What to Wear When Gardening and Stay Fashionable

Gardening can be an enjoyable activity for you or the entire family. Imagine growing and taking care of your favorite crops and then serving them on your dinner table. That is a very rewarding and stress-relieving activity. However, what you wear can greatly affect your overall gardening experience. That is why it is important that you carefully consider and choose what you to wear when gardening.

More...

#1 - Hat

The kind of hat that is suitable to wear will depend on when you are going out of the garden. A rimmed straw hat is perfect for steamy hot summer days while a regular baseball cap will work fine on cooler weather. If you want to be more fashionable, you could also use one of those colorful and oversized hats. The idea is to wear something useful and stylish. When choosing a hat, choose something that is stain resistant and lightweight. Some gardeners also wear a bandana under the hat to help in absorbing the heat. This is especially useful in the hot summer months.

#2 - Clothes

When you are out there under the sun, you should wear a shirt that breathes. A simple cotton t-shirt is great for gardening. You could also match this with a washable denim apron that has pockets for your pruners and other gardening tools and supplies. If the sun is too hot, wearing an arm protection sleeve also makes a big difference if you are wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt. Alternatively, you could just wear a shirt with long sleeves. However, be sure that the sleeves are loose enough to allow you to freely move.

Loose baggy trousers best match your shirt. Avoid wearing shorts, unless you want to keep part of your legs tanned afterwards. Loose trousers let you move freely and easily. It would be a bonus if the trousers have plenty of pockets where you can store your necessities such as a mobile phone with camera if you are one of those who frequently take pictures of their garden and brag about it to their friends.

As mentioned earlier, plenty of pockets are also advisable. You can use such pockets to store your camera or mobile phone as well as other gardening tools. Stay away from tight elastics and belts, especially those that have metal buckles.

Tip: Flies and mosquitoes prefer dark colored clothes. Wear something light to avoid getting ​mobbed.

#3 - Gloves

To wear or not to wear. Some people are not comfortable wearing gloves when gardening because they like to have a direct connection with their plants. That is okay if it is what you are used to. But generally, wearing gloves will depend on the task you’ll be doing. For instance, if you are trimming thorny bushes, the gloves offer the best protection. But if you are mulching or tilling the soil, wearing gloves may not be necessary.

There are two types of gloves for gardening. One has a thick canvass and is more suitable for pruning and working with roses and other plants with thorns. The other type is the tight-fitted, sturdy and elastic gloves which are more useful when you are mixing soil and weeding grasses.

#4 - Footwear

If you will be working for a few hours in the garden, you should wear footwear that is comfortable and lightweight. A closed pair of shoes or boots is the best choice compared with flip flops and other open footwear. You’ll need to protect your feet from any possible accident and the best way to do that is to wear protective shoes or boots. The best pair of shoes or boots is flexible and can provide good support when you sit down or bend.

Tip: Avoid wearing shoes with laces as they can get tangled on bushes, hedges and gardening equipment and could lead to serious accidents.

Optional, When Needed

It is important to note that even if you are wearing the appropriate head, body and footwear, you won’t be able to get 100% protection. There is still that risk of getting stung or bitten by insects or burnt by prolonged exposure under the sun. That is why, you’ll also need to consider these two items:

#1 - Sunscreen

According to WebMD, exposure to the sun causes benign tumors, coarse wrinkles, freckles, discoloration of the skin and other serious conditions. That is why sunscreen is necessary at all times.

If your garden has no sheds and you’ll be exposed to the heat of the sun the entire time, it is best to apply sunscreen protection. Apply a sunscreen that has a high sun protection factor (of at least 15) on the parts of your body that will be exposed to the sun. Make sure to put some on your back and neck and even on your arms if they will also be exposed. Follow the instruction on the label when to reapply for extended hours of protection.

Tip: Choose a sunscreen that is fragrance-free to avoid attracting bugs and bees.

#2 - Insect Repellant

If your garden is known to attract mosquitoes and other bugs, applying insect repellant could make a big difference in your gardening experience. This will help you avoid getting stung by mosquitoes and being bothered by bugs.

Benefits of Wearing Proper Clothes when Gardening:

  • check
    Keeps you comfortable while doing gardening tasks.
  • check
    Allows you to freely and easily sit, stand and bend which are normal when gardening.
  • check
    Keeps you safe from the bad effects of direct exposure to sun.
  • check
    Repels insects away.
  • check
    Optimizes your performance in the garden.

Conclution

If you are still wondering what to wear in the garden, our tips above should help you make the right choice. Many people consider gardening as a task while others make it their hobby. And just like any other activity, you need to wear appropriate clothing when gardening, and doing this offers a number of benefits.

References:

Did you find this article helpful? If you do please feel free to share it with your friends. Don’t forget to also share with us your thoughts through our comment box below.

Ella Wilson
 

Hi! This is Ella Wilson, the founder of tinyplantation.com. Being a devotee with plants and gardens, you will find numerous things with me. I have developed enough interest regarding plants that these things do not bore me anymore; instead this has become my passion.