What to Wear on the Farm

What do farmers wear? When you think of farm life what do you picture? You might envision a plaid shirt, flat cap and wellies, or maybe you’ve got a more modern image of farm life.

Farming is hard work and the right clothing is essential to ensure comfort and top performance during all your daily jobs. From operating machinery to manual work like tending crops and cattle, farmwear needs to be resilient, warm and high quality. In this guide, we’ll explain what farmers wear to help support their daily tasks.

If you’re in need of a new wardrobe for farming, here at Philip Morris we have a range of premium farm clothing from the best brands in the business. We have everything needed to dress you head to toe, ready for a hard day’s work.

What Do Farmers Wear?

When it comes to farmwear, the two most important factors are practicality and protection. Working on the farm is a strenuous job and many chores involve hazards from heavy lifting to handling sharp equipment. Farming clothes are designed to keep farmers safe from potential hazards while also being durable enough to resist daily wear and tear.

Protection from the elements is also important and everything a farmer wears should protect them from wind, rain and UV rays.

1. Hats for Farming

One accessory that is an essential part of your farming wardrobe should be a high-quality hat. As a farmer, you’ll be outside and exposed to the elements all year round. From wind and rain to powerful sun rays, protecting your head in all weather with the right farmer hat is important.

Winter and Waterproof Farming Hats

In wetter months, temperatures plummet and it’s common to see all sorts of weather, from heavy downpours to snowy showers. In these conditions, you need a hat that can offer an insulated layer of warmth for your ears and head to protect you against the cold. A classic beanie or hunting cap with earflaps will keep you warm without excess weight during tough work.

You should also have a dedicated waterproof hat in your wardrobe that is ready for Britain’s infamous wet weather. A wax-coated or water-resistant flat cap offers brilliant protection from the rain, with a wide brim to direct water away from your face and material that lets water slide right off. Hoggs of Fife is a particularly great brand that offers a range of hats for the colder months that are both stylish and practical.

Summer Hats

When the weather is mild, it’s easy to forget protection like headwear, but prolonged exposure to UV rays can damage your skin and make strenuous farmwork feel even harder. Make sure you’ve got a hat with a wide brim like a baseball cap or even a traditional straw hat that shades your head, neck and shoulders from the sun. These options are breathable to prevent sweating and overheating while offering protection from UV rays.

2. Protective Farm Gloves

Although many farms have machinery to help reduce heavy workloads, a lot of manual labour is still common for farmers. Farming requires a lot of physical work, such as using tools and even tending animals. All this work can lead to sore hands and, in some cases, injuries if you’re unprotected when using sharp tools or lifting heavy goods.

The right pair of farming gloves will keep your hands protected in all weather and also shield you from splinters, scrapes and blisters. Your farming gloves need to be made from thick, durable material like leather for everyday use. This material will also help to increase your grip during lifting and moving.

Insulated Gloves

If you’ve got jobs to do when the weather is wet, your gloves also need to be waterproof to keep your hands warm and dry. For colder months, ensure your gloves have a warm insulated lining to avoid frozen fingers during early morning chores.

It’s also important to consider wearing specially designed livestock or disposable gloves when handling animals. Wearing gloves can help Ensure good hygiene and prevent potential diseases from spreading among your livestock and produce

3. Farming Shirts and Base Layer

When it comes to base layers, there are plenty of options to suit every farmer. You can choose from lightweight farming shirts to keep cool in summer or more heavy-duty options for colder weather.

Long Sleeve Farm Shirts

When you’re wondering ‘What do farmers wear?’ the classic item many people picture is a checked shirt. Checked shirts have a rich history in country wear and are both a practical and stylish addition to any farmer’s wardrobe.

This style of long-sleeved shirt is often made from premium materials like flannel that offers a breathable and insulating layer. With a long-sleeved shirt as your base layer, you’ll stay warm when working in winter and cool in summer.

Farm life also comes with mud, muck and manure, and the pattern on traditional farmers' shirts also has a practical use. The different colours and shapes help to conceal stains and marks, meaning you can stay smart even during dirty work!

Moisture Wicking Base Layers

One feature to look for when farming is shirts with moisture-wicking properties. This feature keeps sweat away from your skin, helping to reduce discomfort during strenuous farmwork and keep you dry and cool.

You can find this property in a wide range of farming base layers from simple t-shirts to more formal long-sleeved shirts. Seeland is a brilliant outdoor brand that offers a wide range of farming shirts in styles and materials to suit any job.

5. Winter Coat

Winter mornings on the farm can hit temperatures well below freezing, and with essential work that can’t be ignored, you’ll need a heavy-duty winter coat to keep safe and warm during your daily routine. You can choose from a wide range of options from thick fleeces that give you full coverage from harsh winds or fur-lined coats to keep safe in the snow.

Whatever style of farming coat you choose, if you’re wondering what to wear on a farm, you should always prioritise the finest, natural materials for your outerwear to ensure it lasts through every cold season.

6. Farming Gilet or Waistcoat

The brilliant thing about farmwear is that many outerwear options on the market allow you to layer up however you like. If you’re not a fan of bulky coats and you want the freedom of easy movement, then a farmer gilet or waistcoat is a brilliant choice.

This form of outerwear keeps your arms free for increased mobility whilst providing crucial warmth for your torso in chilly weather. You can purchase padded, fleece or quilted waistcoats that are perfect for layering on top of your farmer’s shirt or underneath thicker coats.

7. Farming Wellies

No farmer’s wardrobe is complete without a pair of farming wellies. This functional footwear is synonymous with farmwork and is essential for work in fields. Wellingtons are designed to be fully waterproof and allow you to walk through puddles, muddy fields and shrubbery whilst keeping your legs safe and dry.

Premium Wellington brands like Le Chameau offer additional features for maximum comfort to keep you cosy when on your feet all day. The insulated lining helps support your feet and keep you warm, whilst reinforced soles keep you sturdy on slippery and uneven ground.

Farming wellies also come in different styles, from modern Chelsea boots for a stylish statement to traditional knee-highs that offer full protection.

8. Sturdy Farm Work Boots

Owning acres of farmland means you’re likely to encounter a wide range of terrains, from grassy fields to rocky rural roads. Each day on the farm is also different, with jobs ranging from operating machinery to caring for cattle. To keep your feet protected during your diverse daily tasks, you need a pair of sturdy boots.

The right pair of farming boots will have steel toes to prevent injuries from heavy force on your feet. These boots should also have strong soles with deep grooves to increase stability in all environments. Leather is a brilliant material to look for when choosing your boots, as it offers a level of water resistance as well as durability.

For work in winter weather, many designs feature a fleece lining to keep your feet warm while remaining breathable to increase comfort and prevent overheating.

9. Sustainable Clothing and Materials

Farmers put a huge amount of effort into creating resources that are sustainable and organic while contributing to the local community. With this in mind, it makes sense that many farmers would translate these values into their clothing. When thinking about what to wear to a farm, focus on organic and ethically sourced materials like cotton and avoid polyester or plastic blends. Not only do these choices help the environment, but you’ll also be ensuring your clothes are durable and superior quality.

Find the Perfect Farmwear at Philip Morris & Son

Now that you know what every farmer needs in their wardrobe, it’s time to get yourself kitted in the highest quality clothing and accessories. At Philip Morris, we stock only the most respected country clothing brands and offer a range of specially made farming clothes to help make farm life easier.

Not only are we dedicated to stocking the finest products, but our team of dedicated experts offer a high-quality, helpful service. Whether you shop in-store or online, our team of experts will help you find the fit and style that's best for all your activities.

Get in touch today to transform your working wardrobe with Philip Morris & Son!