No matter how hard I try to avoid it, I am always drawn to fashion. Having grown up in retail with a family full of fashion minded people, I cannot let it go. I find myself carefully choosing my clothing even when I am headed out into the garden! You would think this wasn’t important, it’s just my fenced in back yard, but one day I learned the hard way that sometimes you have unexpected visitors. A male friend of my roommates walked right through our back gate and surprised me while I was checking on some of my plants. I was barely dressed in an oversized tank top (covered in mud) and short cloth shorts. Embarrassing to say the least.

Gardening can be a messy venture so how does one dress? If you are working on a large farm you will have different rules than if you are in your own backyard. Since most of you are probably hobby gardeners we will focus on how to be an urban farm sartorialist.

One of my favorite garden outfits is a pair of flannel pj pants and my large men’s hoodie I bought in Scotland. I slip on my Tom’s Shoes and I’m ready to go for a stroll. This is the outfit I wear when I survey my garden each morning, a cup of coffee in hand. It’s comfortable and easy! But I only wear this at 7am cause I know no one is going to come marching through my back gate.

More often than not it is hot in Central Texas. With the heat and the sun it is important to stay cool, but covered. I opt for a loose “boyfriend” oxford with the sleeves rolled up twice. Pair that with wide leg jeans also rolled up (so they don’t drag in the beds) and my favorite garden shoes: my Le Chemeau green rubber boots.  Top it off with a big hat (I love my red hat I bought in Fredericksburg many years ago) and you protected from the sun but still staying cool. Loose, cotton clothing is necessary so that you can breath easy and it keeps the air moving around your body and doesn’t trap the heat.

In a normal winter we have a few days of freezing temperatures. At this point you will have to rush out to water in your plants and cover them. Pull on your high rubber boots OVER your jeans/pants to keep them from getting dirty and

add a zip up or pull over style fleece and a tight wool cap on your head. Gloves are a must.

Farmers Markets are quickly becoming the place to buy your food and to people watch. Whether shopping or selling cabbage, you want to look your best, but also appropriate. I take inspiration from the 1940s English estate style: Nice sweater, a cotton skirt that hits just above the knee, and thick socks poking out from above my essential green rubber boots. Don’t forget a good canvas tote bag to carry all your veggies in!

Other ways to jazz up your garden attire is to add a carefully placed scarf. I love wrapping a scarf around my head (headband style or “pirate” style). A bandana style scarf around the neck is always classic! Shoes are important as well -- I prefer knee high rubber boots, but those can get hot. Having a pair of short rubber boots, or even snake boots are important as well. Clogs are always a good choice and you can keep them right by the door, slipping them on when needed.

Bon dressing!

Kate Higdon

Landscape Designer and Certified Permaculture Designer

Perfect Lawns and Landworks

Austin, TX