I have been using long pants (usually sweats) in the yard for the past 2 summers, and they really help with the mosquitoes (for some reason they go after my legs more than my arms). I haven't found a good shoe type. I don't want to wear boots and sandals do not do the job sometimes. I'll try crocs or something similar also. I recently started using nitrile gloves also. it feels good to be able to walk into the house with mostly clean hands, even though I know some people like working in bare hands. I don't mind but dirt under the finger nails is something I don't think too much about nowadays, after realizing that I am comfortable with the gloves doing yard work.

I never used to wear gloves, would buy a pair every year and then never wear them. But this fall I got a bad stab from a thorn right into the sheath of my tendon between my knuckles and went to the ER because I was in so much pain and had a lot of swelling. Of course they put me on 2 different antibiotics right away in case of infection and it took an entire month for it to heal. NOW I wear thick gloves and although I still don't like it I rather them that have that happen again. I just get them from Lowe's and they work fine, so far. However I still always look as though I got in a fight with a cat (right now I have scratches all over both arms and even a few pricks from rose thorns, as well as getting over a nasty case of poison ivy on one arm), I not only need gloves I need armor of some kind! I have even started wearing a large hat to protect my face from the constant southern sun beating on me (hopefully it's not too late), it's actually kinda nice as it shades me while I'm gardening lol, like having a portable umbrella. Hope you get better soon! ~Meghan

I do dress for gardening because I have to go somewhere to do it (not just step out of the door) So I expect to have to put in some hours, either at the allotment or wood or at my few remaining customers) so yep, I have separate gardening clothes to non-work clothes...but not really any different, just grubbier. Tweed. Quite a lot of it. And stout leather shoes or boots. It will be a dark, dark day before I suffer either jeans or trainers UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Or T-shirts for that matter. Or especially shorts. Just because it's a bit wet, cold or muddy, doesn't mean style has to go out of the window...and anyway, I find that wool hacking jackets and linen shirts(for summer) or my handknitted jumpers,(winter) improve with age and wear. I don't wear wellies or coats either (shapeless, horrible and cold). I don't really like wearing trousers but I do put up with leather ones for winter. I have several pairs of leather pants which I have worn for many years. Every winter, I am always somewhat cheered that another year has gone by without my bottom increasing in girth - although, tbf, leather, especially old, saddlesoaped and oiled leather, has a certain flex which is forgiving on my thunder-thighs. I always wear a hat (whether I am gardening or not) because I like them. Hats, that is. In summer, I tend to wear loose cotton frocks. And leather shoes. I never, ever garden in sandals., no matter how hot..and as for bare-feet...just no. I make a lot of my own clothes so I can use durable fabrics and include capacious pockets. I have a gardening neighbour at the allotment who has been wearing the same black and grey striped sweater for over 20 years.

I was enjoying the hunt. Had not yet found anything in person, kept returning to these on Etsy but couldn't justify the price although given enough time I would probably pull the trigger. And then in the mail yesterday came a package from Quebec - our friends bought a set like theirs for us. So good news/bad news - I would have loved to have found something unique for us, but we now have knife rests to use for their visit in 10 days. Of course I can always continue the hunt and use the gift for their visits.