Construction Site Work Clothing

[Looby4]

Hello - just wondering if anyone out there works in construction and can advise where I might find smart, feminine, yet practical trousers for site visits? I recently started work for a consultancy as a project manager and will, from now, on be going to building sites once a week. My employers have provided boots, hi-vis vets and warm jacket, helmet, goggles and gloves. We aren't allowed to wear jeans. I asked the only other woman in my company and she said she bought her black combat trousers from Evans, but I am only a size 10 and buy petite trousers where possible, although could get some shortened. I can't find combat trousers in black anywhere except summer cropped ones. Can anyone help?? Thanks in advance

[Littleturkish]

What about very thick leggings type trousers? Like treggings? Topshop have some really nice thick pairs that would be comfortable and practical?

[MrsLettuce]

No idea on the quality of these but they fit the brief and no bother if they get ruined at that price either, I suppose.

[grumblepuss]

How about walking trousers? Craghoppers? North face et all?

[RaisingSteam]

I work in construction and have made a bit of a mission of better site clothing. Do make sure you have a proper ladies hi vis jacket btw, Arco do a good one. For site visits I tend to wear black fine cords or chinos, not too wide as I tend to tuck them into dark hiking socks so they don't trail in mud. It's difficult to get the balance of looking smart enough if you are in management, but also practically dressed for the environment so nobody thinks "poor little woman obviously has no idea where she is. I try to wear something more feminine as a top/scarf etc. Hth.

[RaisingSteam]

IIRC Gap have some black stretch trousers that are sort of informal work wear.

[DocDaneeka]

YY to cords or chinos.

I find brown or v dark green hide site dust better than black. I wear a dark long sleeve t and put a smart ish jacket over it if I need to impress in the office or meeting rooms.

Ps the ladies Arco jacket doesn't have as many pockets as the 'men's ' one.

[UniS]

Craghopper kiwi trews work for me as smart (ish when newish) practical trousers. Lots of pockets, hard wearing.

[DocDaneeka]

Oh god yes to that raising

I need to look smart enough that it's obvious I'm in charge, but not so smart I might be seen to be 'decorative' and out of my element.

Sigh.

I have recently discovered nice scarves. After 20 years working on sites.

[BikeRunSki]

In a similar job, I wear these. They are essentially plain black (black stitching, solid colour) stretch cotton trousers, even if Next choose to call them jeans.

[RaisingSteam]

DocDaneeka I've just got my new jacket after 20 years of a knee length oblong bloke-jacket so I didn't care! ISWYM about the pockets but I normally have so much stuff I have to take a bag anyway - drawings/specs, notebook, camera,etc. Crumpler do good bags.

If anyone has to do rail/highway/earthworks sites with hi vis trousers, I have just taken delivery of a pair of these and they are a great fit.

[Capitola]

I work in construction. I feel your pain.

I can't wear anything remotely flappy as I have to climb a lot of ladders so I wear tight jegging type things, usually black or dark grey, which can get away with not being called jeans.

I tend to demote non work wear periodically, which could explain why I am currently attending site in some skin tight coated jeggings that I was wearing out with a glittery top last winter!

[DocDaneeka]

bikerun I wondered if you would spot this. I remember you from previous threads and I think we are in a similar line of work.

op I wear these for summer:

www.newlook.com/shop/womens/trousers-and-shorts/blue-lightweight-belted-chinos_311091540

They do loads of colours, inc. black and are not unflattering!

raising I'm crap with bags! So I love pockets! But yes to having to store camera, A1 drawings, pens, pencils, can of spray paint, tape measure snacks etc! I can strongly recommend bringing the apprentice and bribing them with tea to carry all your stuff (!) :)

[BikeRunSki]

I'm quite lucky, in that I work for a very large organisation who have field staff (environmental scientists, ecologists, water quality folk etc) and civil engineers. There are do many of us nationwide that we have proper women's cut kit as well as men's. The Env Scientist get combats, polo shirts, thin and thick fleeces and rely good waterproofs, wellies and walking boots. The Civils get all that, but with long and short high vis jackets and hi vis sallopettes instead of the waterproofs. I get both, along with lovely logo'ed poly blouses for office days. These have not even come out of the packaging!

One of my sites has just finished. For the very last site meeting - when all the plant had been demobbed and there was nothing left to do or see - I wore a shift dress. Just because I could.

[Looby4]

Thanks for your advice everyone - really appreciate it. I bought Craghoppers and they are working well and will compensate with nice tops and scarves! I've also requested a woman's ARCO jacket! X

[mamijacacalys]

We get our PPE from Swift and they have recently launched a 'ladies' range of specifically cut combat trousers etc.
Have not ordered anything yet, but if you are petite and struggle with getting small enough bog standard kit, this may help. (I am tall and wide so never have this problem!)
HTH

[FunkyBoldRibena]

I used to wear combats when on site; black or green. With indie band t-shirts and my pink pigtails. Happy days.