When I was growing up in the late 40's early 50's, my brother and I wore overalls because they were cheap and we were dirt poor. I think they cost about a $1.25 and Levis cost maybe twice that. I hated them; they were my scarlet letter pointing out that we were poor. I hated them for other reasons also; living in the country, and heeding nature's call, you had to be careful going behind a bush if you didn't watch your gallouses (suspenders). I can recall soiling my suspenders in more ways than one, and having to wear my transgression slung over my shoulder the rest of the day.
I swore that I would never, ever wear another pair of overalls if I didn't have to. Since I got big enough to work and earn enough money to buy my own clothes, I have never, ever worn another pair.
I recall Mom washing them in her old wringer type washing machine, which played **** with the brass buttons, deftly removing they much of the time. I would have to take the "ear", that is the corner of the bib that contained the button, push it through the hook on the end of the suspender, and insert a matchstick through the hole left by the button, effectively replacing the button. Ah, the good old days!
