If you ’ve participate in more than 5 minutes of yard work you ’re in all likelihood mindful that urban farming requires its own wardrobe . drudge up soil ; shovel compost ; cleaning out wimp coops ; harvest home potatoes , zucchinis , artichokes , pomegranates , whatever ! It ’s dirty piece of work . It ’s also hot , cold , stinky , up mellow and down low kind of oeuvre .
Sure , you could wear out your favorite pair of Lucky jeans and a deoxythymidine monophosphate - shirt to do your farm job , but before long , that kit will becometheoutfit : the one you dig out of the bottom of the laundry basket every time you maltreat into the garden because you do n’t want to destruct any more of your “ public ” closet . Or maybe you just give into the habiliment transfarmation and wear your dust- ( and poop- ) embedded rags to the movies , bowling , a date or the in - law ’s house . irrespective , you have , on purpose or not , established your urban farm closet .
When Ireallystarted farming , I found myself in my farm wear more often than any other kind of wear . I also receive many apparel casualty to “ quick ” farm job , resulting in a poorly appointed farm press and only a flitter computer memory of my once “ public ” closet . finally I determine that some press adjustments were in order .
1. Designated Farm Shoes
Shoes were my first fatal accident . Like most of us , I started out wear my pet flip - flops or tennis shoes . Eventually , I get a line that flips - flops are n’t the best when till soil or steering wheel barreling truckloads of steaming compost .
Or when thinning out Charles Edward Berry vines .
Or on muddy day .
julie/Flickr
I grew tired of needing my good tennis shoe for some non - farm activity only to remember that they were in the poop - incrust , thistle - freckled brake shoe pile on the back steps . After doing some Googling , I see several brands of shoes made just for labored horticulture and shite slinging , most of which slip on and off easily , stand firm thistle and can be hosed light in seconds .
My personal farm shoe collection now include a pair each of Sloggers luxate - on skid and puff - on boot . Sloggers are readily available online and at most farm and garden retailers where I exist in Northern California . Other great steel admit Bogs , MuckBoots and Crocs .
news to the wise : All farm - specific shoes be given to get muddy . I recommend a boot tray by the door to keep the indoor dirt diffusion to a minimum .
2. A Hat
The next crucial point added to my farm attire was a hat . Unless you ’re doing your land in belowground burrows you will ineluctably be exposed to many hours of UV shaft of light , which we make out to be an splendid root of vitamin cholecalciferol , as well as premature senescence and peel cancer .
I have several chapeau , but my lid of pick is a well - ventilated , wide - brimmed , blue green , canvass sun hat . I care it because it give good coverage , has a brim that can be bent about for good visibleness and is cute . ( When one wears a perpetual uniform of dirt , cunning matters . ) Most farm and garden retailers trade an array of ultraviolet light protection hats in many shapes and colors . And , of course , there ’s a vast selection of hats usable on Amazon.com and beyond .
3. An Apron
Another asset in my farm wardrobe is the apron . Aprons became a regular part of my apparel when I begin chicken keeping for a big reason : tail . Since including them in my granger armor , however , I ’ve found apron to be valuable far beyond their role as a fecal barrier . A few key component to a skilful forestage include :
I ’d also add that grab - ability is life-sustaining to the successful use of aprons . I keep a solicitation of clean aprons hanging by the door for an easy grab when headed out to the garden .
4. Garden Gloves
I scarce postulate to observe the usefulness of garden boxing glove . Our hands stomach the harsh picture of every farm chore we take part in . I keep pairs of mitt in baskets by the front threshold , in the garden shed and in my low nursery ; and if I ca n’t rule any in those spot I ascertain the pouch of my proscenium .
5. Overalls
It has to be enjoin that at least one good pair of overalls belong in every serious urban farmer ’s closet . I do n’t wear my overalls every day — except maybe during planting time of year — but they ’re my most - treasured musical composition of farm wearable . And ladies , I ’m not talking about the sexy , skinny dungaree , Citizens of Humanity mode statements being sell at Anthropologie and the comparable ( not that I do n’t love Anthropologie , because who does n’t ? ) .
I have one sturdy pair of green overalls that I bought from Duluth Trading Company . They are equipped with enough pocket and tabs to make me a walk toolbox , have cuff snap to keep my cuffs rolled up in the summertime and adjustable strap for my shoulders , and are comfortable .
I iterate : They arecomfortable !
United Way of Columbia-Willamette/Flickr
I can stoop over without recrudesce a dangerous wedgie , breaking the smartphone in my back pocket or revealing what my favored farm worker ( husband ) fondly refers to as my farmer ’s crack . AndI can shovel raft mass of manure without father any bits down my pant . fairly or not , boilers suit are a must for the heavier duties of urban farm life . Some noteworthy overall shaper admit Dickies , Carhartt , Rosie ’s Workwear and Garden Girl USA .
Tricks To Dress Up Your Farm Wear
Let ’s talk fashion for a bit . As farming has traditionally been a male - dominate field , and is , confessedly , a rugged activity , the farm wear that is widely usable tends to provide to masculine charm . This auspicate well for the men who pick out to raise but clearly not so well for the noblewoman famers who sort of like looking nice in clothes . So , for my fellow fashion - forward farming female out there , allow me share a few of the tricks I ’ve learn for keeping my feminine style while still dressing functionally and well on the farm .
Compile A Collection Of Pretty Aprons
These obviously should n’t be made out of tulle and silk — diffused linens and colorful cottons are adorable and are n’t hard to receive . One of my best-loved aprons is in reality a pinafore apron warn by my mother while I was produce up . It ’s patterned in petite patrician flower and has womanly vintage charm . I also love the pinkish flowered proscenium with salvaged lacing , made for me by a good friend . Etsy.com is a wonderful seed for unique aprons and pinny , both vintage and handmade . Or just meander into any local plate goods supplier , and there ’s recoil to be a solicitation of aprons to choose from . It seems that , no matter what you ’re wear underneath , the proscenium adds panache .
Dresses Are Your Friend
My grandmother maintained a tumid garden , an grove and about 30 chickens , all while bust a apparel and apron . I used to think she was just a product of her clock time , and she probably was , but after some experiment I have establish that I actually love doing most of my farm chores in loose - flowing dresses and skirts . Free - flowing is key . Loose - fitting , cotton garb are so comfortable to wear and allow you to move about in the garden without pinching at the articulatio genus , cutting into your waist or peril the dreaded Fannie Farmer ’s go . And , they ’re pretty .
Wear Yoga Pants And Leggings
I ’m all about the combination of comfortableness , function and ravisher . I love wearing my yoga trouser and leggings in the garden because of their flexibleness and resiliency when squatting or bending . Pair a well-to-do tunic , dress or bird with some good stretchy trouser and you have a mythological urban farm ensemble .
Ultimately , every urban farmer develops his or her own wardrobe groove . What are some of your must - haves ?
Cherie Marcel
Susy Morris/Flickr
Cherie Marcel
