Women are in no way one size fits all, and while a woman might well want something that caters to her needs, that isn’t going to include something dumbed-down, ill-fitting, or something girly. But it still has to be functional, and comfortable to get the work done. Few places is this as true when as when trying to find the best overalls for women farmers. Overalls for women have so many differences in materials, warmth, and flexibility that there can be a lot to choose from.
As far as priorities, think durability, usability, and comfort. After all, if you don’t like the way something fits and feels, you’re not going to wear it. And having a quality pair of overalls (or coveralls) can be a godsend in some of the messiest conditions that farmers and ranchers encounter. Some people outside of agriculture would be surprised that a little manure isn’t what we consider messy. Things can definitely be much worse!
So overalls for women farmers need to be made of the right materials to get our daily jobs done, be able to handle grease and other grime we encounter, protect us from hazards, and fit well and be functional — you know, real pockets and not hindering mobility. Thankfully, brands such as Dovetail Workwear, Carhartt, and Berne, among others, come through for us.
Our writers and testers have tried every pair of overalls on this list — and certainly some others that didn’t make the cut. We’ve put them through the paces around livestock and in some brutal winter weather to determine our favorites, and, in our list updated for 2022, we hope that you’ll agree that these are five pairs of the best overalls for women farmers:
Editor’s choice
Dovetail Freshley Overall in Black Stretch Denim
These are not repurposed, boxy men’s overalls. They’re intentionally designed to complement a woman’s frame, without sacrificing the functionality of men’s overalls. There are deep pockets galore. Accessible — and functional — pockets! They have great, slightly stretchy fabric — the overalls move no matter what position the wearer is in.
The Freshley Overall is a straight-leg pant, fitted in the waist and thigh, relaxed through the calf with ample room for boots. It has double-front reinforced thigh and rear cuff panels minimize wear; flexible suspenders mean no restricted movement; locker loop for quick hanging; and inserts for your knee pads. Check out our unboxing video here and our larger review of this product here.
What people have to say:
- “These are really awesome, finding something to fit comfortably and look good can be a huge challenge. (I’m thick from my waist to my thighs) These overalls are well made, super cool, and look great, functional, a bunch of pockets, what more could you ask for?”
- “These overalls are incredible!! They are so comfortable and stretchy, I can bend down and crawl under my table saw without feeling anything tug or pinch. There are so many pockets and straps and I love that the bib pocket has a zipper so everything doesn’t fall out when I go to the bathroom.”
- “These are solid overalls. Material is thick which is good for gardening. Fits well and straps do not come down while I am shoveling. Good material for constant abuse from dirt, kneeling and sitting yet are also comfortable. Will also be good when working in my rose garden as I will be protected from thorn scratches. I chose overalls for gardening so dirt would not easily fall down my pants or bugs get in and bite me.”
Legendary toughness
Carhartt Crawford Double Front Bib Overalls
Of course there was going to be a pair of Carhartts high on this list. The brand is synonymous with unflinching toughness, and in recent years, Carhartt has done a lot to improve its offerings for women. This pair of overalls is 98 percent cotton, 2 percent spandex and comes in black, natural, or two shades of brown — and machine-washable for tackling various shades of dirt. The spandex, especially, allows for great movement.
Standout features include:
- Adjustable suspenders
- Multi-compartment bib pocket with secure zipper closure
- Two large lower-front pockets
- Double knees with cleanout bottoms
What people have to say:
- “Wore these for a week, during kidding season. Got covered in poop and other fluid but worked perfectly.”
- “These are the comfiest anything I’ve ever worn! They fit perfectly and I love all the pockets! I wish I lived somewhere colder so I could wear them every day!”
- “I was looking for some lightweight yet durable overalls for the upcoming season, these are perfect. Surprised how many compliments I received on them as well — stylish yet certainly are made to get the job done.”
Full movement
Rosies Classic Overall
Rosies brand overalls are designed by women, for women. And while some may be swayed by their “girlish good looks,” don’t let that fool you — these overalls are made to take a beating. They are designed to slip on over clothing in seconds, even with work gloves and boots on, and most notably, they are cut for a woman’s proportions, and the design details make them flattering for all shapes.
The construction, the fabric, and the manufacturing are chosen with durability in mind. These overalls are intended for long-term use. They’re 100 percent cotton, and the fabric is durable, stain resistant, and breathable, plus it’s double-stitched for added durability. The cut of the Rosies Classic Overalls is long in the rise and elastic straps allow for maximum movement while working.
What people have to say:
- “Rosie overalls are perfect! They fit well and allow full movement. The zip-off legs are genius! I can wear in comfort all year.”
- “This is my second pair of Rosie’s. Liked the first pair a lot but made the unwise decision to buy different brands that didn’t cost as much. Turns out, that was wasted money — none had the fit and handy pockets of Rosies. I like the inside zipper on bib for phone storage and the knee pad option.”
- “They are the perfect clothing when I tend to my small plant nursery. I am 5’5″, 175lbs and I ordered a size Large. That size fits perfect but I did have to get them hemmed. I love the flattering fit and all the pockets!”
Best in colder weather
Berne Washed Insulated Bib Overalls
When the snow starts flying, these are the overalls you should be reaching for. Berne’s insulated overalls have a 10-ounce cotton duck shell with quilt lined taffeta lining. You’ll probably appreciate the double tool pocket and the oversized chest pockets, as well as the option of four colors. Some other highlights:
- Zippered left hip pocket
- Adjustable elasticized bib straps
- Brass leg zipper with snap closure
- Adjustable leg snaps
- Hammer loop
- Heavy-duty nylon leg hem
What people have to say:
- “I live in New England, and highly recommend purchasing these if you work outside with cold conditions.”
- “These have gotten me through the minus-15 degree days on the farm. I love them! They fit great and move with me very well, and have great pockets.”
- “We had temperatures down to about minus-20 below 0, but barn and livestock work still had to be done, and these kept me comfortable.”
Classic overalls
Dickies Denim Bib Overall
This bib overall was created with ease of movement in mind and is made from a lighter, 100 percent cotton indigo denim. They boast a relaxed fit and straight-leg traditional carpenter styling. They also fit over boots with ease and have a roomy bib pocket, a hammer loop and multiple tool pockets on both legs, and ScuffGard to prevent wear and tear.
What people have to say:
- “There’s one feature that’s on them I wasn’t expecting — on the back of each leg-cuff, the fabric is doubled and thicker. Having stepped on the back of my pantlegs often, this is a really nice detail.”
- “Having all the pockets is very handy, especially when you’re up on a ladder and need something handy right away.”
- “The denim is medium weight, which makes them useful for most of the seasons. They appear to be well constructed and I think they will hold up over time.”
How we made our picks?
The most important thing in choosing the best overalls for women is functionality. And functionality can mean different things to different people. For some, it might be lots of pockets to access tools or other gear; for others, it might be thickness and durability of the fabric; while certain people may be focused on comfort through breathability and padding. The best choice is highly situational.
Our preferences tend to go toward durability, because we want a pair of women’s overalls that’ll make it season after season. But we also have to be able to move, because durability should not automatically equate to stiffness. Good overalls allow for good movement, because we don’t want our clothing to hinder our tasks.
Editor’s recommendations
- Dovetail Workwear review: Women’s clothing like never before
- 5 great pairs of work pants for women
- Review: Ariat launches industrial women’s workwear
Updates: This article was updated with new imagery and expanded descriptions, along with the addition of complementary links, on June 22, 2021, and November 29, 2022.
