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LOGAN — What started as a way for two Utah State University sophomores to cope with a wardrobe deficit is now becoming a uniting force around the world.
Parker Norton and Jaxon Hunt, cousins from Utah County, returned from their church missions without a lot of clothes for college at Utah State University. Norton had purchased jeans and a pair of overalls, and Hunt already had a pair. They weren't super excited about the bibs and decided to create strength in numbers by wearing them the same day each week — Wednesday.
When they saw others wearing overalls, the duo would ask the matching peers if they knew about "Overall Wednesday." Obviously, the answer was always "no," but Norton and Hunt started taking photos of people in overalls for their Instagram account. The account was set up in the fall of 2022 and picked up 100 followers a week for the first four weeks. Online growth has slowed, but it's still building steadily. They're closing in on 1,000 fans now.
Custom T-shirts followed, because as Jaxon explained, "Once you have a T-shirt with your logo on it, it's official." They designed the applique on a Google app, using a mouse to draw it and their parents ponied up the investment capital — which they've earned back with about 65 shirt sales so far.
The cousins and friends started an alternative-pop band, but didn't want to be stuck wearing overalls for every gig, so the band is called simply "Wednesday." Norton and Hunt said they want Overall Wednesday and the band to build their fame independent of each other.
Overall Wednesday is growing on the USU campus. Hunt said when students pass each other wearing overalls, there's a wave and a mutual sentiment of: "We're both wearing overalls and it is awesome."
Up until now, Norton said, overalls have just been agricultural workwear and Overall Wednesday is making it so anyone can wear them. He adds that the fashion choice helps break down the walls of what group you're in: skaters, preppies, whatever, you can have something in common by choice that is not a school uniform, however …
Norton recently contacted Utah State's campus store and requested it to carry overalls. He said that the store replied via email saying they will stock overalls in school colors starting fall 2023. The group has a goal of setting a Guinness World Record for most people wearing overalls at one time. (They were also part of the university's failed attempt at a record for most people dunking cookies in milk, and haven't gotten over it).
Speaking of cookies ...
How long should you dip an Oreo in milk? USU scientists find out
Researchers at Utah State University are using science to find the ideal dipping time for an Oreo cookie in milk.Overall Wednesday's motto: "Uniting the nation through overalls one Wednesday at a time," might need an update. The group is getting overalled with Instagram followers from Spain, Norway and Germany — including a guy who's really pushing it in Paris, France. Yes, even the fashion capital of the world looks a little more agricultural on Wednesdays, now.
