What to Wear While Gardening

The best clothing to wear while gardening is the kind that feels comfortable while you are reaching, bending, crouching, and sitting. Since wear and tear and getting dirty come with gardening territory, the clothing you wear needs to hold up to multiple washings and be at least somewhat resistant to stains. Here are some tips for outfitting yourself practically, and comfortably from head to toe.

Hats

• Many gardeners like to wear a hat while gardening. Thanks to advancements in textile manufacturing, the newest garden hats are made from special, high-performance fabrics. Not only do will they shield your head from harmful UV rays, they will do it while repelling ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies. Look for hats made from 100% nylon-a fabric that is both lightweight and resistant to stains. A drawstring cord can be a useful accessory for keeping track of your hat during windy days or when bending over to perform gardening tasks.

• A bandanna (or buff) can serve as a good alternative to a hat. It will help to keep off hair off your face, and you can soak it in water to keep your head cool on hot days. Some gardeners spray insect repellent on their bandanas and then wear them around their necks or tuck them into a back pocket to help keep insects at bay.

Gloves

• Leather gloves will give you the most protection when performing heavy duty tasks like raking and digging. Gloves made from goatskin or pigskin will feel soft on the inside, yet be rugged enough on the outside to protect your hands. Look for styles featuring extra stitching and padding at the fingers and palms to help prevent blisters.

• Lightweight cotton gloves work well for weeding. When coated with a synthetic rubber like Nitrile, they become moisture resistant and strong enough to protect your hands from punctures, while remaining flexible enough for tasks requiring a high level of manual dexterity.

• If you prune a lot of prickly shrubs, consider purchasing a pair of pruning sleeves. Worn by themselves or under your favorite pair of leather gloves, pruning sleeves are designed to protect your wrists and forearms from sharp thorns and branches.

Shirts

• In many gardening climates, temperatures can fluctuate drastically during the course of just one day. Dressing in multiple layers (inner, mid, and outer) will help you regulate your body temperature by allowing you to peel off (or put on) layers as necessary. Start with a non-cotton base layer-like a t-shirt or tank top. Then add mid layer that is looser than the base layer, but not baggy. An outer layer made from a fabric like Gor-tex will provide you with a wind-proof and water-proof shell. Ideally, all of your layers will be made from fabrics that work together to wick moisture and insulate you from the wind and rain.

• Combine form with function. A lightweight utility vest, like those used for fishing, is a great option for carrying around small items like keys, cell phones, lip balm, notebooks, and cameras. Choose a style equipped with lots of pockets, so your hands remain free to do other things. Lightweight breathable fabrics (e.g. mesh panels) will offer plenty of ventilation on warm days.
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• Wear long sleeves when working around scratchy, thorny plants or plants containing poisonous oils.

Pants

• Nylon cargo pants designed to convert into shorts are great for gardening. Wear them as pants in the morning, and then zip the legs off into shorts when the sun comes out. Nylon fabric dries quickly, resists wrinkling, and is resistant to stains. Many nylon fabrics specially designed and engineered for use in the outdoors also feature technology that protects you from UV rays and biting insects.

• Overalls have nice big pockets for holding items like trowels and gardening gloves, but when it's time to shed layers (or take a bathroom break), they are not the most convenient. Carpenter pants or regular jeans work just as well. Heavy-duty canvas trousers made from cotton are comfortable, durable, and long-wearing.

Footwear

• Sturdy work boots with rubber soles are long-lasting, and a good choice when facing a long day on your feet. "Wellington-style" rubber boots are great for working in wet weather, and they now come in lots of fun colors and styles.

• Wool is nature's original performance fabric. Socks made from wool will keep your feet dry and comfortable better than cotton socks. Cotton actually traps moisture against your body, which can cause chaffing and contribute to blisters.

• For quick trips out to the garden, consider buying yourself an inexpensive pair of rubber or plastic clogs. They are durable, comfortable, lightweight and easy to clean. And unlike sneakers, they are easy to slip on, and keep your feet dry when walking through dewy grass.