And we’re not talking about your hot Saturday night date!

Working my first crush in California, all the interns and winery staff wore pretty much the same thing: jeans in the morning and in the cellar, shorts and a t-shirt outside. Good boots, an occasional sweater for the early mornings and late nights. When it’s 75-90 degrees everyday, why would you wear anything else that would otherwise impede your ability to tan while operating the dumper on the outdoor crushpad??

So if you’re headed to warmer climates for crush, grab any old college t-shirts, cutoffs, and of course all that free swag you’ll collect from cooperage reps and cork suppliers and you be set, at least from the beginning…

It wasn’t until we went to Germany for harvest in 2012 that I found my old stained shorts and t-shirt weren’t going to cut it. With most of the harvest happening after the first frost, I needed something warm and durable – fast. I started taking note of who’s wearing what – Johannes knew Engelbert Strauss was a good work clothing brand for men and women that was durable, warm and, in the case of many items, water resistant. I loved these pants, still do and will for many years to come probably since they’re built like a damn rock. The best test for durability of pants is slide down steep slate hills multiple times. If they don’t tear, you’ve got a winner. On my feet were Meindls because that slate will shred your Nikes to pieces in two days’ picking time.

Since then, I’ve wondered, what are the best crush-worthy clothing options and brands for serial crush addicts like yourselves? Here are the best brands we’ve gathered:

General Workwear – light & heavy duty

King Gee * (Australia)
Kuhl Pants (US)
Red Ants Pants * (US)
Panoply (based in the UK but ships all over)
Carhartt (worldwide distribution)
Engelbert Strauss (Europe)

Socks

Defeet socks (worldwide distribution)

To Keep You Warm and Cozy

Smartwool (US, some outside distribution)
Lorna Jane (Australia, US, South Africa)

Boots
Bogs Boots (US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand)
Redback Boots (worldwide)
Blundstones (Mostly New Zealand, Australia, US, Europe)

*Workwear for women

The great thing about the ones listed above is that many of the brands double for hiking/outdoor activity clothing if you’re in for some exploring before or after harvest. They keep you warm or cool, they’re made from breathable materials and they’re good quality, durable fabrics to endure extreme climates and terrains.

Got any other fav harvest brands? Share them with us by leaving a comment!