Dungarees | Boilersuit | Jumpsuit
If you have ever typed “are dungarees and overalls the same thing” into Google at 11pm, with one hand on a sleeping child and the other trying to add the right size to basket, welcome. You are absolutely not alone.
These names get thrown around like they mean the exact same thing, and sometimes shops do not help. One brand calls it a jumpsuit, another calls it a boilersuit, and your mum calls it “that lovely little all in one thing” (which, to be fair, is quite accurate).
So this is my attempt to make it simple. Not in a fashion degree kind of way. In a real parent kind of way. The kind where you want to know: can they crawl in it, can they go to nursery in it, will it survive lunch, and will I regret buying it the second they do a full body mud dive.
Also, a quick note on “overalls”. In UK English, lots of people use “overalls” as a catch all word. Properly speaking, overalls are usually protective workwear that goes over your clothes, often with sleeves, sometimes called coveralls too. (In American English, “overalls” is what we often call dungarees.) So yes, it is a bit of a word soup.
Right, tea in hand. Let’s do this.
Dungarees
Dungarees are the classic. If you picture a toddler in an all in one outfit, with a little bib front and straps over the shoulders, that is probably dungarees.
The main features:
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Sleeveless
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A bib front
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Adjustable straps that fasten at the front
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Usually designed to layer over a top (think t-shirt, long sleeve top, vest, whatever the weather is doing that day)
They are basically the parenting equivalent of a good backpack. Practical, reliable, and they somehow look cute even when the child wearing them has a yoghurt moustache.
Our Aneby dungarees have two poppers on each strap so you can adjust where they sit and get more wear out of them. This is one of those small details that feels boring until your child suddenly shoots up overnight and you are trying to convince yourself their clothes still fit because you really like them.
Dungarees are also a proper timeless design. The word “dungaree” goes back to a hard wearing fabric from 17th century India (often linked to the Dongri area near Mumbai), and it became associated with tough, practical clothing. Which makes sense, because that is exactly what you want for children too.
On a personal note, dungarees were one of the first garments I made for Aneby. My very first Instagram post was me asking friends and family to pick their favourite design, and a surprising number of people had strong opinions about pocket placement. (It turns out pockets are a very emotional topic when you are sleep deprived and trying to build a brand.) If you want to see that little throwback moment, it’s here
The big selling point, for me, is year round wear. In summer, they can go over a vest or a short sleeve top. In winter, pop them over a long sleeve top and add socks that do not immediately vanish in the washing machine. They work for nursery, the park, the supermarket, and those slightly chaotic days where you have to be in three places at once.
And because we are not here to pretend fashion does not matter, they also look adorable. My youngest, Freya, wears hers regularly to nursery, and it always feels like a small win when an outfit is both cute and “you can actually move your legs in it”.
Added bonus: we also make dungaree shorts and dungaree dresses, which are so handy in summer. Easy to throw on, still practical, and they look lovely on boys and girls.
Boilersuits
If dungarees are the layered, sleeveless classic, a boilersuit is more like the “done in one” outfit.
Main features:
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Long sleeves
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Long legs
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Often a collar
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A front opening, usually a placket or a zip
It is the kind of outfit that looks like you have really made an effort, even if you just grabbed it off the drying rack because everything else is in the wash. (No judgement. This is my life too.)
Traditionally, boilersuits are workwear. They are basically a one piece garment designed to protect your clothes while you get on with messy jobs, which is also a fairly good description of parenting.
Our Aneby boilersuits have been, by far, our most successful product to date. We have shipped them all around the world, including Australia, the USA and Canada. That still makes me smile, because I am sat here thinking about snack crumbs in the car seats, and somewhere on the other side of the world a child is wearing an Aneby boilersuit. Wild.
Boilersuits are such a good mix of cute and smart. They look lovely in photos, they can work for more formal events (hello, family parties where someone will definitely say “aren’t they growing!”), and they still give kids loads of room to move. That space matters. If a child cannot climb, run, squat, and launch themselves at a muddy puddle, they will either complain or find a way to make the outfit complain for them.
One thing to know: boilersuits are often made in heavier fabrics. In clothing terms, you might see “GSM” mentioned, which is basically a way of describing fabric weight. Heavier tends to mean warmer and more structured, which is why boilersuits often feel more like an autumn, winter, and spring garment rather than peak summer. If you have a child who runs hot, you will probably reach for a lighter option when the weather is doing that sticky UK thing.
Style wise, they look equally good on boys and girls. It is one of my favourite things about them. They are simple, practical, and still feel special.
Jumpsuits
Now we get into the category that causes the most confusion, because “jumpsuit” gets used for a lot of things.
Main features:
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Long legs
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Sleeve length can vary a lot (long sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless)
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Neck shapes and details can vary too
A jumpsuit is similar to a boilersuit in that it is usually one piece and long legged, but it tends to be more versatile in style. Boilersuits often lean workwear and structured. Jumpsuits can lean softer, floatier, dressier, or more playful depending on the cut.
And yes, jumpsuits are often designed with girls in mind. Not always, but often. You will see more variety in sleeve shapes, necklines, and overall “dressy” feel. That does not mean boys cannot wear them, it is just how the clothing world tends to label things.
In our house, Darcey, my eldest, basically lives in her jumpsuit all year round. She finds it super comfortable, and she still feels “girly” in it, in the same way she does when she wears a dress. Which I completely get. Some kids want that feeling of being dressed up, without the fuss of something that rides up, twists, or gets in the way when they are trying to play.
For parents, jumpsuits can be a great option if you want:
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An outfit that looks a bit more “occasion”
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Something that still feels comfy and practical
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A one piece that works across different seasons depending on sleeve length
If you are shopping and you are unsure whether you are looking at a boilersuit or a jumpsuit, ask yourself this: does it look like practical workwear, with a collar and a more structured front opening? That leans boilersuit. Does it look like a softer, more style led one piece with different sleeve options? That often leans jumpsuit.
Summary
If you’re purchasing for a boy, I would focus on the standard dungaree or boilersuit. Both are super trendy, and you’ll see one of our models Freddie plastered all over our website wearing his boilersuit, looking super handsome. There really is something about a little boy in a cute all in one outfit.
If you’re purchasing for a girl, there is certainly more variety. You can pick up our dungaree shorts which we think look adorable and are super practical for active girlies, or you can go for a more stylish look with a short or sleeveless jumpsuit, which would look great at the park or if you’re popping out somewhere nice for a meal.
And if you’re not against buying second hand, also check out Vinted or local charity shops to see if you can find any bargains. We are huge supporters of circular fashion and cutting down on waste, and there are always bargains to be found if you have a little patience and do not mind scrolling while you wait for the kettle to boil.
If you remember nothing else, remember this:
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Dungarees: sleeveless, straps, layering hero
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Boilersuits: long sleeve, long leg, workwear vibes, often warmer fabric
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Jumpsuits: long leg, sleeves can vary, more style options, often more “feminine”
Now go forth and shop with confidence. Or at least shop with slightly fewer tabs open.
