Talkback: Gardening clothes - Talkback

29/01/2008 at 13:27

Sturdy ankle boots, jeans and tee shirt with various over layers depending on the weather. I have a belt for the Felco holster which is big enough to go over my coat if necessary or can be tightened for over jeans. I have a large collection of hats too but I don't seem to wear them in the garden.

Gardeners' World Web User

29/01/2008 at 16:49

One of the best things about gardening programmes is looking at what people wear. I'm sure Monty must have hoards of female fans stamping on his cotton jackets to get them to have that "what this old thing, I've had it for years" look. Carol Klein has you running for the sunglasses and Chris Beardshaw goes for the rugged manly look - but at least they all have dirty fingernails - never trust a gardener with smooth hands and clean fingernails. But at least the clothes defineth the man, if you can't remember the name then "the one with the big hat" couldn't be anyone else but you James.

Gardeners' World Web User

29/01/2008 at 19:42

I wear a pair of cream jodpurs that I have had in my draw for years. They are warmer than jeans, fit right into my wellies, dont reveal my underwear when I kneel and no matter what I do to them they always come clean!! Perfect!

Gardeners' World Web User

29/01/2008 at 22:12

The most essential pieces of gardening clothing has to be, a body warmer with lots of pockets and a pair of combat trousers also with extra pockets in the sides. They are so useful for all those extra bits of twine, pruning clippers and the all important pocket knife for cuttings.

Gardeners' World Web User

30/01/2008 at 13:42

I always end up wearing clothes that i love but which are no longer fit for public view - the T-shirt with a stain or torn jumper.

Gardeners' World Web User

31/01/2008 at 11:39

After gently teasing my 10-year-old daughter about her fascination with Crocs, she got her own back by getting me a pair for Christmas. They are perfect for pottering about in the garden.

Gardeners' World Web User

31/01/2008 at 16:28

I wear old trousers or shorts no longer fit for normal wear and then strappy tops, T-shirts, sweatshrits, old jumpers according to the season. I was given a quilted lumberjack shirt which is brilliant for cold dry days and wear green cotton jacket with zipper and hood when it's wet. I have a waxed cotton hat for sunnny days and rainy days but it doesn't stay on in the wind.

Footwear is always wellies. I have a pair for summer with no socks, another for spring and autumn with one pair of socks and another for winter that can take 2 or even 3 pairs of socks. Much to my daughter's embarrassment these are all in shades of pink and purple and have matching plastic trugs and gloves which I bought on a whim.

Gardeners' World Web User

31/01/2008 at 16:56

Currently sporting steel toecap boots with a good grip, cheapish jeans with stretch and a bit of bootleg to prevent compost etc going into boots. Long sleeve long thermal top, small close fitting poloneck fleece, larger fleece, water and windproof shell. Gloves that will dry fairly quickly when grabbing a quick cuppa. Woolly lined hat, glasses that steam up. Not very elegant, especially when popping to tesco on the way home, even worse when muddy!! It's the day job and I wouldn't have it any other way. Summer wear consists of jeans, lighter boots, long T-shirt to protect the bit of your back you always forget to put suncream on when weeding....I'd love to look like Rachel de Thame but I don't think its going to happen soon.

Gardeners' World Web User

31/01/2008 at 20:04

Ski wear is fab for winter gardening. If you can pick up a jacket in the sales, you'll never feel the January chill again.

Gardeners' World Web User

01/02/2008 at 08:34

I always wear a pair of craghopper trousers as they have plenty of pockets for all those little things we gardeners carry around with us like pruning knives and such, then on colder days a jumper complete with holes or in summer a comfy Tshirt.All topped off with a gilet or waterproof jacket on those chillier or wet days.

Gardeners' World Web User

01/02/2008 at 10:13

I find fingerless wool gloves are just the job in winter and like James, a good felt wide brim hat does the job too - quite natty I think! I think Sarah Raven looks a million dollars in her outfits, she can come and arrange my flowers any time!

Gardeners' World Web User

01/02/2008 at 16:24

I am perfectly comfy in my old and muddy jeans and various careworn fleece's and t-shirts, but I wouldn't like to be seen in public in any of my gardening outfits. I don't believe in doing anything at arms length and by the end of a busy day weeding and pruning etc I could often pass for a scarecrow!

Gardeners' World Web User

02/02/2008 at 13:52

As a gardener myself, i find that this time of year, the most useful thing I wear is a brimmed woolen hat(a bit like 'Radar's' hat from M*A*S*H),a good quilted body warmer,cargo trousers and a good set of long johns!

Gardeners' World Web User

02/02/2008 at 20:16

Well, I'm afraid it's good old jeans and t-shirt for me, along with jumper, either with holes in or paint all over the sleeves and hubby's National Geographic fleece in winter. Then in summer, I tend to wear my old linen trousers which are cool and comfortable and either a t-shirt or spaghetti straps, the latter sometimes with a light shirt over the top to protect my shoulders. Footwear is always old trainers but I'm not really a hat person, so I have to be careful if it's really sunny and make sure I drink lots.

Gardeners' World Web User

03/02/2008 at 17:42

I'm glad not to be the only one who wears old clothes for gardening in! I suddenly feel quite trendy. My garb tends to be layers of old clothing which can be adjusted according to the weather and how hard I'm labouring. For most of the year, footwear is almost always an old pair of walking boots. Can't stand gloves though as I like to feel the plants and soil.

Gardeners' World Web User

05/02/2008 at 11:33

I have gardened in everything from Armani to Army Surplus, but what I wear most often when gardening is a smile.

Gardeners' World Web User

08/02/2008 at 19:42

When my daughters were teenagers it was quite satisfying to go out in the garden looking suitably shabby and muddy just to see the look of horror and disbelief on their 'street cred' faces. Now I am just shabby and muddy (and contented) because that is inevitable in the garden and my 'street cred' daughters have now grown up and have joined me!

Gardeners' World Web User

08/02/2008 at 20:18

Armani indeed. My gardening sartorial statement consists of heavy duty boiler suits 2 sizes too big acquired at regular intervals from the local NFU. Flattering they ain't, but they do simultaneously allow for serious layering in winter and protection from hoary sunburnt arms in summer. Best of all there's not the remotest danger of builders bum. And all those delicious pockets and loops - perfect for felcos, lables, seed packets, bits of string, the essential leatherman etc, while also the occasional repository for long lost delights. Only the other day I unearthed 2x £10 notes and an ancient pack of gauloises (untipped). Those were the days.

Gardeners' World Web User

12/02/2008 at 17:51

Scruffiness seems to be the order of the day among most of you - that and comfort. Very sensible. As a matter of interest - does anybody out there garden in wooden clogs or 'tackety boots'? (Reference to Oor Wullie who, for those of a Southern persuasion, is a long running cartoon character from the Sunday Post).

Gardeners' World Web User

17/02/2008 at 16:37

I garden in old pair of new style zip up dms, cheap jeans cost a fiver in the sale about 2 yrs ago and are now riding up leg, and long grey hoody to avoid builders bum. I feel like my soul is cleansed.