Changing for dirty work - YouLookFab Forum

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Changing for dirty work

Sally

Veteran

Some of you may have seen my recent posts with my long skirts/dresses which I have taken to wearing lately. It has been a nice shift from my jeans of recent years. My main dilemma is how do you dress professionally but still do dirty work. I am in charge of the school garden and am going to do some horticultural work with my students next year. Would it be a good idea to take some bike pants and pop them on for those classes or when I'm going into the garden? Or would I be best to get a big coverall /overall and pop it on top of my clothes?

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Synne

Veteran

Red overalls, like that Netflix show! Joking aside, overalls would be perfect for this actually.

Sally

Veteran

oooh I looked up the red overall reference....thats creepy especially with the masks. Mind you it would keep the sun off my face

lozz_oz

Veteran

What about some overalls or dungarees? Or an oversized apron? Gumboots/Wellingtons?

Sally

Veteran

thanks lozz_oz I'm thinking of gardening overalls. I don't really want to spend much or otherwise I might charge to department. Gumboots are already provided but I might get my own pair.

Staysfit

Veteran

DD wears dresses and skirts all the time even when climbing, hiking or gardening, etc. She wears leggings underneath. I vote for that! I do not think coveralls offer enough protection from insects like ticks if you are working in a garden………

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Won’t you get really hot in a overall? I would wonder about having some old T-shirts and shorts at work along with a big sun hat?

Sal

Veteran

I would get some overalls or dungarees or even just old jeans that I would leave at school for this type of work. Sometimes I garden in just my normal clothes and other times I get changed into my old clothes that I have for this type of work.

rachylou

Veteran

Will you being doing all-day things or spending an hour or so here and there? If a few hours here and there… I’d maybe consider a smock…

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Camping dresses! There are tons available online. And then, like Staysfit suggested, leggings if you need them. And an apron as Rachylou suggests, with big pockets, to wipe your hands on.

But what kind of horticultural work will you be doing, and with whom? My son was in a gardening club at school for a while. They weeded, mulched, planted—real stuff, but I hardly noticed dirt on his clothes. I suspect the teacher leading the group of 15-16 year old boys had even less dirt on his clothing. But if you’re guiding little ones, then you’re likely to be the one doing the hardest parts. Is your chief requirement clothes that can get dirty, or just stuff you can move in comfortably?

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'm not sure where you live, but I've been interested by the Wayforger's line from Duluth Trading Co. They create "work clothes" for women that are interesting and good quality. I'd also second the apron idea (Japanese style apron perhaps?).

https://www.duluthtrading.com/.....ature=wm13

Anonymous

I like to wear my faux OTF joggers if I want to be respectable looking but not afraid to get dirty. I've worn them to work, but also for a big moving job in a very dusty house.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Definitely biker shorts of leggings underneath.

Sally

Veteran

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions.
Staysfit - I could wear a dress but my dresses are quite new and some are made with material that could rip easily. Otherwise I would wear an old dress ...maybe I could find some old ones and wear them with tights.
Jenni - good point . someone else said that to me today and with summer here just starting and Feb/March being really hot months, that is the last thing I should be wearing. I have lots of shorts that are quite short so I might hunt for some longer ones in an op shop just to wear to the garden.
Sal - I think I might just have old jeans to leave and a skirt could easily be changed out of in my back room.
Rachylou- it would just be an hour a day at the most so that is why I don't want to wear scruffy clothes all the time.
Stagiaire fash- its with teenagers and until now I have managed to just supervise but I think I might need to get my hands dirty at some point. Yes and the students often garden in their uniform and don't really get too muddy unless it is wet weather. My teacher aide who gets more into the garden than me keeps an old t-shirt and running shoes in the garden.
Beth Ann- that is a very cool site. If I was gardening all day, I would wear something like that. If it becomes more than a part-time thing, I might even venture into that style.
suntiger - joggers would be another option apart from shorts in the winter when it gets cold.
Shevia - yes I thought bike shorts could be worn underneath and my skirt whipped off when I went down to the garden. Just need to consider modesty as well.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

A half apron would be good for modesty after you whip the skirt off (actually, tying it on before taking the skirt off). Just make sure it’s wide enough to wrap most of the way around. The black one might work, or the striped one. https://www.gardenista.com/sho.....ns/aprons/