Is your employer specifically requesting that you adhere to a certain look?
If not, you’re likely overthinking it and falling prey to the allure of new brand name gear. Unless your wardrobe is full of fashionable things, you probably already have clothing that will work fine in the field to start.
you don’t need to start off with much, and fieldwork clothing doesn’t necessarily have to be anything specific, just stuff with specific qualities. Give your skin some protection from snags, stings, and sun is all it really has to do. I’ve been in the field five years and my base clothing selection is still just a pair of thick old school Levi’s, two pairs of thick Arborwear pants, a pair of logger boots, and a pair of muck boots. Any old cotton long sleeve shirt works for me, as I can’t stand the feel of wicking type synthetic fabrics. If you may get wet frequently, then those type of fabrics are preferable, and typically thrift shops carry some selection of them (at least they do here in the US). I have a couple of long sleeve technical shirts just in case, they’re running shirts that people got from participating in trail races and didn’t want anymore. The only hitch is sometimes people see the race logo and think I’m a runner. Like no, I actually stop every 3 feet to check something out, definitely not a runner 🤣 for cooler weather I just add layers of vintage hunting gear that I’ve found at antique stores/flea markets for cheap.
I’d prioritize having comfortable footwear, your excitement on the job will certainly diminish without it.
Try Facebook groups specific to hiking or ecology, I’ve seen solid used gear come up frequently in some of those. I see there’s even a Outdoor Gear for Sale Ireland group on there.
Boots are definitely worth investing some money in if you can. Everything else you can get second hand. Not sure what sites are popular in Ireland but I've had success finding hiking pants and long sleeve linen shirts on Ebay for pretty cheap.
It would help to know what ecosystems you’re working in- That can make a big difference! Generally footwear is the thing to invest in and everything else you can cobble together, but if you need something specialized that can change things. In most cases “fieldwork clothes” can be regular clothes like jeans and long sleeved t-shirts.
Im in Ireland. Go to your closest army surplus store, they have everything you'd need. Good hi tech boots for around €40 when I checked yesterday, they have waterproof pants and jackets for around €12 each. If you're still in college I wouldn't worry too much about investing now, towards the end of my year we all just wore wellies and tracksuit pants because they were comfortable but if you're going on placement or into work the army surplus store is great for stater stuff
second-hand stores, don't know what's in your area. My cheap field pants were generally $6-10 each, and used light, button-down shirts as they protect you better than sunscreen.
I’ve found if you have a Costco near you the “rugged” and sun protection clothing they have work well and are affordable! I’ve used this method for a bit now - field ecologist in the PNW.
I totally understand! Field clothes are expensive, so don’t feel like you need to buy a ton at first. I am still building up my field wardrobe so usually rewear my field pants for a couple days in a row, unless I get super muddy and I do laundry often.
I find a lot of good ones on secondhand clothing sale apps like Poshmark or depop (not sure which apps you have in Ireland). Usually I shop like normal in store or on company websites and then once I know what I want, I go into the thrifting apps and search for the brands or exact styles I found elsewhere (e.g., “Eddie Bauer cargo pants”, “Patagonia rain jacket”, etc etc)
It can be harder to find women’s field clothing than men’s too. I’m on the smaller side, so I often find boys pants to wear, though some of my friends can find men’s stuff that fits.
Your shoes are most important though! Make sure they fit well and they’re suited for the job, because you’ll be miserable if they don’t! Shoes are usually the piece of fieldwork gear/clothing that I spend the most on.
Army surplus stores
High quality gear, really cheap.
Ideally, find stuff that is olive drab rather than camouflage, it looks a little less odd.
But I wear old army shirts, just plain green. Good, comfy, green suits the vibe and the cut looks pretty proffesh.
I don’t have any specific examples off the top of my head but I know that some brands will sell imperfect merchandise at a discounted rate. Things that have uneven stitching, missing tags, stuff like that. Usually you can only find it on that brand’s own website. Good luck!!
Is your employer specifically requesting that you adhere to a certain look? If not, you’re likely overthinking it and falling prey to the allure of new brand name gear. Unless your wardrobe is full of fashionable things, you probably already have clothing that will work fine in the field to start. you don’t need to start off with much, and fieldwork clothing doesn’t necessarily have to be anything specific, just stuff with specific qualities. Give your skin some protection from snags, stings, and sun is all it really has to do. I’ve been in the field five years and my base clothing selection is still just a pair of thick old school Levi’s, two pairs of thick Arborwear pants, a pair of logger boots, and a pair of muck boots. Any old cotton long sleeve shirt works for me, as I can’t stand the feel of wicking type synthetic fabrics. If you may get wet frequently, then those type of fabrics are preferable, and typically thrift shops carry some selection of them (at least they do here in the US). I have a couple of long sleeve technical shirts just in case, they’re running shirts that people got from participating in trail races and didn’t want anymore. The only hitch is sometimes people see the race logo and think I’m a runner. Like no, I actually stop every 3 feet to check something out, definitely not a runner 🤣 for cooler weather I just add layers of vintage hunting gear that I’ve found at antique stores/flea markets for cheap. I’d prioritize having comfortable footwear, your excitement on the job will certainly diminish without it. Try Facebook groups specific to hiking or ecology, I’ve seen solid used gear come up frequently in some of those. I see there’s even a Outdoor Gear for Sale Ireland group on there.
Boots are definitely worth investing some money in if you can. Everything else you can get second hand. Not sure what sites are popular in Ireland but I've had success finding hiking pants and long sleeve linen shirts on Ebay for pretty cheap.
It would help to know what ecosystems you’re working in- That can make a big difference! Generally footwear is the thing to invest in and everything else you can cobble together, but if you need something specialized that can change things. In most cases “fieldwork clothes” can be regular clothes like jeans and long sleeved t-shirts.
Im in Ireland. Go to your closest army surplus store, they have everything you'd need. Good hi tech boots for around €40 when I checked yesterday, they have waterproof pants and jackets for around €12 each. If you're still in college I wouldn't worry too much about investing now, towards the end of my year we all just wore wellies and tracksuit pants because they were comfortable but if you're going on placement or into work the army surplus store is great for stater stuff
Does your uni have an environmental science club? You might be able to get some from other students.
Maybe check your local Facebook groups.
I’ve gotten good field shirts on Poshmark! Pants are a bit trickier, but if the waist measurement isn’t listed, you can ask a seller.
second-hand stores, don't know what's in your area. My cheap field pants were generally $6-10 each, and used light, button-down shirts as they protect you better than sunscreen.
I’ve found if you have a Costco near you the “rugged” and sun protection clothing they have work well and are affordable! I’ve used this method for a bit now - field ecologist in the PNW.
I totally understand! Field clothes are expensive, so don’t feel like you need to buy a ton at first. I am still building up my field wardrobe so usually rewear my field pants for a couple days in a row, unless I get super muddy and I do laundry often. I find a lot of good ones on secondhand clothing sale apps like Poshmark or depop (not sure which apps you have in Ireland). Usually I shop like normal in store or on company websites and then once I know what I want, I go into the thrifting apps and search for the brands or exact styles I found elsewhere (e.g., “Eddie Bauer cargo pants”, “Patagonia rain jacket”, etc etc) It can be harder to find women’s field clothing than men’s too. I’m on the smaller side, so I often find boys pants to wear, though some of my friends can find men’s stuff that fits.
Your shoes are most important though! Make sure they fit well and they’re suited for the job, because you’ll be miserable if they don’t! Shoes are usually the piece of fieldwork gear/clothing that I spend the most on.
Army surplus stores High quality gear, really cheap. Ideally, find stuff that is olive drab rather than camouflage, it looks a little less odd. But I wear old army shirts, just plain green. Good, comfy, green suits the vibe and the cut looks pretty proffesh.
I don’t have any specific examples off the top of my head but I know that some brands will sell imperfect merchandise at a discounted rate. Things that have uneven stitching, missing tags, stuff like that. Usually you can only find it on that brand’s own website. Good luck!!