Farmer Fashion Hits City Streets

What does the American farmer have in common with Giorgio Armani and Donna Karan? All are sporting overalls this season, the looser and more comfortable the better.

The authentic styles come in sturdy denim and duck. For both men and women, the trendy alternatives are made in fashionable fabrics like linen and homespun cotton.

This is a style that’s easily copied for less. Look in department stores and catalogs. I found the snappy set of overalls on the Dress For Less model in the International Male catalog.

Your local hardware or feed store, Army-Navy supply store or thrift shop might very well carry the real McCoy at a real savings.

Designer version (left)

Blue linen overalls by Armani Jeans, $188

Navy linen sweater by Armani Jeans, $88

Brown leather sandals by Cole Haan, $125

Total: $401

Designer Version (middle)

Green linen overalls by DKNY Jeans, $235

Ivory linen sweater by Calvin Klein, $145

Brown leather sandals by Gucci, $215

Total: $595

Dress For Less version

Cotton overalls by P.J. Henry from International Male catalog, $58

Tan henley sweater by Claiborne at major department stores, $69.50

Brown leather sandals by Bass at shoe and department stores, $29.99

Total: $157.49

MEMO: Dress For Less runs weekly on Choices. All bargains featured in this column are available in book form. Send $9.95 to Dress For Less, 177 Sound Beach Ave., Suite 6, Old Greenwich, CT 06870. For information about the catalogs mentioned here send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the same address.