Welcome back to part two of our newest series where we explore the fascinating stories behind the clothes we wear to work.

By India Price

When Jimmy asked me to write this article, I thought back to some of my first days in the working world. The excitement and the anxiety but, more than anything, the hours I spent wondering what the hell I was going to wear. While this may have been amplified by a) my vanity and b) the fact that I work in fashion, I know I can’t have been alone. From childhood all the way to retirement, uniform is a theme for us all – no matter what we end up doing for a living.

What’s interesting is the stories behind these working day outfits. Why we wear them, how we wear them, the thoughts, feelings and emotions that we attach to certain pieces and how those pieces define us. That’s what we’re going to be exploring throughout this series, where I’ll speak to 4 new people every week about what they wear to work. Enjoy!

Images by Kinvara Gladstone

DEAN EAGLES

Head Gamekeeper at Hawarden Estate

My job mainly involves the preparation of birds and drives for shoot days. We purchase the pheasant poults at about 8 weeks old and then we have to feed them regularly and monitor them for any diseases. The maintenance of the pens is a year-round task, as is vermin control – which I’m also involved with on numerous arable farms within Hawarden Estate.

On a shoot day, I wear traditional gear. That includes a cap, shirt, tie, tweed waistcoat, jacket, and breeks, green socks, either boots or wellies (depending on the weather!). I also always have a waterproof jacket on standby..

It’s a tradition that the gamekeeper and the guns wear the correct shooting attire. That means tweed clothing, a cap, and a tie. By and large, traditional shooting outfits haven’t really changed over the years but plus-fours have almost entirely been replaced by breeks.

I’ve been wearing what I wear since I was 17. That’s when I started gamekeeping.

My most trusted item is definitely my breeks. And I’ll never, ever go a shoot day without my cap.

Practicality is essential. I need to be flexible and able to move, plus I need to stay warm and dry. I always have to anticipate that what I’m wearing could get caught on fences, hedges or posts, so I always make sure that what I pick can withstand a certain level of abuse.

On a non-shoot day, my clothing is a lot more relaxed – even though I still need to think about durability, warmth and flexibility. I wear combat-style trousers, a thick jumper and a practical coat because I’m out spending a lot of time on the quad bike, feeding and maintaining the pens – ready for the next shoot day.

One piece of clothing I’d never wear? A kilt. I just haven’t got the legs.

PHOEBE THOMAS

Events Coordinator for Hawarden Castle Pavillion

We cater for all sorts of events, but the pavilion has become a very popular wedding venue so my clients are mostly excitable couples and weddings have become somewhat my forte!

I don’t wear a uniform but I definitely have a go-to style for work; I aim to mix the pretty with the practical. I usually wear long skirts or dresses with pattern or colour, which I’ll pair with some sturdy boots (usually my Doc Martens) and my orange workwear jacket from Albam, which magically goes with everything.

It’s important that my own aesthetic is indicative of the aesthetic of our events. I need to look smart, as my time is primarily spent with prospective or pre-existing clients, but I also need to be practical as I show clients around the grounds – come rain or shine – hence the need for trusty boots, thick socks and a warm coat.

I definitely have an obsession with bright or bold lipstick. I even have a theory that the bolder the lip, the better the event!

I remind myself often that while this is my job, this is a moment that these couples have dreamt of their entire lives. It’s a real privilege to be a part of such a monumental day for them and to be a chapter in their story. Giving a smart outward appearance is very important to me; they need to know that I care as much about their event as they do.

What do my clothes say about me? They say that I’m approachable, never dull, and able to stomp fearlessly through really muddy puddles. They also make me feel confident and confidence is key to my role.

SARAH SHELDON

Shop Manager and HR Manager for Hawarden Estate Farm Shop

For work, you’ll usually find me wearing a smart top, jeans, short boots and my orange workwear jacket from Albam – which is a part of our uniform.

I’m not required to wear a uniform as such, but I do always wear the jacket as it helps our customers identify me as someone who works for the Farm Shop and plus, I absolutely love the colour.

It’s important for my clothes to be able to have variety. Depending on what’s in my diary, I’ll either need to be smarter for meetings or working on the shop floor or practical for anything happening outdoors or any events we’ve got going on.

The one thing I love about what I wear to work is the colour. I really dislike black and to be honest, it looks awful on me. If I did have to wear black, I’d definitely have colourful socks lurking underneath.

The one piece that’s never let me down? My Barbour jacket. Timeless, practical and stylish.

Durability and practicality are really important in what I wear. I never spend a full day sitting at a desk so I need flexibility and to be able to move.

I live on a smallholding where we breed Welsh speckled-face sheep. I also have a border collie and a toddler and my days off are mainly spent outdoors, which means function always has to take precedence over whether or not it’s pretty…

The two things that I need in my clothes to inspire an awesome day at work? Pockets and practicality!

You’d never catch me wearing a mini skirt. And if I had to wear one thing for the rest of my life, it would be New Balance runners – buying good shoes is a must for me.

JOEL SPRASON

Horticulturist at Hawarden Estate Farm Shop

What I wear to work is hugely weather dependent, as I’m mostly outside. On an average day, I’ll wear my Fresh & Wild T-shirt, which is a part of our uniform, and then I’ll pile high various fleeces and coats, depending on the weather.

I always wear safety boots, too. I need these to protect me, due to the nature of my job.

I need to be purely practical, so I don’t bring any of my own personality to what I wear to work. Saying that, I am definitely a bit of a label head when it comes to jeans and shorts.

My North Face microfleece is definitely my most trusted item. It’s super warm, mega light and lasts me for years and years – which is important to me. Everything I wear needs to last and be super practical and durable, all year round.

On the weekends, I get out my high-end hiking gear. I also love good jeans, a band T-shirt and a nice pair of trainers, too.

You’d never catch me wearing fur. Or double-denim. Or stonewashed denim. Or white socks. None of those things.

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