Workwear is having a moment. We've rounded up our 10 favorites for the well-dressed gardener, from runway-worthy overalls to well-cut denim work pants (with reinforced knees and plenty of pockets for tools):
Work Pants
Above: Horticulturalist Taylor Johnston was inspired to design a collection of stylish gardener's workwear after New York Times fashion photographer Bill Cunningham published some photos he had snapped of her at work at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston wearing "ill-fitting, tattered work duds borrowed from the men's rack."
Says Johnston: "I was pretty mortified when Bill's photos, featuring yours truly, showed up in his 'On the Street' column in the New York Times." The experience prompted her to found Gamine Co., which manufactures high-quality, made-in-America workwear, including Dungarees work pants (Shown).
Above: A pair of Dungarees from Gamine Co. is made of denim woven on 1940s shuttle looms in North Carolina and sewn in a factory in Tennessee. With "old school patch pockets in both the front and back fit everything from a phone to a rolled-up topo map," the work pants are available in sizes 25-32; $150 per pair.
Above: Work pants specialists Carhartt collaborated with Milan-based Slam Jam to create a limited-edition collection of rigid Denim Lincoln Pants with multiple pockets to hold tools. Available in sizes 28 to 33, a pair is $115 from End Clothing.
Above: With a relaxed fit and reinforced knees lined with water-resistant neoprene, the Original Gardening Trouser in UK sizes 8 to 18 comes in two lengths (regular and long); £95.
Above: Cut full for comfort and made in America, Pointer Brand's rigid denim Lightweight Carpenter Jeans have pockets and loops to hold tools. Available in sizes from 28 to 70 inches, they're $56 a pair.
Above: Made of brushed cotton and with a 29-inch inseam, a pair of Gardeners Pants from Gardener's Supply has pockets for tools, reinforced knees, and an elastic waistband; available in brown (Shown) or blue in sizes 4-18 for $59.95. Sizes 16W-22W are on sale for $49.95.
Above: With seven pockets (including one designed to hold a ruler), a pair of Ladies Canvas Work Trousers made in Germany by Rofa is marked down from €136 to €94 at Manufactum.
Above: A pair of Modern Cargo Pants from Duluth Trading are made of 97 percent cotton and 3 percent Spandex for comfort and have eight pockets including a zippered pocket for a cell phone. Available in sizes 4 to 18, they are $64.50 a pair.
Overalls
Above: From British designer Margaret Howell, a pair of MHL Superfine Twill Dungarees in black cotton have patch pockets and come in sizes S, M, and L; $426 from Mill Mercantile.
Above: Made in America, Pointer Brand's Full Cut Rigid Denim Overalls are available in waist sizes 28 to 62 and in lengths from 29 to 36, currently on sale for $56 (marked down from $66) at L.C. King Manfacturing Co.
Above: With 13 pockets and a cell phone sleeve, Duluth Trading's Denim Overalls are 99 percent cotton with "a bit of Spandex woven in for easy-moving flex." They have internal knee pouches (if you want to add pads for kneeling) and come in sizes from extra small to extra large; $79.50.
Above: A pair of Long Strap Overalls from French and Danish designers Base Range are made of organic cotton and have thin adjustable straps: $162 from La Garconne.
Above: A slouchy pair of Cargo Overalls in a cotton-linen blend have leg pockets and are available in sizes extra-extra small to extra large; $78 from Madewell.
For more stylishly practical garden fashion, see:
- A Roll-Up Gardener's Tool Apron.
- Work Aprons: Keep Clean While Getting Dirty.
- Rugged Garden Style by Artifact Bag Co.
- 10 Easy Pieces: Sun Hats.
- 10 Easy Pieces: Canvas Totes.
- DIY: A Waxed Canvas Tote for $15.
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