This is why farmers like to wear jeans

Why do farmers wear jeans? Although denim started as workwear for miners in the 19th century, farmers eventually embraced jeans as practical clothing for everyday farm work. In this article, I’ll explain why jeans became so popular among farmers and what they used to wear before denim.

Lees dit artikel in het Nederlands op Prettybusiness.nl – klik hier.

Farmers with white stockings and farmwives without underwear

Although work trousers such as the jeans we know today entered the market in 1873, farmers did not immediately start wearing them. Instead, they continued to wear traditional costumes until 1918. A farmer’s work clothing usually consisted of a short jacket and overalls made from coarse linen or woolen cloth. Under the jacket, farmers wore one or sometimes two undershirts. This type of blouse was layered over another shirt. In addition, the underpants were very long and farmers fastened them below the knee with straps.

When farmers wanted to dress more formally, they chose a black suit instead. This outfit included a jacket, waistcoat, knee-length trousers, and high woolen stockings.

On weekdays, farmwives usually wore a long skirt with black and white stripes, combined with a woolen apron. In contrast to today’s clothing, they did not wear jackets, leaving their arms bare. To complete the outfit, they covered their heads with a white undercap and a black silk cap on top.

To carry personal items, farmwives used a black velvet or linen shoulder bag, which they tied around the waist with a belt. Interestingly, women did not wear underwear until around 1880. The first underpants consisted of a top with two separate trouser legs attached to it, but without a crotch.

This is why farmers like to wear jeans

Today, farmers wear regular underwear, and most farmwives have said goodbye to the long skirt. Convenience serves the modern human, and you can see that reflected in work clothing too.

Many farmers in 2023 wear jeans because they have their advantages:

1. Denim can withstand a lot and won’t tear easily. This is ideal for the physical work that a farmer does daily.
2. Jeans are relatively inexpensive. And since a farmer’s work is expensive enough, they don’t spend unnecessary money on clothing.
3. Farmers spend a lot of time outdoors, increasing the chance of scratches and scrapes on the legs. Jeans are an ideal garment for protecting your legs.
4. When farmers work outside in the summer, they are constantly exposed to the sun. Denim protects against UV radiation, so they don’t get sunburned.
5. A pair of jeans is very comfortable. This is also a significant reason why many farmers choose them.

It’s no wonder that farmers all over the world have become attached to their jeans. There’s nothing like your comfortable jeans that you already wear in your free time.

Best regards,

Aileen

Want to read more about workwear in the agricultural industry?

Also check:

• Agricultural industry sounds the alarm: too little women’s workwear
• Work trousers with knee pads and pockets: the full history