Outdoor Work clothing for the South East USA

August 14, 2022 7:27 PM

Got a great job working for a local farm, where I'll be delivering their produce. Any recommendations for outdoor clothing?

This is in the southeast of the united states, so there will be a lot of humidity and heat. I'm looking for underwear, shorts, and shirts that will help keep me cool and not make look like a giant wet ball. What type of fabric and/or clothing lines should I be looking at?

posted by clocksock to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (8 answers total)

My partner sometimes works outdoors, typically in Texas. He buys from Duluth Trading Company and has done so for years. They sell clothes for men and women. Check out the website; they have search options for things like "cooling", and the descriptions show what's good for hot weather (like coolmax, etc). Even their undergarments help keep you cool. I also believe some of their materials provide SPF protection. I don't remember the names, but I'm happy to ask him if you need them. The fabrics are specifically made to keep you cool, without looking wrinkled. They typically offer a discount for providing your email, and have frequent sales. I hope this helps. Good luck and congratulations on the job!
posted by racersix6 at 7:43 PM on August 14, 2022 [5 favorites]

Clothes is clothes, but we can we get a designation on how the underwear you wear is gendered? I wear “mens” and “womens” underwear both and my wife wears mens, so we have recommendations between the two of us but I need to know which way to recommend. :-)
posted by joycehealy at 7:47 PM on August 14, 2022 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Male gendered underwear.
posted by clocksock at 4:44 AM on August 15, 2022

Look for athletic/sports and hiking clothing made with wicking fabric. Also look for “sun shirts”—long sleeves but not stifling. Most “work clothes” (think Carhartt, Dickies) are made for durability and so tend to be heavy and thick. And you’re gonna want a hat if you’re going to be in the literal field at all. Get one that covers your neck!
posted by scratch at 6:00 AM on August 15, 2022 [1 favorite]

Former farmer here. Ask your new farmer bosses and coworkers what gear they like! It's a big, important topic of conversations amongst the farmer set where your clothes and footwear actually really matter to your personal comfort, safety and ability to do your job. I could talk about boots for hours, for example, but the folks working on that farm will have the best suggestions for what works for that operation. I even worked on a farm once where I got an info sheet in advance telling me what specific clothes and gear were necessary/desirable.
posted by sk932 at 6:44 AM on August 15, 2022 [3 favorites]

Yeah wicking shirts and long sleeve if you can stand it. I have a couple long sleeve shirts intended for hiking that I use for farming. They're light colored, wicking, and vented backs. They're pretty comfortable even on very warm days, though granted we don't usually have high humidity in the PNW. Look for shirts that also have the ties on the sleeves if you do want to roll them up-if you get roped into washing and packing for example.

Carhartt's does make lighter weight stuff but it is less durable. I'm a big fan of Carhartt's shorts. Get ones with lots of pockets. Also it seems pretty goofball but check out Sepratec underwear. They do actually work to keep parts from sticking to each other when you get sweaty. Be sure you get a version without cotton.
posted by sevenless at 10:36 AM on August 15, 2022

Another vote for Duluth Trading. I have pants for work from there that have held up for over five years. They have a line "Armachillo" that is supposed to help keep you cool (I work in a cold room, so I have not gotten into that line). I have absolutely no complaints about any of the products I've gotten from this company; my brother is a master plumber and purchases lots of work clothing from here as well.
posted by annieb at 5:28 PM on August 15, 2022

I’m a big fan of the Columbia Tamiami shirts. You can get them long sleeved and UPF 50, but the material is very light and dries fast. Also ExOfficio underwear (Duluth Trading has their Buck Naked underwear that’s very very similar.) What you want to avoid is cotton. Cotton holds on to moisture, and that is a Very Bad Thing not just for staying cooler in humid weather, but also for chafing and blisters.
posted by azpenguin at 10:35 PM on August 16, 2022