Warm work clothes for kids/modest mom

[rinadav7]

I know this is probably one of the least important decisions/purchases I have in front of me as an about-to-be-newbie homesteader, but what is the best/most important gear to outfit my kids (boys ages 9,8,6,5 and 3 yo dd), my husband and myself for Missouri winters? Are there certain boots that are recommended? Jackets that won't tear on every tree limb? rugged options that wash well? Gloves made to withstand farm work? What about the one piece coverall outfits that I see people in when doing really messy jobs with cows or goats in winter? Where do you shop for these things? Online? Best brands? We buy everything at thrift stores now, and are never particular about brands, but grab Land's End stuff when we find it at the thrift stores, and appreciate the better quality. What should I start buying now?

[Becka03]

WOW- I need to think about this-
but on the other hand- I am praying for you- 5 boys!?!?!? Bless your heart! I have me and my 2 boys- and DH- and I feel like installing a Urinal- LOL I can't imagine having 5!

[jwal10]

Carhartt. Muck boots...James

[rinadav7]

Becka, why do you think I want to move to a homestead?! We are NOT a typical homesteading family - none of us grew up with any agricultural experience, and my husband actually started out with a true dislike of animals. But G-d sent us BOYS, real BOYS, the old-fashioned, Dennis the Menace type. Instead of drugging them into oblivion so that they can sit still in a classroom, we realized they just needed more dirt and fresh air in their lives. homeschooling them has been wonderful, but now we want to take it a step further, and make sure they learn to work diligently, take responsablity, and have fun doing it. Oh, and now that momma is done having babies, she wants to raise goats and make cheese! So we are off to a homestead.

[dizzy]

Do you have a Tractor Supply in your area? If so, look in there for Carhartts. They come in both kids and adult sizes and have different colors as well. Personally speaking, I prefer the bib overalls and the jacket to the one piece coveralls. I think they keep you warmer. When it's really cold out, I'll wear a vest as well.

As for your feet, socks are actually more important. Your feet sweat and if you don't have on the correct socks, the moisture is held next to your feet. And that makes your feet freeze! I can't wear wool, and am still searching for the best sock combination.

[gweny]

Carhart! For sure. Also, if it's just for working in why not buy clothes at goodwill or other re-run stores? I keep boxes of tyvek coveralls around for real messy jobs. Also, a weeks worth of long johns for everybody!

[Becka03]

I love it!!! Glad you found the board stick around I have learned SO much here!!!!!! I hope to get to "know " you better!!!!

[Smallfarm]

Sierra Trading Post has great values on Carhartt, wolverine,work boots, hats, gloves and much more. Get on their email list and save even more.

[BigHenTinyBrain]

Carhartt can be expensive. Any brand of duck pants (that's the material) would be a good place to start. We like Dickies, too- very affordable and sturdier than they look.

[bluemoonluck]

Carhartt is expensive but you can pass them down among your boys and all 5 of them will out-grow it before it wears out This is a great time of year to find end-of-winter sales on coats/snow gear. You can also check out eBay in the Fall, people clean out their kids' closets and find out that they've outgrown their winter stuff, so they sell it.

Welcome!!

[am1too]

Originally Posted by rinadav7

I know this is probably one of the least important decisions/purchases I have in front of me as an about-to-be-newbie homesteader, but what is the best/most important gear to outfit my kids (boys ages 9,8,6,5 and 3 yo dd), my husband and myself for Missouri winters? Are there certain boots that are recommended? Jackets that won't tear on every tree limb? rugged options that wash well? Gloves made to withstand farm work? What about the one piece coverall outfits that I see people in when doing really messy jobs with cows or goats in winter? Where do you shop for these things? Online? Best brands? We buy everything at thrift stores now, and are never particular about brands, but grab Land's End stuff when we find it at the thrift stores, and appreciate the better quality. What should I start buying now?

I've never used special clothing for country farm living. There is no such thing as perfect.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Depending on where you live, there may be a Bass Pro Shop outlet store nearby. There are TWO in my part of southern Missouri! Great deals on tough clothing.

[rinadav7]

Yes, I think there is a Bass outlet near the area of Missouri we are looking at, great suggestion. I really have the kind of kids who jump first and think later. I think pain is an excellent teacher, and for these kinds of kids, talk is cheap. They will have a quick learning curve on a farm. But I don't want to do laundry all. day. long. Nor do I want to throw out ripped clothes, especially coats. Might pay to spend more once.

[goatlady]

Personally I prefer Wall coverall to Carharts - the Carharts are way too stiff for me to move freely in. My WAll insulated coveralls are over 15 years old and not a rip in them yet and all the zippers work perfectally. Long jones are a must and I wear sweats a LOT! THe coveralls are used over the other clothes and really do keep the "regular" clothes clean and dry. I wash my coveralls when ever the are REALLY grouty, maybe 2-3 times in the winter depending on what is going on. I have 2 pair of unlined, lightweight, short sleeved coveralls to wear in the spring/summer for clothes protection also. Insulated boots for snow days, regular black rubber boots for spring/summer/fall barn and garden work. I wear knitted fingerless gloves for milking, egg gathering, etc and a nice pair of leather driving gloves for hauling wood and other chores. Have several pairs of stretchy on the back, rubber on the fingers/palms for garden work - good grip and sensitivity and washable. Hats are handy for sure or kntted/woven head scarves to cut the wind and keep the ears warm!

[rinadav7]

For me, I only wear skirts, and know I must not be the only one out there, but I haven't seen many options for modest farm work clothing. Of course, the standard long jean skirt will become my go-to clothing choice, i am sure. I actually do own a bib coverall that I found at a thrift store a few years ago (only $6!) that I would wear in the winter when cleaning out the chicken coop in our suburban backyard. I would put a jean skirt on over it, with the skirt unzipped so that I could wriggle it over the coveralls. It was really cumbersome, but got the job done. Any better suggestions?

[Cookie2]

#1 - Don't buy anything now. Don't buy until you get there and actually need something.

#2 - Layers, layers, layers.

#3 - Wool. Silk or poly for the layer close to the skin. Avoid cotton like the plague.

#4 - You'll get used to the cold.

[DaleK]

Thrift stores should be fine to start off with. Look for lined denim jackets, big enough to layer under. Lots of hoodies. They'll get used to it. We've been getting up close to freezing lately, I've been comfortable in jeans and a hoodie.

[COWS]

Re: warm socks: Try socks made from Alpaca wool. They have a good cushioning effect and feel like you are walking on air. The claim is that they are warm in winter and cool in summer, but I couldn't testify as to that, but they are warm and breathe nicely. Caution: they are expensive. I think it's Lanart.com that is a source of them. I have to wear orthopedic socks so i can't wear them now.

COWS

[Yvonne's hubby]

Originally Posted by rinadav7

Yes, I think there is a Bass outlet near the area of Missouri we are looking at, great suggestion. I really have the kind of kids who jump first and think later. I think pain is an excellent teacher, and for these kinds of kids, talk is cheap. They will have a quick learning curve on a farm. But I don't want to do laundry all. day. long. Nor do I want to throw out ripped clothes, especially coats. Might pay to spend more once.

I grew up on a farm in a similar climate although a bit colder than Missouri. Levi pants and jackets, flannel shirts worked well for us. In the very coldest weather a tshirt under the flannel shirts and jackets seemed to be quite sufficient. That was years ago before Levi became fashion wear. They were stiff as a board and wore like iron. They came with a free replacement guarantee if you ever busted a seam. Today they are purposely "worn out" by machines in the factory... not the dark blue heavy material that we got back then. TSC handles good blue jeans... wrangler brand and a few others. They also carry plenty of good shirts at reasonable prices. As someone else mentioned... NOW is the time to get the bargains for next winters clothes.
When I was growing up us boys got two new pair of pants and two new shirts a year. We changed as soon as we got home from school and hung those on the nail we got our play/work clothes off of. Wednesday night was bath night and we got to wear our other "new" clothes thursday and friday. Weekends we wore work clothes. Mom did laundry once a week so we had to take care of what we had. Torn clothes were mended by hand.... by the one who ripped them.

[Win07_351]

Wear Guard (catalog/internet) has some nice quality coats, work clothes, and coveralls reasonably and usually has deals on shipping if you order a certain $$ amount. I've ordered quite a few warm clothes and coveralls from them and the quality is excellent.