Garage Attire

[kwb]

I have always been a jeans and T/sweatshirt kind of guy in the shop.

Lately I get such limited time that getting changed into "shop" clothes and changed back to do things in "civilized company" has me thinking Coveralls.

I am a large guy 6'4" 280+ so fit of a jump suit is a concern.

Lab coat style is an option but I have a habit of crawling around on floors and that is going to dirty up the pants in a hurry.

Work in shop for me can consist of steel fabrication/welding, woodworking, fiberglass, paint&body type work.

Any suggestions for what works for you?

 

[bigredcornhead]

I have been wearing a denim apron when i do certain things...Its convenient as hell with the pockets keeps my white t-shirts white....so the wife don't complain...and i always have a rag to wipe parts with lol. Denim apron isn't a bad way to go if you ask me

 

[Steevo]

I am thinking lab coat for my shop.
Primarily because I have seen a couple of guys wandering around Home Depot or Lowes in their coverall/jumpsuits, and all I could think of was to ask my wife to never let me leave the house looking like that.

 

[Lippyp]

I can't find a boiler suit (overalls) to fit me, I'm 6'3" tall and a big guy but my problem is my height is in my body not my legs so they're all too short between shoulders and crutch so if I lift my arms up it ahem tends to lift and seperate downstairs, a touch distracting when trying to work under a car when your nuts are under your armpits. I stick with work trousers and old t-shirts now. I have a leather apron for welding/grinding work.

 

[coolreed]

Unless it is cold I love to wear gym shorts, cotton tee and ankle socks while tinkering in the garage. I ruin alot of tee shirts and socks but I can buy more. If I am performing heavy duty stuff I put on shoes, apron and the proper safety equip.
I love hanging out in my garage tinkering, woodworking , restoring and just waiting on something to break so I can make it better.
At ease.

 

[larry_g]

For me most life is spent on overalls till the temperatures get cold then its coveralls. I also live on a farm so unlike Steevo I am unconcerned with how I look. In the summer I try to wear the overalls 2-4" large in the waist and that allows some ventilation.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[softailgarage]

I've been known to wear a machinist apron, they're loose, comfortable and keeps the **** off ya.

 

[Wadd2]

Shorts and t-shirt, all times of the year. Comfortable. I have gojo in the shower so I can get clean. I'm one of those guys walking around that looks like he just got done rolling in grease and oil sometimes because I did, lol. Couldn't care less what people think. Wife isn't bothered by it either!

 

[Transman304]

I have been using a denim apron for years. Do most work at the bench and have a bad habit of holding up work and using my belly as an extended workbench. Also helps with keeping stink off,nothing like the smell of a chrysler transmission that ate its converter. You carry that smell for DAYS!!!

 

[JCQuick]

Being a Florida native shorts,tee shirt, flip flops unless I'm doing something that that could hurt my toes I will swap the flops for shoes
I have an apron by the parts washer I put on when washing parts

 

[LutzTD]

Being a Florida native shorts,tee shirt, flip flops unless I'm doing something that that could hurt my toes I will swap the flops for shoes
I have an apron by the parts washer I put on when washing parts

yep, shorts and tees. I buy the tees at champs or walmart for $3-4 each, always get the thicker material ones which are getting harder and harder to find. Tees are accepted attire for normal life in FLA so mine progress from clean everyday use, to not so clean, worn or stained, garage use, to cant stand stains car wash use. The shorts go through the same progession, unfortunately sometimes I visit the shop and excellerate the "to garage" step

 

[uncletater]

I like these for working

http://www.armedworkwear.com/products/khaki-work-pants/

Built in knee pads are nice also.

 

[hh76]

I'm a big fan of coveralls when it isn't too hot in the garage. I like the idea of coming home and going directly into the shop, rather than having to run in the house to change. I guess an apron, or lab coat might suffice, but I do a lot of kneeling when working on bikes. I've got three pair, one insulated, and two not.

Biggest pain in the but are the pair I have that have shorter zippers on the legs. Makes them a real hassle to get on and off over boots.

 

[Outlawmws]

Lab coat for messy stand up work, and large sheets of cardboard for when I have to "roll around on the floor" Lab coat is easy on and off, and the cardboard is reasonably easy to get, and easy to dispose of when it's too messy, and it s a lot easier to get around when on your back on the smooth cardboard.

Coveralls can be had for a 6' 4" person (I have a pair someone gave me even though I'm not near that big, but one of my son's buddy's is, and he was shocked when they fit him...) but you need to go to a "real" uniform supply house, not the local store, as those are not sold enough for them to bother stocking.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I am thinking lab coat for my shop.
Primarily because I have seen a couple of guys wandering around Home Depot or Lowes in their coverall/jumpsuits, and all I could think of was to ask my wife to never let me leave the house looking like that.

I'm afraid I'm that guy.

And my wife tries her best to stop me.

 

[dandan111]

I had to talk to some guys at a ford plant one time. They were large older men,coveralls unzipped down to their belly buttons. No shirts underneath,very creepy experience.

 

[Kevin54]

Check this out for Big Men http://www.bigmen.com/overalls/index.html

WallyWorld carries Dickies for big men http://www.walmart.com/ip/Dickies-Big-Tall-Men-s-Short-Sleeve-Poplin-Coveralls/7977354

Dickies carries Dickies for big men http://www.dickies.com/mens-clothing/mens-coveralls.jsp

 

[Big Gus]

I'm about the same size as the OP and I have a long lab style coat that I use when doing something quick and not wanting to change clothes to do so. It works well for me. Not so great for keeping clean rolling around on the floor, but awesome for other tasks. I recommend it.

Mine is similar to this coat, but long sleeve. My coat is also long and goes down to my knees.

http://www.automotiveworkwear.com/RedKap/KP44/Medical-Lab-Coats.html

 

[5lima30]

Low tech for me. Usually leather boots, carpenter pants (Dickies & Carharts) and 100% cotton T-shirt (short sleeve in summer long sleeve in winter) also usually Dickies or Carhart. This also happens to be my everyday attire.

 

[Zeke]

I find wiggling into coveralls is a total PITA. Don't think I could do the farmer's overalls. It's just a SoCal thing, guys. So, I ruin a lot of clothes. OK since I start my shirts out as casual dress, migrate them to work shirts for on-the-job and take them into the garage when they get too shabby.

Jack's wife would surely stop me from hitting the HD in my shop shirt. But, at least I'm not there in a tank top.

 

[bdkruger1]

You dont have to worry about trashing clothes if you dont wear any.

 

[trbomax]

I'm jeans,cut offs,t shirt all the time mostly because there isnt any time when I'm NOT working here,either with the animals,shop,yard,ect. I dont have time to "pretty up" if I have to go to town,if they dont want my money lookin like I do most of the time,**** 'em,somebody else will.

 

[woodrail]

You dont have to worry about trashing clothes if you dont wear any.

glad I'm not the only one that has "naked day" in the shop. Just got watchout for that belt sander!

 

[jvitez]

When my jeans and chinos get ragged, they get moved to garage use. Same with long sleeved dress shirts, which keeps oil and crud from getting all over my bare arms if I'm under a vehicle. I even have button-down garage shirts with monograms.

I thought of a lab coat/overall arrangement, but I know I'd still manage to grub up the clothes underneath. So I just change clothes.

I think a combo of a lab-coat and coveralls would be what you'd need though. Lab coat for bench-only work, and coveralls for dragging-stuff-across-your-leg jobs.

 

[Doxhog]

Normally Carhartt jeans and cotton tee shirts. Put on a sweatshirt during cool/cold weather (heated shop). I do have some coveralls that I purchased at an auction (former auto mechanic) that are great for when I know I am going to get really dirty.

 

[wedge40]

You dont have to worry about trashing clothes if you dont wear any.

You dont weld do you???

Wedge

 

[bdkruger1]

You dont weld do you???

Wedge

Actually, I've been in the trade for 24 years. I'm also a CWI.

 

[Falcon67]

My good jeans and shirts hang (yes, especially the race type T-shirts). On the other side of the closet is a shelf with the "work clothes". I have found that Sams Club "Member's Mark" jeans are a bit fat in the seat. Since I work my glutes to keep the ladies interested, I don't like to wear them out in public. But they are cheap and put up with bending, stooping, rolling in it and such and won't tear out at the seams, so I stock those for shop and yard work. They run like $14 or so - good price for trashing out. And there is no shortage of T-shirts stained in various ways to top off the ensemble. I also park my good tennis shoes in there and wear the older model set outside. I keep two or three bulky sweat tops for winter work.

 

[c_mccann]

Machinist apron.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If I'm doing some fab work or welding, I ususally put on my welding jacket. It's just a cheap green one but it has saved many simple Tees from burn holes.

 

[crewchief888]

most of the time it's an oil stained t shirt, and old uniform company work pants.

old long sleeve work shirt when it gets a little chilly

oil stained sweatshirts
welders "greens" (i find them in thrift stores quite often)
oil stained, long sleeve T shirts

i ruin a lot of shirts, due to oil stains, at work, so i always have an abundant supply.

if it's really cold, insulated bibs, work (garage type) jackets, along with my oil stained long johns, sweatshirts, ect.

i seem to be developing a pattern of oil stained clothes.

you know the reason why real bikers wear black shirts?

hides the oil stains better

 

[Sachseguy]

Be careful what you wear when you make that quick trip to HD or Walmart to pick up something you forgot for your project. You don't want to become famous as one of the "People of Walmart"

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

 

[elguappo]

If you want coveralls to fit, try an industrial uniform store, like Barebones Workwear or Dickies.
I used to work for an industriail uniform company, and I took home more than a few work coveralls. Look in your area for a G&K Services, Cintas or Aramark branch that might sell you either used or new to order coveralls.
Yeah you can look like a homeless guy, but you arent wearing them to be cool.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I did the overalls thing and it got old. I usually wear jeans and a blue or grey T-shirt while in the shop. I also keep a couple of clean Hawaiian shirts and carhart shirts on the hook next to the door. If I need to run out for something I throw one of those shirts over what I'm wearing and at least I don't look like I crawled out from under a car.

Chris

 

[ScubaSteve]

Coveralls. I've learned that the hard way because I've ruined a lot of decent casual jeans/t-shirts with paint and grease.

Never be ashamed of having a little dirt under your fingernails at a home depot. As long as you don't look like you crawled out of a crankcase, I see nothing wrong with Carhartt's, coveralls, etc. I find I get "the nod" from the old guy in the plumbing section and the employees pretty much leave me the hell alone because I look like I know what I'm doing. Now there's a scary thought

 

[wornoutoldman]

My summers spent in Wisconsin typically find me out in the garage wearing underwear (boxer briefs) and a t-shirt. Now that I'm back in San diego for the winter my wardrobe hasn't changed. One small benefit of retirement.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Old jeans, old T shirts and old truly crappy athletic shoes.

 

[luvit]

button down shirt with the sleeves cut off
khaki shorts with the big cargo side pockets
flip flops or heavy leather shoes with black socks

i have a clean set ready in-case got filthy and i need to run to the store.
that's rare though.. i work slow to keep cool and clean, not make mistakes -- and most of all to make sure i don't hurt myself.

i hate overalls
.

 

[e30bradley]

jeans t-shirt. Or long sleeve/short sleeve 'work shirt' or when its cold a heavy carheart sweatshirt. and BOOTS. I Used to have steel toe, now I have regulars and they are more comfortable but their have been a few times where a steel toe saved my ***..or my foot.

 

[krivasgarage]

Dickies workshirt, short sleeves and shorts for the summer. Long sleeves and retired jeans in the winter. Slip on steel toed shoes. Denim Apron.