What to Wear for Gardening in the Summer

Country women & gardeners have style essentials too

Ladies, have you ever noticed how fashion magazines assume we all live in the city and work in offices? Their recommendations never seem to take into account the one who spends her days outdoors, among dirt, plants, animals, even children, working for her own family or a paid job that is grittier.

What does a woman wear for her day working at home, working outdoors, surrounded by life, sticky hands, dirty paws, dough flinging off her beaters, flour in her hair, and insects buzzing all around her? I don’t think the fashion industry touted white button-down blouse fits anywhere into this kind of living. Especially in the summer heat! Especially…in the garden.

The Summer Garden Dress

This dress works for any day working at home cleaning, cooking, etc. But this is my garden dress. Many dresses are good for cleaning and cooking but not just any dress is a garden dress. It needs very particular features to be comfortable for the outdoor work of the garden. Here is what to look for to get yourself a garden dress for the warm season:

1. Stretchy Fabric

This dress should allow you to move in every which way unhindered. It can be a simple stretchy knit fabric. Now, modern day fast fashion is full of very thin flimsy spandex blend knit fabrics while some have significantly more heft or weight to them. I aim for stretch knit fabric that is more dense which is better quality stretch knit fabric. Stretch knit dresses from higher end brands tend to have better quality. Having said that, stretch knit fabric, something like “jersey knit” is not a great structured fabric at any price point. Some are better than others, like significantly better. However, the flimsy soft nature of this type of stretch blend is what makes it good for gardening. Some spandex blends are way better quality than cheap jersey knit but the idea for the gardening dress is this type of soft stretchy material. Because it’s not the greatest most flattering fabric the other listed features are that much more important.

2. Print & Color

This kind of stretchy knit fabric is not very forgiving. Like I’ve noted, higher quality stretch knits can have much better drape and thickness but many items made out of this type of fabric can just be so soft and stretchy it can show bumps and curves beneath it easily. Now add in that solid colors show more dirt, stains and sweat! Also, solid colors are more apt to being see-through! Prints are the most friendly fabric! A simple stripe, floral, etc. it is a major difference in looking well kept and classy. I know many women view solid colors as more flattering but the opposite is often true since solid fabric has no way of disguising anything! Colorful prints or even very basic navy blue white stripe or polka dot can cover a multitude of issues. Besides, this is a summer (sweat marks!) gardening dress (soil, produce juice etc!) so it is meant to get dirty and these features will help it do that without being obviously trashed!

3. Midi Length

Maxi length will trip you or catch debris and ticks, so long lengths are not good for outdoor living and work. Anything above the knee will show a lot off when you bend over (back of upper thigh). Below the knee and about mid calf is the best length for hemlines! You can always buy a maxi length and hem it to mid calf. Especially in a flimsy stretchy dress that can be a little clingy, having a midi length gives it a classy balance. Speaking of cling…

4. A-line Style

Look for a dress that is neither tight nor billowy in the skirt. Get something fitted on top that does not fall off shoulders or show your chest when moving and bending over. It should fit at the waist as well and then flow outward. This is a classic a-line cut dress. It is universally flattering on women as it skims over her body without adding bulk or making a body look like a stuffed sausage either.

Under Garments

This is important anyway but especially for gardening: wear spandex cotton shorts beneath a dress. This way you have proper coverage for a skirt getting flipped up, moving around and keeping pests out of your nether region. Spandex cotton shorts will be a good breathable fabric, allow for comfort, modesty and safety.

Footwear

My footwear consists of my leather cowgirl boots for heavier work and standing in tall grass, which I wear with my gardening dress as well. If I am in an area where I feel something could bite my foot because it’s more wild, I definitely wear my boots!

But there are a lot of times when I’m doing lighter duty gardening especially in the heat of summer: watering in the morning, dead heading blooms, insect patrol, cutting flowers for bouquets and standing in the brick courtyard only. I just wear a comfortable pair of sandals which means I need the soles to be cushioned and the straps to be wide and hold my foot well. These are a pair of sandals from one of my favorite brands Italian Shoemaker, made in Italy.

Accessories

I wear a light weight woven hat with a brim. I do not wear sunglasses in the garden. This style hat keeps the sunlight out of my eyes and face without being heavy or in my way.

This is my summer garden dress outfit! I feel so airy and feminine in this and yet I wear it to work in the garden. Living amid flowers and mud.

From my country home wishing you a beautiful summer in the garden, Barbie

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