Farming Meets Fashion

One of the most important parts of farming is wearing the right gear for the job. Working outside, subject to whatever the weather is throwing at you, means every item of clothing from your hat to your socks must be durable, functional, comfortable, and–if you can swing it–fashionable. 

We joke about farm fashion a lot at VRDNT because most of the time we’re covered in dirt, dealing with rubber boots splitting at the seams, rocking the weirdest farmer’s tans, or suited up for winter like the Michelin Man. But, hey, some of that stuff probably isn’t too far off from New York Fashion Week, right? 

Jokes aside, when you have a job like ours, finding the gear that works best for you makes all the difference. Everyone has something a little different that fits their preferences, so we interviewed our crew to get the full scoop on farm fashion. 

Duluth Trading

“Duluth holds up over the course of several seasons and has good durability and good designs,” says Field Worker Lea. 

Wash & Pack Assistant Amanda seconds that. Her and Ashley, the Wash & Pack Manager, are partial to the Duluth Women’s Heirloom Gardening Overalls. “I'm an overalls person, I like having a bunch of pockets. I like the colors, they’re very comfy, and you can squat and move easily,” says Amanda. 

“Some folks at my first real farming gig in Massachusetts wore the Duluth overalls, and I remember telling myself that if I decided to farm full time after moving to Texas, I’d invest in my own. Now, that’s all I wear every season,” says Ashley. 

photo by Julia Keim

Leggings Ladies

Other members of the VRDNT crew are more partial to leggings. Owner & Operator Becky admits, “I’m a basic b*tch in that I love my Lululemon leggings. That’s what I want to wear everyday. They’re so comfy and give a full range of motion.” 

Cassandra, our Communications Coordinator, is also on Team Leggings. She adds that leggings with pockets are the best of both worlds. “I need pockets all the time out there on the farm. I found some Carhartt ones last year that are really high-quality, durable, and have multiple pockets.” 

Becky, on the other hand, is a big fan of the leggings and fanny pack combo. “Back in the day when I did a lot more harvesting, I used fanny packs instead of relying on pockets. Now, I mainly wear fanny packs as a purse.”

Hot ‘n’ Cold

“Always make sure to get your farmer’s tan in on the weekend and cover up as much as possible while working,” says Field Worker Lyndsie. 

Cassandra adds, “Protection is very important. Long pants, long sleeves, and a hat even when it’s the middle of summer to keep as much sun off me as possible.”

"Fabric choice makes a big difference," Lyndsie continues. “I really like linen, mainly a thin long sleeve linen shirt to keep cool.” Lea agrees, and Becky gives a great tip to check out men’s oversized dress shirts at the thrift store for a good bargain. 

Most of the crew prefers lighter, looser long sleeves, but Ashley and Cassandra like the fit of tighter dry-fit shirts and sun shirts. “Mine are from Columbia, but most sun/SPF shirts should do the trick. I know some people who stand by the Patagonia sun hoodies,” says Ashley.

Lea shares another tip for the summer, “A bandanna plus cold water on the back of the neck really helps you cool down. A wide brim hat is also critical.”

When it comes to the considerably shorter period of time when we have to worry about keeping warm, Amanda recommends Berne insulated overalls. Cassandra layers her leggings underneath sweatpants or rain pants, and Lea likes Carharrt pants (usually men’s because they’re cheaper than women’s). 

“When it’s wet and cold, a good rain jacket as an outer shell is a must-have,” says Ashley. 

These Boots are Made for Farming

Cassandra has three types of shoes she rotates through depending on the task. “Tennis shoes are the most comfortable but the least supportive. An old pair of hiking boots works great for support and a little bit of mud. And my rubber boots work awesome when it’s really rainy and muddy or when it’s really cold. Add a pair of toe warmers and I can work comfortably in below-freezing temperatures all day!”

“I have a pair of Chelsea boots that works great as long as it’s not raining, but I’m still on the hunt for some waterproof boots that will work for my picky feet,” says Ashley. 

Becky swears by her XTRATUF boots. “They’ve worked well for the last 6 years. They’re waterproof and have super great longevity. For sip-on boots, I use Ariat. They’re a more affordable option and super cute with a bright blue sole. Even when they get really dirty, that splash of color keeps it fun.”

“Socks are a big one for me,” says Ashley. “I burn through most socks within a few months, but Darn Tough socks from up North are the only ones I’ve been able to wear for over a year before getting holes.” 

Keeping it Real

Let’s be real, some of this gear can get pricey, and you still have to replace things every now and then. But, Lyndsie has a great hack for extending the life of leaking rain boots. “When in doubt, boot bag it out,” she says. If your rain boots have holes or cracks and you just can’t bring yourself to buy another pair yet, slip into some plastic bags first. Plastic bags + boots keep the water out. If your boots are oversized enough, Lyndise recommends the thick reusable plastic HEB bags, but any plastic bag should work as long as it’s not too thin and breakable. 

One of our trademark sayings on the farm is, “You only have one body, and you have to take care of it.” That means so many things, but mainly doing our best not to overwork or injure ourselves. Working a physical job all day means playing the long game of working at a constant, comfortable pace, taking enough breaks, properly fueling and hydrating, and getting enough rest in your down time. Wearing the right gear also comes into play, of course.

Lyndise says, “You shouldn't be afraid or ashamed to wear a brace on an injured area or to prevent injury. I have a back brace I wear all the time. It allows me to do more bending and working without straining my back than I would be able to do without it.”

Results are In

The VRDNT Team is currently comprised of all women, so we can’t speak to the men’s perspective on farm fashion, but we think it’s safe to say that it’s often harder for women to find good quality, durable gear that fits well. Plus, since more women have been getting into farming recently, more and more options are becoming available. And, some of them are actually cute, which might not be a necessity, but it never hurts.