Some beekeepers wear a beekeeping suit any time they’re around the hive, while others prefer minimal protective gear and only wear suits when performing more invasive tasks.

A beekeeper should feel confident and comfortable in whatever protective clothing they choose. No matter the choice, be mindful of the tasks being undertaken and how best to avoid upsetting the bees unnecessarily. 

Protective clothing for beekeepers includes:

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• Veils, with or without connected hats

• Beekeeping suits

• Jackets

• Leather gloves, with or without a long gauntlet

• Nitrile gloves

• Wrist protectors

• Boots

• Boot bands

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Light colored clothing is recommended; research suggests that bees are more likely to react aggressively toward dark clothing because predators tend to be darker in color. Interestingly, bees are known to detect colors five times faster than human beings. It's easier to detect bees on your clothing, and finally, white shades are proven as the best light reflectors, absorbing negligible quantities and producing little to no extra heat, especially during hot temperatures.

It's also recommended to consider the clothes worn under suits and it's particularly advantageous to wear extra layers if working with a defensive colony.

Many beekeepers have started wearing nitrile gloves.  It's been noted that bees tend not to sting these gloves, perhaps because it's a foreign substance, rather than leather. It's also believed that since the material is better molded to hands, it doesn't compromise dexterity, and bees are less likely to be hurt, which in turn, keeps the bees' pheromone danger levels lower.