Building site clothes!

[Questionsquestions23]

I am a older woman who has just got a job labouring on a building site!! Whoop whoop! Now I have the site trousers with all the pockets - I can’t wear a belt as so uncomfortable when I bend over all day and my top rides up a bit at the back and I really don’t want a builders bum! So please any tops that would work - considering a body top but would it give an uncomfortable feeling? And long t shirts? And suggestions please with a link if possible - I have quite a long body xxx thanks in advance no boobage either please xxx

I'd just wear a longline vest under you t shirt so if it does ride up all you see is the vest material. Congratulations on your new job 😁

Amazing I hadn’t thought to search the term long line! There seem to be some t shirts that will work - I think I’ll be too hot with 2 layers at the moment pushing a wheelbarrow all day!!! But I’ll get onto longline - you are a genius! Thanks xx

Left-field, but would you consider braces to hold your trousers up?! Avoids the need for another layer and more comfortable than a belt…

Spread the longline word to the blokes so no one has to see their builders bums either 😆

Congratulations on the job!

I’m intrigued how you landed this job OP .
congratulations!

Would a thin cotton boiler suit work for you for the summer,wear shorts and t shirt under it.

Wear a man's t-shirt. It will be longer in the body.

Ooh I like that idea- that’s brilliant! Thanks ever so much xx

George at Asda have brilliant longline vests this summer.

I will do my best 😂😂😂

There are stretchy belts for this kind of thing - you’ll find them in the outdoor type of shop rather than fashion shops of course! DP is a gardener and swears by them.

Congratulations!!

Cycling tops are longer at the back than the front.

its a small firm with older guys, so maybe don’t need the speed. I got my c card and then applied - I am obviously not that strong but like I said I won’t take fag breaks I’ll work consistently and hopefully will be all good!!

A good shout thanks I hadn’t thought of that xxxx

I’ve worked on construction sites for decades.Aren’t you expected to wear Hi Vis/ logo’ed T shirts/polo shirts? I’ve only ever worked for Principal Contractors, smaller organisations might have different rules about logos, but you still need a hi vis top layer. In summer, hi vis t shirts are well worth the investment (if you don’t get them given) so you don’t have to wear 2 layers (T shirt + hi vis vest).

Women’s PPE is rubbish. There have been campaigns for better fitting/better availability of it all my working life. At least I have big feet and broad shoulders are can fill men’s stuff, even if i’ve never had trousers that fit!

There are so few women on construction sites. Well done on your new job @Questionsquestions23! What is your trade?

Brilliant thanks will check them out for sure xx

Currently my fav subject!
I also work in construction and spend way too much time trying to find the perfect outfits (I’m a bit of a girly girl but also a 45yr old carpenter)

• I’d reconsider the belt? under armour make a stretchy one that is very comfortable. I have currently four pairs of work trousers all of which give me builders bum by the end of the day without the belt.

I’m convinced that most companies take the male clothing label off and stick a women’s on, the fit is terrible for a waist and hips. So try different brands? The best fit I have are Scruffs, the comfiest are regatta, and site fall in the middle.
Theres an Australian brand called BAD that look really well designed but expensive. And delivery times are long - they ship from Australia (but don’t mention that on the website). I had some amazing safety glasses from them.
I have a long line hoodie from them that is brilliant, water resistant and warm. Also bright pink. Thought I looked the business in it, but then our site colour is yellow and I wasn’t allowed to wear it.

If you have a way of stopping hair from snapping while wearing a hard had I’d be grateful if you could share? I tried putting a satin scarf in it and again wasn’t allowed as it wasn’t fastened in.

I used to just wear jeans, with a belt and tee shirts in the summer, you may have to wear a hi-vi jacket or vest over the top no matter how hot! Good working gloves also essential, toe protector shoes a bit easier on the feet than proper toe protector boots if they allow, and toe protector wellies if its really muddy if you don't want to get covered. Be prepared for winter, building sites in freezing temperatures or driving snow are a bit rough! Have fun and it's a good way to keep fit without the gym fees.

I wear a mix of unisex polo shirts in a size bigger than I'd choose to wear normally and DH's old T-shirts. I like roomy so they don't cling or ride up as I move (think fixing things above your head, not just bum coverage as you bend down). The polos look smarter, but the heavy duty poly cotton blend is very hot in summer. DH's cotton T-shirts are much nicer this time of year.
It can be worth trying out different brands of trousers too to avoid builder's bum. Specific women's versions are much more readily available than they were 20-odd years ago, but I still prefer men's. I find the women's are too tightly tailored to be practical (although they are much more flattering!) and make crawling around in tight spaces impossible as the fabric doesn't have enough give. However, because men's fit understandably doesn't take into account our wider hips and bum, I find I need to go up a size. This in turn means they can sit very low resulting in a builder's bum and/or splitting the crotch when crouching... With much trial and error, I found some men's pairs that both get over my hips and sit on my waist properly, but it took years to find the right pair!

I hope you enjoy the work, it is a rare choice for women but even more so at an older age. I have a trade, but would be sent to work with the labourers for odd weeks as an apprentice depending on where help was needed within the small general building company I was with. It gave a good overview of different stages of the build that I otherwise wouldn't have been much involved in, I enjoyed a lot of the physicality and the added variety was welcome, but it was a tough job even as a young adult. The weeks in Winter spent digging footings by hand were particularly grim. At 41, I am already planning my exit off the tools as my body is beginning to feel it.

Thanks I’ll look into that xx

I’ve steel toe caps, site king woman’s trousers but had to go up 2 size’s! They give hi viz vest but even then I’m terrified of flashing! It’s only a small firm and I’m labouring with hope of getting a proper trade in the future xx

I don't know how widely available,you get ones that are bright yellow top half with reflective strips and red bottom half.the top half acts as hi Viz.
Good luck with the job.👍

Do you need high Vis? My husband buys the high Vis hoodies on Amazon and the black t shirts with the yellow or orange stripe. He finds it easier just to have it on all the time rather than an annoying flapping vest over the top.

He favours the ones mixed with black so they are easier worn all the time. Like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/316301578192?chn=ps&_ul=GB&var=614932159775&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1Pf28s3oYSUahu_wOGWOxbw13&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=614932159775_316301578192&targetid=2405654676673&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=1007374&poi=&campaignid=21697391927&mkgroupid=177203736618&rlsatarget=pla-2405654676673&abcId=10027104&merchantid=5357717072&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21697391927&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Lr1c1Uiq7ku3KrsTUElj9r408B&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzOvEBhDVARIsADHfJJQXiAdwHwyiqcKXY_CBF5IOTLIoDiusJzpy5dgPOIgQltw0aRde81oaAnw3EALw_wcB

These t shirts wash a dry very quickly too https://gsworkwear.com/products/supertouch-hi-viz-two-tone-short-sleeve-bird-eye-polo-shirt-orange?variant=53981991698817&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17425043474&gbraid=0AAAAADuamB9cfBlJzIKG8HwbjcCnJ-r4g&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzOvEBhDVARIsADHfJJTOO6qkGTwZEXQ5HybL2jzUqBhssYeajWsWxRvfTTPAcR7XIQdLLDIaAoW9EALw_wcB

Yes long line T shirts are your friend.

I also have a long body and high waist and these can be tucked in with space to move (my waist means trousers often sit low).

I’ve got the Yours cotton ones. 3 for £25 and come in all sorts of colours so depending if you want pinks or blues or bright or dark. They also do the same in vest tips as well and the sleeves are thick enough to cover a bra strap and aren’t low cut.