I’ll come right out and say it: there’s something incredibly empowering about being a woman who is also the official grillmaster of my friend group. When warmer weather rolls around, people tend to congregate in my backyard, where the only assistance I’ll accept is the delivery of snacks and fun beverages while I tend to my collection of charcoal grills and smokers. Hosting a cookout is my idea of a perfect summer weekend, but there’s one thing that eluded me for a long time: what to wear?
I used to grill in my rattiest T-shirt and cutoff jean shorts, maybe an ancient L.L. Bean flannel if the weather was on the cooler side. My clothes were all going to smell like smoke, I reasoned. Who needs fashion when you make ribs as good as I do? But the thing is, I do like to look chic when I’m hosting people at my home. After years of being irritated by seeing photos of myself wearing my worst clothes while my friends were dressed in their summer BBQ best, I decided to put some effort into finding the perfect grillmaster uniform. Then I cracked the code: cute jumpsuits.
Jumpsuits and coveralls are a natural choice for grilling. They tend to be made of sturdy materials, like canvas or cotton twill, and have lots of pockets for stashing things like Thermapen instant-read thermometers and spray-bottles of apple cider vinegar. They’re easy to toss in the wash, and are a one-and-done outfit. Paired with a durable apron, they’ll offer some protection from burns and scrapes and make you look a little cheffy, but still feel chic enough for drinks on the patio while someone else does the dishes.
To find the best cute jumpsuits for grilling, I tested a wide variety of styles and fabrics to see how it felt to actually host BBQs in these outfits. I’ve also included a few of my favorite aprons to pair them with, and a handful of helpful accessories.
The essential coveralls
I’ve had my Wildfang high-waisted coverall for over five years now, and I’m pretty sure I would dissolve into uncontrollable sobs if anything ever happened to it. It’s my favorite garment to cook in, period, but I especially love to grill in it. The brushed cotton fabric is super soft, and wears in beautifully over time. It has five pockets, which means I can stash all the little odds and ends I like to have on hand (lip balm, pens, thermometers, etc.) so I don’t have to leave my precious pork roasts unattended. It’s also easy to wash and pretty stain-resistant, so I never panic if it gets a splatter of sauce or some burger grease on it.
If I’m not wearing my Wildfang coverall, there’s a solid chance I’m grilling in an Alex Mill jumpsuit. I’m obsessed with their short-sleeved linen piece in French Blue, because it makes me feel like I should be basting a leg of lamb over an open fire somewhere in rural France.
And when we get into cooler-weather grilling season, I love their classic long-sleeved cotton twill jumpsuit. The adjustable tabs at the waist make it easy to get a perfect fit, and I love that there are two giant pockets in both the front and the back.
An artists-worthy cotton jumpsuit
Grilling and smoking meat is an art, and Buck Mason’s Ninth Street jumpsuit makes me feel like the Jackson Pollock of brisket. It’s made from the same crisp, ultra-lightweight cotton as the brand’s mainstay shirting, so it feels sort of like you’re wearing a giant button-down—but for your entire body. And it’s black, so it’s really forgiving when it comes to spills and stains. This is my favorite piece for a slightly more elevated grilling situation. It’s fancy enough that I would wear this out to a nice dinner or a casual wedding, but comfy enough to wear it when I just want to be the queen of my backyard.
An elevated utility jumpsuit
I know, I know—wearing white to a BBQ is a risk. But hear me out: pop on a colorful apron (like the Essential Apron from Hedley & Bennett, which comes in dozens of colors and patterns) an exercise just a little bit of caution, and you’ll probably be fine. This short-sleeved utility jumpsuit from Buck Mason is so chic and comfortable that it’s worth it. It has five pockets, a button closure, and is made from garment-dyed cotton twill that strikes a perfect balance between sturdy and cozy. The relaxed, wide-leg fit and open collar make this a little more elevated than a classic coverall, but no less functional.
A breezy, sleeveless linen option
Linen is one of my favorite fabrics to wear in the summer because it’s both cool and comfortable while still protecting my sensitive skin from the sun. On the absolute hottest days, I love to grill in Quince’s square-neck, sleeveless linen jumpsuit. It’s so lightweight that it feels like wearing nothing, has three functional pockets, and looks great paid with my favorite Barebones waxed apron.
Some denim shortalls for casual cookouts
I’m just a smidge over five feet tall, so shortalls often make me look like a 12-year old boy. But this pair from Gap comes in petite, regular, and tall size options, so no matter how tall or short you are, these will look the way you want them to. They’re made from a rugged recycled cotton blend, and have a relaxed fit that makes them comfortable enough to wear all day long, even in hot weather. The large front pocket is perfect for pens, thermometers, and basting brushes, and there are four additional pockets for keeping your essentials on hand. I like to pair them with a Buck Mason boxy tee and one of those aforementioned ancient L.L. Bean flannel shirts over it when the temperature starts to drop.
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