You’re working with dirt. It is inevitable that you’ll get that aged dirt all over your face and body. It’s super cute to wear, but not pleasant to clean or keep clan. Unless this article of clothing doesn’t matter to you, I would suggest leaving it at home or save it for days off. I noticed some of my cohort wore white on the scene, which made it difficult to get down and dirty.

In the midst of a dig, you’re exposed to the filth of dirt, the wrath of the weather, and pesky little bugs. It is important that you are protected at all costs! However, these materials could be strategic for under-layering, depending on the forecast.

It isn’t always worth it to buy new things for an archaeological dig. Try to seek some of the recommended attire from friends, relatives, or thrift shops. It’s an environmentally friendly practice and you can wear them down as much as you’d like. A few students, including myself, acquired second-hand clothing from family friends to set us out on our adventures. I noticed others repurposed their own old clothes, giving them a second life. However…

Make sure your wardrobe pieces are durable and intact. This is a given, yet I happened to bring shoes that ended up splitting apart. I guess they were so old, they had retired before I started wearing them. They were hiking shoes I had retrieved from a dear family friend who took really good care of all of her things. They looked untouched, so I kept them for the rest of the program, using glue and rubber bands for the time being. Unfortunately, I ended up leaving them behind; fortunately, it made my luggage a lot lighter.

Jeans are thick, heavy, and constricting. This article of clothing is not worth the extra weight in your suitcase. Light, flowy, breathable, and sturdy is advantageous. Examples would be cargo, hiking, and/or work pants.  Thrift shops and Costco are a couple of good options to find affordable pants. Pants are the one clothing item that would be a beneficial investment if purchased new.

Gets in the way of the tasks at hand. The probability of these pieces getting lost are very high.

In short, don’t bring anything expensive. Make sure your skin and body are protected during your excavations. Being comfortable and practical is always the better choice, and should be the main priority for your wardrobe.