Duluth Trading Company: Sidewinder Shirt

The majority of my clothes come from Goodwill or are hand-me-downs from my girlfriends (lucky for me they all have exceptional taste). Additionally, we live small, and so we don't have a lot of closet space. Any article of clothing I add to my wardrobe had better be able to function on the farm and in the office. I usually also keep a rule, if something new comes in something old has to go out.

Enter the DuluthFlex Sidewinder Shirt. I was thrilled when Duluth offered to send one to me to review! It's made out of nylon and spandex which means it moves with you without being too tight or too loose. It also offers UPF 30 which is important to me (Nick and I both got the most epic sunburns of our lives while on a 4 hour snorkeling expedition in Belize...NEVER AGAIN). Even though we live in the Pacific Northwest we can still get burnt and so, come Summer, you'll most likely see both of us with long sleeves on. I also am of the mindset that we don't need tans to be beautiful (good news for my pale legs).

Which is also why the Sidewinder is nice. It's super-light, wicks away sweat, and has breathable mesh. I can also attest to the fact that it laughs in the face of mild rain. (In case you hadn't figured out by now, we rarely wear coats here in the Upper Left, probably because to us, it's not really raining, it's just a little mist.)

Here's how I'm wearing it right now, on the farm, for dinner in town with Nick and Gizmo, and at the office.

Where to Shop

• Duluth Trading Company Sidewinder Shirt

Farm Chores

• We have just a few sizes of our Farmstead Herd Queen shirts left. If you're interested in one, shoot me a message and I'll see if I have your size. In case you can't tell, that's Mrs. Robinson our Lamancha Herd Queen, with a crown on. Because that's how we do.
• Duluth Trading Company Women's Work Gloves: First things first, I hate hauling hay. It's not that I'm not strong enough, I am (anyone wanna arm wrestle?) It's just cumbersome and the baling twine cuts into my hands. Side note: I am card carrying member of the Tiny Hand Society, or at least I would be if that were a thing. I have the smallest hands ever (especially considering I'm a big girl at 5'8" tall). I once bought leather gloves in the kids aisle and they fit. Unfortunately, they weren't made for actually working. Which is why I was so thrilled to find the Women's Duluth Work Gloves, made specifically for women of all hand sizes. They're reinforced in all the right places, slide on and off easily, snug up to my hands, and, probably the best part...they're this really snazzy shade of blue. I am VERY PLEASED with these work gloves. They make hauling hay a heck of a lot easier.
• little b designs: Brenna is a dear friend and an extremely talented jewelry designer. I've gotten to where I hardly ever wear an outfit that doesn't involve one of her pieces. We'll be giving away an amazing necklace here on the blog soon...but in the meantime, like her on facebook!

Date Night

• What do I love about living in Olympia? The fact that rain boots constitute appropriate date night apparel. I love my Hunter Rain Boots. They were a splurge before we started a farm and they still make me feel fancy.

Work

• If you're not familiar with TOMS they have a "One for One" promise. For every pair of shoes you buy they give a pair to children in need. It's a fabulous mission and one I'm more than happy to support. My Burlap TOMS are a staple in my summer wardrobe.
• Farming/Homesteading Books...because sometimes the answer isn't on the internet. "The Chicken Health Handbook" is an important resource for treating your chickens. "Storey's Guide to Raising Pigs" is, like all Storey Guides, an excellent starter for all. "The Self Sufficient Life and How To Live It" is one of the number one books I recommend for anyone just getting started, or for those of us who think, "I can do better." Seymour offers in-depth drawings, homestead plans (for various acreage layouts), and step by step lists. I constantly find myself going back to this book as a reference.

So there you have it. The Duluth Sidewinder Shirt. Farmstead Tested and Approved. Love it!