What type of garment did Dickies originally produce?

Dickies originally produced bib overalls.

The company’s roots reach back to 1918, when C.N. Williamson and E.E. “Colonel” Dickie operated a vehicle and harness business in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1922, they shifted from equipment for horses to durable clothing for ranchers, farmhands, and other workers across the Southwest. Their first products included denim bib overalls, designed to protect everyday clothing while allowing freedom of movement.

Bib overalls are a one-piece work garment with a bib front, shoulder straps, and attached trousers. They were especially practical for agricultural and industrial labor because they offered storage, coverage, and a sturdy fit. Dickies later expanded into work shirts, trousers, uniforms, and jackets, but the overall remained a foundational product rather than a later fashion invention.

A common mix-up is to name the 874 work pant, since it is Dickies’ best-known modern style. The 874 did not appear until 1967—decades after the company began with bib overalls. The garment also became popular outside the workplace, especially in hip-hop and streetwear during the late 20th century.