25 July 2008

Gardener's tan

Does anyone else have the distinctive gardener's tan that I'm sporting this summer? I'm pretty good at putting sunscreen on my limbs and my face (Setting a Good Example for the Children), but never think to put it on my lower back, which is under clothing. However, as I'm bending over the vegetable garden to weed it, my tops usually ride up a bit, leaving my lower back exposed to the full force of the sun. I've not noticed it burn at all, but the gradual build-up of this exposure over the summer has left me with a very brown stripe over just that part of my back (I will spare you a photograph of the same - this is not THAT sort of blog). So I think I need to start wearing men's t-shirts (or maybe a kaftan*) - or begin a campaign for women's tops to be of a sensible, gardener-friendly length.


Vegetables harvested while looking like Margot Leadbetter*Mike did accuse me of looking like Margot Leadbetter today (I was wafting around harvesting the vegetables in a smart dress for once), so maybe that's the style I should cultivate.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I get a farmers tan on my arms and legs. That's pretty funny you have one across your backside. I'm working on a line of gardening clothes that will take care of that problem. I'll be old before it comes out--but I'm working on it.

Aunt Debbi/kurts mom said...

You are not alone. I have the above the waistline brown patch as well.

Shibaguyz said...

One tan lined described as my "racing stripe" on the left side of my face where the earpiece of my glasses sets. Also, when we wear our Utilikilts, we can get an interesting uneven tan from hiking them up and crawling around under the tomatoes. Gotta remember to put on more sunscreen this weekend...

Sarah said...

Hi Amanda - Been watching with interest (you hadn't emigrated when last I saw you in Aber). Our 'move' to the country came off this year, and we are now gardening, although on a smaller scale than you, and I've finally started blogging. Would like to say I have a gardener's tan, but we aren't seeing the sun that often here in Wales! All the best - Sarah

Linda said...

I have a gardener's tan on my feet ... distincitive stripes from my sandals.

Amanda said...

Anna - put me down on your list, I'd definitely be interesting in buying!

I've got sandal-stripe tan too, Crafty.

Love the idea of the Utilikilt. I was lamenting the lack of pockets in women's clothing yesterday - maybe I should get one. It's funny that it comes under the 'hoodies' section of the ThinkGeek site though - somehow think that the market for hoodies and that for Utilikilts might not overlap?

Allegro ma non troppo said...

Hooray - I'm not the only Red Striped Gardener!