being that I'm on the short side, they are easy to roll up to show a little ankle.
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