Most pants with shoulder straps are called overalls (often sold as dungarees), while padded ski pairs with straps are called salopettes.
Pants with straps get labeled in different ways across stores and regions. The strap layout tells you the right name fast, so searching gets smoother.
Quick Id Check Before You Name Them
Before you pick a name, check where the straps go and what they’re doing. Strap placement splits the category into clear groups.
- Over-the-shoulder straps: straps run up from the waist or bib and cross the shoulders. This points to overalls, dungarees, bib overalls, salopettes, or coveralls.
- Under-the-foot straps: an elastic loop runs under the shoe to hold the hem down. This points to stirrup pants.
- Clip-on straps on the leg: straps sit on the thigh, knee, or calf as styling or utility details. This points to fashion strap pants.
| Fast Visual Clue | Common Name | Best Search Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| Chest bib + two shoulder straps | Overalls / Bib overalls | denim bib overalls |
| Same shape, sold with a UK-style label | Dungarees | women’s dungarees |
| Padded, snow-ready, often with a higher waist | Salopettes | ski salopettes |
| One-piece with long sleeves and legs | Coveralls | work coveralls |
| Trousers with built-in shoulder straps, no chest bib | Suspender pants | high-waist suspender pants |
| Hem held down by loops under the foot | Stirrup pants | black stirrup leggings |
| Straps wrap a thigh or knee as a design detail | Strap cargo pants | techwear strap pants |
| Skirt front with straps, not trousers | Pinafore dress | pinafore dress with straps |
What Are Those Pants With Straps Called? The Main Names
If your pair has straps that go over the shoulders, you’re almost always in “overalls” territory. The finer naming depends on the bib, the padding, and the region the label comes from.
Overalls And Bib Overalls
In US English, “overalls” often means trousers with a chest bib and two shoulder straps. The bib panel is the giveaway.
“Bib overalls” is just a clearer way to say the same thing, used when a store wants to separate them from other styles that also get called overalls. If you want a plain definition you can point to, Merriam-Webster describes overalls as trousers with a bib and shoulder straps on its overall definition page.
Dungarees
Many shops use “dungarees” as a synonym for overalls, especially in the UK, India, and on global fashion sites. In some US use, the word can point to denim jeans or denim fabric, so “overalls” is often clearer in conversation.
Salopettes
Salopettes are the ski-ready sibling of overalls. You’ll see padding, weatherproof fabric, and higher coverage at the waist or chest. The straps still run over the shoulders, yet the build is aimed at snow and long days outside.
Cambridge Dictionary defines salopettes as padded trousers with straps over the shoulders worn when skiing on its salopettes entry. If you’re shopping winter gear, using “salopettes” as your search term can filter out denim pairs fast.
Suspender Pants
Suspender pants are trousers with shoulder straps attached at the waist, often with buttons or clips. The big difference is the missing chest bib. The straps act like suspenders, yet they’re sewn to the garment, so you don’t add a separate accessory.
This term shows up in fashion listings for tailored high-waist pants. You may see pleats, wide legs, and button-on straps you can remove when you want a clean trouser look.
Stirrup Pants
Stirrup pants aren’t “pants with shoulder straps.” They’re pants with foot straps. The stirrup is a loop that runs under the arch of your foot, pulling the hem down so the leg stays sleek inside boots.
You’ll see them as leggings, ski base layers, dancewear, and slim trousers. If the straps are down by the ankle, “stirrup” is the word you want.
Coveralls
Coveralls are a one-piece garment, not just pants. Think sleeves, a full torso, then legs, often with a front zipper. People mix them up with overalls because both are workwear staples, yet coveralls don’t need shoulder straps since the top and bottom are one unit.
Pants With Straps Called Overalls, Salopettes, And More
Even when you’ve got the right category name, small design cues help you describe the exact style you mean. These details are also the fastest way to pick a pair that feels good when you move.
Bib Shape And Height
A tall bib gives more chest coverage and more room for a front pocket. A lower bib feels lighter and can look more fashion-forward. On winter salopettes, the “bib” might rise high and blend into a shell panel that blocks snow.
Back Style
Many overalls have a high back panel that meets the straps. Some have a low back with straps that cross in an X. Others use an H-back with a center connector. If straps slip off your shoulders, an X-back often stays put better.
Strap Hardware
Workwear pairs often use metal buckles that adjust fast. Ski salopettes often use quick-release buckles so layers come off without a struggle.
Fit Steps That Save You A Return
A fast try-on can tell you if the straps will feel good past the mirror selfie.
- Check torso length. Put the straps on, sit down, then stand. If the crotch pulls or the bib tugs up, the torso run is short.
- Set the straps. The bib should lie flat against your chest without folding or gaping.
- Move. Walk and lift a knee. If the seat feels tight, size up or pick a roomier cut.
- Check the rise. Suspender pants sit higher at the waist than many overalls, so make sure the waistband lands where you want it.
Styling Ideas That Don’t Feel Like A Costume
Keep one part simple and let the straps be the detail.
- Classic workwear: dark denim overalls, a plain tee, and sturdy shoes.
- Easy weekend: looser dungarees, a fitted long-sleeve top, and sneakers.
- Clean and tailored: high-waist suspender pants with a tucked shirt and minimal accessories.
- Cold-day layers: salopettes over a base layer, then a jacket that ends at the hip so straps don’t bunch.
| When You’ll Wear Them | Best Strap Style | Fast Fit Check |
|---|---|---|
| DIY, painting, garage tasks | Canvas or denim overalls | Room at knees and seat |
| Day out in town | Relaxed overalls or dungarees | Bib lies flat |
| Cold weather travel | Insulated salopettes | Boot cuff clears snow |
| Dressier outfit | Tailored suspender pants | Straps sit centered |
| Boot-focused look | Stirrup pants | Foot loop feels smooth |
| Work uniform | Zip-front coveralls | Shoulders allow reach |
| Streetwear styling | Strap cargo pants | Leg straps don’t chafe |
Care And Wash Notes By Fabric
Close buckles and zippers before washing so hardware doesn’t snag fabric.
- Denim: wash inside out in cold water. Air dry if you can to limit shrinkage.
- Canvas or duck: brush off grit first, then wash as needed. Let it dry fully before storage.
- Insulated ski fabric: follow the care label and keep heat low so seam tape stays in place.
If your overalls or suspender pants have removable straps, unbutton them and wash the straps in a mesh laundry bag. Buckles and clips can scrape other clothes, so keeping hardware contained saves snags.
After washing, straighten the straps while the fabric is still damp. This keeps the straps from drying with a twist, and it helps the bib sit flatter when you wear the pair again.
For salopettes, pay attention to the outer finish. When water stops beading on the surface, many brands suggest a wash-in or spray-on water repellent, then a low-heat tumble or warm iron if the care label allows it. It’s a small step that can keep snow from soaking through on a long day.
Stretch knits: skip fabric softener if the label warns against it. Softener can coat stretch fibers and dull the snap-back feel.
Common Mix-Ups And How To Avoid Them
A few styles sit close to “pants with straps,” yet the names point to different garments.
People also mix up suspenders with suspender pants. Suspenders are a separate accessory that clips to a waistband. Suspender pants are made with the straps attached. If you can unclip the straps and wear the trousers plain, search “removable suspender pants” to narrow results in online shops.
- Jumpsuit: one-piece with a top and trousers in one garment. It may have straps, yet it usually fits like a single outfit, not trousers you layer under.
- Pinafore dress: straps plus a skirt bottom, not trousers. If it has a skirt-like shape, search “pinafore dress” instead of overalls.
- Suspender pants vs overalls: suspender pants skip the chest bib. If you see a flat waistband and no bib panel, that’s your cue.
- Harness details: leg straps that don’t hold the pants up are styling straps. Search “strap cargo pants” or “techwear strap pants,” not “overalls.”
Store Checklist For Naming Strap Pants
If you’re in a shop aisle asking “what are those pants with straps called?”, run this checklist.
- Straps over shoulders? Start with “overalls.”
- Chest bib present? Say “bib overalls.” No bib? Try “suspender pants.”
- Padded and snow-ready? Say “salopettes.”
- Foot loops under shoes? Say “stirrup pants.”
- One-piece with sleeves? Say “coveralls.”
Still stuck? Ask yourself this: are the straps holding the garment up, or are they just decorative? That one detail usually lands you on the right name fast, and it helps you search the right listings the first time.
And if you’ve been typing “what are those pants with straps called?” into search bars, you can now swap in the exact term that matches the strap layout and get cleaner results.