What to wear to get messy/dirty

I started my jewelry classes, yay!! Yesterday was the glass class, next week I start Enameling. In a few more weeks I start Metal Casting. I might do some more glass classes, too, maybe a glass blowing.
Anyway, I know from the glasses I have taken before, it's very messy when you start cold working (getting wet from the grinders, etc. Glass is worked under water due to heat, etc, so you are using a very fast moving saw/grinder/sander with water flowing over it. Let the hilarity ensue). There also are requirements like closed toe shoes, no synthetic fabrics. And I still want to to look good coming and going, of course.
I am just not sure what to wear. I have the shoes sussed out, as I have a pair of "designated" jewelry making high top purple sneakers (Converse) that bear witness to other classes, etc.
I can either go with one tatty old pair of jeans I have or a succession of black and gray yoga pants that look okay and I am not afraid of messing up.
Most of the other folks seemed to be wearing t-shirts, which I hate. I can never find ones that fit right and I hate the neckline. I will probably take a long sleeve denim shirt to throw on over whatever as I go out. It's sort of running a gauntlet of college students because I have to walk all the way through the building and the parking lot at the University of Oregon to get to my car.
Open to suggestions. Any thoughts on overalls? Thinking I might look a bit like Roy Clark, since I am fat and all, but... Ideas?

14 years ago

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Veteran

I would choose the hated t shirt, or denim shirt, before overalls. Can you find a more fitted, colorful, cheap tee that you don't mind ruining but isn't a boxy horrible disaster? Places like Kmart, etc have $5 tees all the time. http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_1.....0243963256

Kari

How fun, Mitzy! My aunt makes jewelry as well - a lot of what I wear is either made by her, or her colleagues from the beading/jewelry making world.

Will you maybe consider showing pictures of your creations when you are done?

If it were me, I'd probably go with tried-and-true clothes that are comfortable but that I wouldn't mind getting a little grimy - well worn in jeans, comfortable shoes (though you have that part sorted), and an older knit or very soft, worn in woven top - maybe a sleeveless shell underneath another layer, so that if the room was getting very hot (especially in the glass blowing studio) I could remove the top layer and still be decent. I don't like the way that traditional tee shirts fit me either, so I'm right with you there. My tee shirts are used mainly for sleeping and for working out in. But I do like simple tees with V-neck or scoop-necks for layering or for an occasion like this where it's practical to have a top that you don't mind getting a bit distressed.

Mitzy

Active Member

I absolutely will show what I make! No problems. I will be as proud of my ugly first efforts as any mom ever was of an ugly newborn!
At this point, I am going with the tatty jeans, purple hi-tops and a black Lane Bryant t-shirt I found at St Vincent de Pauls. I will try Goodwill for some work shirts on Wed. My dad is going through what he has for me, too. He says he might have some old chambray shirts that would be fine as long as I tuck them in.
Should I post pics of WIW? LOL

Scarlet

I actually have a soft-spot for overalls. I had the cutest pair I got rid of. So sad about those. I like the idea of denim shirt. Denim is a worker's material anyway.

Lisa

I like the denim shirt and old jeans idea. A denim shirt will offer some protection or even a plaid shirt. Have fun!

modgrl

Many welders wear heavy denim work shirts. I would go with one of these, maybe get a Levi's women's cut shirt. If you get the men's, you could pair it with skinny jeans. Have fun and don't forget to post your creations!

I really like this one http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_1.....ckType=G12

They also make a heavy duty flame resistant one.

Desmo April

I would go with a SLIGHTLY oversized denim shirt. Wear whatever you want on class day and pop the denim shirt over what ever you are wearing--basically as a smock.

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