Other than gloves I don't think I've ever bought anything new to wear for gardening ... I wear old jeans and old teeshirts, or sweatshirts, or whatever the weather calls for. And I think I have pretty close to a lifetime supply of leather gloves at this point -- when DH was still working for the railroad someone ordered a bunch of size "small" gloves, which were way too small for even the smallest guy they had working, so I "inherited" them . I can't stand the nitrile gloves. Also agree with the quality (and yes! to the inseam lengths on the pants) of Duluth Trading stuff, but if you're on a limited budget why not check Goodwill or other such places?

For gardening, I wear sweatpants or light weight elastic waist pants with pockets. Always with pockets. My shirts are old t-shirts where it won't matter how dirty they get. I love my rain/mud boots for gardening before it gets too hot for them. Easy to slip on and off. I buy my gardening gloves at Menards when they are on sale.

I love this thread. Great information

I get Atlas 370 garden gloves and leather (or leather-palmed) gloves from palmflex.com . The leather ones have been items that were on sale when I got the Atlas gloves. I do order a bunch of gloves at once, often splitting them with local gardening friends (such as at one of our NGA plant or seed swaps). They have packs of a dozen Atlas gloves at $43 per dozen mixed colors, but they also have sale events and times when shipping is free (normally it's free over $80 I think, tough to do on a tight budget), so get on their mailing list.

Goodwill is definitely a place to check for jeans, sweats, tees, flannel shirts, etc. Pre-worn just makes those items more comfortable! You might even luck into a pair of Carhardt's there, you never know.

Good to know about the Rosie's bib overalls with a ton of pockets and about the other items mentioned so far on this thread.

The garden overalls at Duluth are lightweight, with a bit of stretch. I wear layers under in the winter, but during summer, they stay cool enough to not bother me wearing long pants all day. I did buy the insertable knee pads and use them about half the time.

Critter, I have a nice thick Carhart sweatshirt with their name embroidered prominently on the front. Leftover angst from my high school years (anti-name brand, no free advertising, who knows what else went through my mind), I carefully picked out every other letter so my sweatshirt is now my 'Crat' shirt.

I use West County gloves. I think they are marketed as work gloves, not gardening gloves. They come in many different sizes. They're not cheap - around $15, but I sometimes I find them cheaper on eBay. They're not leather, but have leather where you need it, on the palm and some fingertips. I like them better than full leather gloves because you have more flexibility with them. I've found that full leather gloves that are tough enough don't allow me enough flexibility to do some things. What I especially like about the West County gloves is that they have a Velcro closing at the wrist. I'm willing to pay a premium for that!

I peruse e-bay for my workwear especially bibs: Bernes women's wear. They have all sizes. Can buy used for $20. They are made of duckcloth. I love 'em. Can find gloves too. I usually wear those latex coated on one side gloves but 2 pair. One up side down then the other with latex palm down to reduce soil from entering. I also made denim sleeves from skinny girl spandex/denim jeans from the thrift shop so I can prune roses and my beloved raspberries and black raspberries. I'll send links if your interested.

@dtaylor14213 That is really good to know...if my new ones don't work out!

@Lioba excellent tips!

Perhaps both of you might share links to those ebay sellers, since there are so many.

I love the Carhart's Crawford Double Front Original Fit Work Pant. The 4 short fits perfectly (I'm 5'2"/117lb.). They're expensive, but the fact that they fit is awesome. The only place I can find them in Canada in this size is at marks.com.

@Lioba, do you mean you put on one pair of gloves inside out, with the nitrile coating against your skin? I love those Atlas gloves, but they really do let dirt in... after a while, my fingernails look nearly as if I'd been digging without any gloves at all. (I wear gloves because I have to protect my skin from breaks, not so much to keep my fingernails pretty LOL, but clean fingernails would be a plus!)

Jill, when my nails start gathering dirt under my Atlas gloves, that is a sign to me it's time for a new pair. I think with wear, they just become more dirt-permeable. And, oh how I love to retire the old ones and start with a fresh pair (in a new color). Luckily my local feed store carries them and sometimes even puts them on sale.

@mcdona12 has created a new thread to give you an answer.

mcdona12 said:Check out this website. It's a sewing and embroidery supply website. The embroidery link has name brand T-shirts, jackets, caps, and women's denim shirts at good prices if you want new products.
http://www.shoppersrule.com/mm...

Edited to add: That new thread has been deleted.

@greene

I like wearing baseball batting gloves for for regular garden work, They are tough, cheap, and washable. And you can pick up things wearing them. I have heavy leather gloves for working around thorny stuff. And I have pond gloves for wet work. They fit up to the shoulder.

Deb thanks! I tend to wear my gloves until the fingertips wear through... bet it is my old ones that are letting in the dirt. I get them by the dozen when PalmFlex has a sale, so they've been as low as $3.10 per pair.

Yardenman said:I like wearing baseball gloves for for regular garden work, They are tough, cheap, and washable. And you can pick up things wearing them. I have heavy leather gloves for working around thorny stuff. And I have pond gloves for wet work. They fit up to the shoulder.

bloominholes2fill said:

I had to edit the post to say baseball BATTING gloves. Sorry for any confusion... Baseball batting gloves are great for garden work.

Got outside today and wore my new Carhartt jean bib overalls. I got them from Sierra Trading Post for 25 bucks! They carry overstock items, and such. I couldn't be happier with them, and I'll be getting another pair when the wallet gives me permission!

Cut offs/shorts, or Soffee shorts and a tank top and garden clogs is my Gardening Uniform. And big granny cotton panties that soak up the sweat. No lacy or polyester underneath! I loaded up on a Walmart sale on sleeveless cotton tops in 4 colors. I'm set. I am Team No Gloves in the summer. I just get too hot with my hands covered. Plus I like to feel what I am touching. I have a very good nail brush. LOL That's not to say I don't own pairs and pairs of gloves. Mostly Atlas left over from our ATP Glove Co Op from a few years ago. But I also got gloves for Christmas, and received today 2 pr. of men's work gloves specific for gripping from Amazon ($2.50/pr) on a Flash Sale. I will save all of them for whenever I need them, like shoveling mulch.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008XDLENS/

bloominholes2fill said:

Anybody have suggestions on where to find heavy duty, women's size leather gloves? I've been avoiding looking at Tractor Supply bc of prices, but I think it's time....

I've found really excellent gloves at horse-riding supply places. They have to be flexible enough so you can feel what you're doing, yet strong enough that they don't get ruined by ropes or leather straps forcefully sliding through your hands. I've even washed one pair and though they came out very stiff, they softened right up with use. HTH.