Recently, a farm wife friend and I were discussing the snow and frigid temperatures we've been experiencing this winter. The chat progressed to clothes, in particular our choices of farm clothes that would keep us warm when outside doing chores. Yes, we played true to the stereotypical women gabbing about clothes. But, here’s where the stereotype ends: We both agreed we don’t care whether or not our chore clothes are fashionable, because warmth and practicality trump chic!
Besides, the cattle don't care how we look.
In my book chapter titled “Farm Fashion,” I described some of my farm clothes: a denim jacket purchased at a garage sale for $5.00; Bill’s old ragged-around-the-edges olive drab army coat, vintage mid-1960’s; a Cargill Industries freebie stocking cap; heavy work gloves; and my gumboots, also known as my “Big Girl Boots.”
Included in this stylish collection are ski clothes I no longer ski in: double-layer underwear, turtleneck shirts and socks. I also have a couple of ski jackets, colorful stocking caps and headbands, and gloves and mittens with liners for both. However, when I’m mingling with the cattle and slopping through mud and muck, I prefer to wear outer clothing that can be hosed off, if necessary, or deemed no great loss if it’s unsalvageable.
A new item for me this year is a pair of leg gaiters. There were three reasons for this: One, we had 13 inches of blowing, drifting snow and my snow boots weren’t tall enough to wade through it without filling up with the cold white stuff; two, the boot zippers won’t stay up; and three, one of the boots sprung a leak along a seam. I can’t part with it right now to be repaired but the gaiter covers up the split seam.
So, what does this farm fashion maven look like in her chore ensemble?
Besides, the cattle don't care how we look.
In my book chapter titled “Farm Fashion,” I described some of my farm clothes: a denim jacket purchased at a garage sale for $5.00; Bill’s old ragged-around-the-edges olive drab army coat, vintage mid-1960’s; a Cargill Industries freebie stocking cap; heavy work gloves; and my gumboots, also known as my “Big Girl Boots.”
Included in this stylish collection are ski clothes I no longer ski in: double-layer underwear, turtleneck shirts and socks. I also have a couple of ski jackets, colorful stocking caps and headbands, and gloves and mittens with liners for both. However, when I’m mingling with the cattle and slopping through mud and muck, I prefer to wear outer clothing that can be hosed off, if necessary, or deemed no great loss if it’s unsalvageable.
A new item for me this year is a pair of leg gaiters. There were three reasons for this: One, we had 13 inches of blowing, drifting snow and my snow boots weren’t tall enough to wade through it without filling up with the cold white stuff; two, the boot zippers won’t stay up; and three, one of the boots sprung a leak along a seam. I can’t part with it right now to be repaired but the gaiter covers up the split seam.
So, what does this farm fashion maven look like in her chore ensemble?
When I want to "glam" up the outfit, I trade the freebie stocking cap for one of my colorful ski caps. Tres chic!
Farm Wife Barbie meets Army Surplus Refugee!
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