Here's What to Wear While Gardening, According to Experts

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Whether you’re grow summer flowers or herbs in raised beds, or if you’re simply a doting houseplant parent, the right gardening clothes can make your work much easier. Sure, you can throw on a pair of old jeans and a tee, but that’s not always the best choice. Jeans don’t let you stretch and kneel easily when you’re planting a garden, and a tee won’t protect you from bug bites, scratches from branches, and sunburn.

The best gardening clothes make your chores simple, while also protecting you from the elements. We interviewed garden experts who spend their days working with plants, both indoors and out. We also tested many of these products to ensure they’re durable, practical and, well, cute! No one said you don’t have to look cute when you’re working in the garden!

Whether you’re a novice or expert gardener, you need some basics to protect yourself in the garden. First, think about what you regularly spend time doing in your garden. Weeding? Digging? Pruning? The tasks define your needs.

But there are some items that are non-negotiable. “I can’t work without boots with good traction,” says Kat Aul Cervoni, professional landscape designer and founder of Staghorn NYC and The Cultivation by Kat. “I wear some sort of boots year-round when in the garden.”

Another essential? “Everyone needs gardening gloves,” says Stacey Hirvela, horticulturist for Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs. “I used to be a no-gloves kind of person, but then I found out the skin on my hands hurts after working with no gloves. Why deal with that when it’s so simple to put on a pair of gloves. They make cleanup so much easier, too, and there are so many great options nowadays.”

Read on to learn the best gardening clothes for every garden chore:

Whether you grow summer flowers or herbs in raised beds, you need the right gardening clothes that allow you to bend and move without discomfort. Sure, you can throw on a pair of old jeans and a tee, but let's be honest: Jeans can bind and cut in when you’re kneeling and weeding, and a tee doesn't protect you from bug bites, scratchy branches, and sunburn. The best gardening clothes protect you from the elements and make your time in the garden more enjoyable and productive.

To find the best gardening clothes, we interviewed experts who spend their days landscaping and working in nurseries and greenhouses. We also tested products in our own gardens to ensure they’re durable, practical, comfortable — and cute!

Whether you’re a novice or expert gardener, you want to start with some basics. “I can’t work without boots with good traction,” says Kat Aul Cervoni, professional landscape designer and founder of Staghorn NYC and The Cultivation by Kat. “I wear some sort of boots year-round when in the garden.”

Another essential? “Everyone needs gardening gloves,” says Stacey Hirvela, horticulturist for Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs. “I used to be a no-gloves kind of person, but then I found out the skin on my hands hurts after working without them. Why deal with that when it’s so simple to put on a pair of gloves? They make cleanup so much easier, too, and there are so many great options nowadays.”

Read on for our top picks — including clothes, hats, footwear, and other gear — that are comfy and cute for every garden chore.

Best Gardening Clothes

Quarter-Zip Sun Protection Shirt

Short sleeves are never a good idea when gardening, says Cervoni. She opts for long-sleeves to protect arms from bug bites, branches and sunburn.

We like this Baleaf shirt because it's inexpensive and comes in a ton of colors and sizes with built-in sun protection. At this price, you can afford to get a few to keep on hand. It's also available in a long-sleeved pull-over crew neck style.

Women's Heirloom Gardening Bib Overalls

With a huge following among both casual and professional gardeners, these super-durable overalls boast roomy cargo pockets for stashing everything from seed packets to pruners. "These are popular with a lot of my colleagues in the nursery," says Hirvela.

The lightweight, ripstop fabric isn't too hot on sweltering days, and the knees are reinforced, with pockets to slip in kneeling pads. They also have 50UPF sun protection built in. Oh, and did we mention they come in solid colors and adorable prints, too, including this pair covered in cute, little gnomes?

Cades Cove Full Zip Hoodie

When you need a lightweight layer, this jacket is just right. Slim-fitting but not constrictive, it won't get in the way when you're raking leaves or doing spring cleanups.

Our editors who have tried this hoodie say it survived wash after wash and still looks good after several years of moderate wear. It's also a great layering piece for cool mornings.

Heirloom Gardening Apron Smock

Sometimes you need to toss something over your regular clothes to go out for a quick weeding session or to harvest the bounty of your garden. We love this apron smock because it's made of ripstop fabric designed to resist tears and abrasions.

We love that the fold-up front skirt zips on the sides to form a large pocket for carrying freshly-picked produce. It's also lightweight so it's not too hot on sweltering days, and it's rated UPF 50 to protect your skin.

Women's BeanFlex Utility Jacket

For those early spring or mid-fall days in the garden when it's chilly, we prefer a mid-weight shirt jacket that doesn't bind.

We like this one because it's mostly made from breathable cotton with a little elastine to make it flexible. Plus, it comes in multiple colors and regular, petite and plus sizes for the perfect fit.

DuluthFlex Fire Hose Relaxed Cargo Pants

Both Cervoni and Hirvela say pants with lots of pockets are a must-have for a day of gardening.

We like these for their flexible feel, stain-repellant finish, huge pockets, and our favorite feature: The Pokey Pocket where you can store sharp tools like your pruners without having to worry about them poking through the fabric.

Best Gardening Hats

Standard Airflo Hat

With a water repellant finish and a sun protection rating of UPF 50, this wide-brimmed hat offers plenty of protection in the garden. Mesh allows air to flow through so you won't overheat.

Cervoni says these hats are one of her favorites because they're lightweight, offer great sun protection, and last forever. Just make sure to measure your head to find the right size.

Wide Brim No Fly Zone Hat

Don't you just love it when those nasty black flies buzz around your head when you're working outdoors? Yeah, neither do we! This wide-brimmed hat with built-in odorless insect repellant keeps biting pests such as black flies, mosquitoes, and midges out of your face.

We found it adjusted easily to fit the head snugly, but without binding. The super-wide brim is ideal for keeping sun out of your face when working, while side flaps can be raised for additional cooling.

Adults' Tropicwear Outback Hat

A wide brim and UPF rating make this hat ideal for gardening. Plus, it's lightweight and comes in several colors.

But most of all, we like this hat because of the optional neck protection. The back flap tucks away when not in use, but it's handy when it's extra-hot and sunny to protect the back of your neck.

Best Gardening Boots

Women's Hi-Line Chelsea Boots

Boots with a hard sole are essential when you're doing chores such as digging so you can place your foot on the step edge of the shovel without slipping.

Cervoni says these have a thick sole with medium support for those days when you're doing a lot of planting of shrubs or large perennials. And they're cute enough for street wear!

Profi-Birki Garden Clogs

These clogs, made by the company renowned for its well-constructed and comfortable shoes, are non-slip with good support. When needed, you can hose them off, or they are machine washable.

Hirvela keeps them by her back door so she can pop out to the garden for quick harvesting trips.

Women's Bean Boots With 7" Fleece-Lined Front-Zip

Boots with lug soles are a must for gardening. "I like these because they're easy-on and off, have good traction, and are durable and warm for chilly days," says Cervoni.

The rugged sole means you're not slipping around in mud or slush, while the fleece lining is warm enough for both spring rains and winter messes. Although the iconic brand also offers lace-up versions, Cervoni prefers the front zip for ease of removal.

Women's Muckster II Mid Boot

These boots feature a neoprene upper that's waterproof but not too sweaty on even the hottest days. You can tuck your pants into these boots, or fold the cuffs over if you prefer a lower height. The mid-height also feels less awkward than knee-high boots when kneeling.

When trying out these boots, we found them to be super-durable, surviving two seasons of heavy use without losing their 100% waterproof feature. They're also lightweight and super-easy to slip off and on.

Best Gardening Clogs

Women's Garden Clogs

If you're looking for a reasonably-priced pair of garden shoes, this pair has a lug sole to keep you from slipping and sliding on muddy forays into the garden.

We like that you can hose them off easily and that the neoprene collar keeps dirt and moisture out. But be aware they tend to run a tad small. On the plus side, they come in the cutest patterns!

Women's Muckster Lite EVA Clog

These lightweight garden clogs are another solid choice. They have good traction and air flow and can be quickly hosed off for cleaning.

We like these because they're cushier under foot than many other brands, so these might be a good choice for you if you prefer a softer feel. But heads up that they tend to run a bit large and wide.

Best Gardening Gloves

Thorn Proof Garden Gloves with Gauntlets

These goatskin leather gloves with long gauntlets that come to your elbows protect your arms from twigs and thorns when pruning roses and shrubs. They also come in several different sizes for a perfect fit.

In our tests, these gloves lasted through several seasons of hard wear, including digging and planting, pruning, and trimming. They're our hands-down favorites for solid protection at an extremely reasonable price.

Nitrile-Coated Gloves (10-Pack)

Nitrile-coated gloves provide excellent dexterity when you're doing tasks such as weeding. Hirvela says they're her go-to because they're lightweight, protective, and flexible. Plus, they scrunch up in your pocket when not in use.

We like these because they're budget-priced for a pack of 10. They're also machine washable or can be rinsed with the hose if they're super-filthy.

Women's Hybrid Work/Gardening Gloves

These USA-made hybrid work/gardening gloves are water resistant to keep your hands drier. The leather palm and reinforced leather finger tips help them last longer, too.

We like that they come in three sizes and have an adjustable wrist closure, which helps keep dirt out of your gloves.

Gardening and Utility Work Gloves

These canvas and synthetic leaves gloves are designed specifically to fit a woman's hands. They provide good dexterity and don't bunch up when you're working. Plus, they're machine washable and touch-screen capable.

Cervoni says these are ones she uses for lightweight chores such as raking.

Best Sunscreens for Gardening

transparent Zinc Oxide Sunscreen (3-Pack)

Okay, it's not gardening clothing, but you absolutely should be wearing sunscreen in the garden, especially because most of us are out there when the rays are at their max potency.

Cervoni swears by this formula from Neutrogena because it's SPF 50, lightweight, and has a pleasant texture that doesn't feel thick or sticky.

Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50

Another option is this tinted sunscreen that also has a light sheen and SPF 50. (It's also available in a non-tinted version.)

Our editors have found that this sunscreen lasts through a lot of sweating, doesn't feel sticky, and most of all, doesn't cause breakouts. It's our favorite for sensitive skin.

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