Fun and Functional Gardening Outfits
Did you know that 35% of U.S. households grow food at home or are involved somehow in a community garden? That's a 200% increase since 2008. Food just tastes better when you grow it from your own garden, and it's a great educational opportunity for kids to watch something evolve from seed to fruit.
Whether you're a veteran green thumb or you're just getting started, you'll need the proper attire. Although fashion might not be your top priority when going to dig in the dirt, what you wear does need to fit well and comfortably. If you're looking for some new gardening outfits that are both functional and fun, read on for our recommendations.
A Shirt With Sun Protection
When it comes to women's summer shirts for gardening, you might want to focus on finding one that's functional first and then shift your focus to finding a design that's fun. The shirt should be durable, easy to clean, and quick-drying. It's an added bonus if the shirt has UV protection, which you still need even in cloudy conditions. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, as much as 80% of the sun's UV rays can pass through cloud cover.
Footwear
Have you ever headed outside with the goal of simply watering a plant or filling the bird feeder, only to realize that there are some weeds that popped up overnight that you feel the need to pluck ASAP? If so, you know how carried away you can get as soon as you bend down to pluck one weed and realize that you're still out there a half-hour later with your slippers or flip flops covered in mud. Experts recommend having a pair of gardening clogs near the door for you to slip on whenever you head outside. That way you can guarantee you're prepared when that tiny job turns into a bigger one. Make sure they're waterproof, easy to clean, and have lots of traction to prevent yourself from slipping in the mud. A steel toe can provide extra protection in case you're working with heavy rocks or risk dropping garden shears on your foot. Don't forget the "fun" factor. You can find gardening clogs in a lot of cute styles.
Easy-to-Clean Bottoms
Some long shorts or capris that stay put when you're kneeling and bending over are vital for a gardener. Considering all the dirt around you, you'll want to make sure they're easy to clean as well. Stay with a darker color to mask any dirt stains and look for a water-resistant or quick-drying material, too, in case your garden hose has a mind of its own.
Overalls
If you want to avoid the hassle of wearing a different gardening outfit every day, and therefore washing a new outfit every day, overalls or coveralls are a great option. All you have to do is pull them on over your shorts and short sleeve women's shirt, and you're good to go. You'll not only keep your outfit clean, but you also don't have to worry about any skin showing when you bend over as you're gardening either. Look for a pair with pockets and hooks so you have somewhere to stick your gloves and gardening tools. Keep them hanging by the door next to your cute gardening clogs so you can slip into both whenever nature calls you outside.
Cute Gloves
Wearing gloves when gardening isn't just to protect your fingernails from dirt — anyone who has ever been pricked by a rose bush knows that. Besides pesty, prickly weeds to contend with, there are also blisters to battle from digging and raking. You'll also need gloves if you're handling fertilizer or weed killer so you can avoid any health risk from chemicals. Once you nail down the protection factor, you can then pick a pair in a fun design. Consider storing your gloves and other gardening equipment in a sturdy canvas tote next to your overalls and clogs where you can grab it on the way out the door.
A Gardening Hat
When it comes to sun protection, it starts at the top: your head. A proper gardening hat will protect not only your head from the sun but also your neck and face. It will also keep annoying insects at bay. Don't make the mistake of assuming a regular old baseball cap will do. Your neck and shoulders can still get sunburnt when you wear a baseball cap. You'll want to make sure it's comfortable to wear with a breathable fabric so your head doesn't sweat. Once you find the right garden hat, you'll wonder why you've never worn one before.
There's a lot to consider when choosing garden attire, but just because it's protective doesn't mean it can't be fun. Hopefully, this has inspired you to get out in the garden and get planting!