It seems every job has a uniform.  Growing up the farm was no exception.  Our uniform was maybe a little less formal then others, but was just right for working and growing up on farm

Jeans were needed to protect against hay, straw, or just plain muddy (or worst) situations.  Try picking up a hay bale with shorts on - the scratching would happen with the first brush against the legs, the bleeding may take a minute or two.  The jeans were generally either some hand-me-downs from an older brother, or more then likely, school jeans that were starting to show some wear.

A t-shirt in the summer was a must.  Any kid caught without a shirt on in the hay field was probably:

1) from town

2) going to be burned to a crisp from the hot afternoon sun

3) in for an icthy afternoon (hay is dusty)

4) not coming back for day two of making hay

The t-shirt wardrobe was augmented with a sweatshirt to wear on top spring and fall and maybe some coveralls and insulated coveralls for winter (and if it was cold enough, all of the above).  The most popular shirts were the Wal-Mart specials, grey or other light color t-shirts with one front pocket (perfect for putting in a reciept for parts or a grain slip from the elevator).  They had to be light colored.  Brother Jaime tried a black one for a day.  He was taught an important physics lesson, dark absorbs heat, light reflects it.  Tis better to be cool then cool.

A good seed cap.  Wait, actually just a seed cap.  It usually started good and new when you start and probably tatters when it was retired.  If run through the haybine, combine, swather, or lawn mower, might be more tattered then others when retired.  The hat kept the sun off and other undesirables (think of kneeling next to a cow with a messy tail, laying under a tractor, or greasing a combine or baler).  Generally, the same hat was worn for years on end.  And each of us had our own unique hat.  Dad’s was Cass-Clay Creamery hat.  My brother Jaime’s was a GTA Feed Hat.  Jack’s was Cenex.  Mine was Syre Fertilizer.

In the winter, the seed cap would be replaced with a stocking cap.  Also a hat that would be worn year after year.  Dad’s hat was the one exception - his was the bombidiers hat.  Ear loppers coming down the side.

Finally, a good pair of boots.  Preferable with steele toes - suitable for being stepped on by a one ton cow or running after that same cow if needed.  No dropped barrel of oil, pry bar, or other heavy item could hurt the toes.  And if you got made and kicked something, the damage would be relatively small to your toes…but not necessarily to your brother’s shins…