After a long year of study, you're probably ready to go home and relax for a couple of months - but your parents might have other ideas. Although you see the long, hot summer as a glorious stretch of time during which to relax before university rolls around again, you're probably going to be facing a list of jobs to keep you 'entertained'.

It might seem like a chore at first, but getting outside in the summer and fixing the fence or painting the garage could be the opportune time to listen to a new podcast, and you might also get fit doing it. Also during lockdown it is a way to keep you busy if you aren't getting a job!

Putting a shelf up might be easier than you think, too, so whilst it's not known why your parents think a BA in History also comes with a degree in DIY, it's probably not best to question it, just enjoy that they need your help for once, and get the jobs done.

If you haven't done much DIY before, then there are a few things that you will want to consider before you begin your building project. Firstly, make sure that it is a job that you can do. If you're unsure, get an expert opinion, and don't start playing with electrics and plumbing unless you are an electrician or a plumber. Secondly, you will want to make sure that you are wearing the right clothing.

Do you need work clothing for DIY jobs around the house?

Wearing the right clothes for the job is essential. After all, you wouldn't turn up to a yoga class in jeans or attend a science lab without your lab coat. When you're doing DIY, safety and comfort are key, and you want to make sure you have the right clothes for the job.

For specialist jobs such as fitting flooring, you might need work trousers with padding to protect your knees, but most jobs will require at least some sturdy work attire. If you're spending a long time outdoors, remaining cool and comfortable will be at the forefront of your mind, so shorts are a good option. Engelbert Strauss has a range of work clothing which is safe for household DIY jobs, such as their comfortable work shorts, as well as specialised clothing for more specific work. All of their clothing is made from high quality, durable material, and the fit is often flattering as well as practical. Their products feature the iconic Eagle logo, too, which they say gives you the power and energy you need to get the job done.

What are the right clothes for which DIY job?

Ultimately, the choice of what to wear comes down to the job you want to do. If you are going to be spending the whole summer outside, the sparkly halter-neck top that you brought back from uni might look cute, but it's not going to be comfortable after eight hours of painting a fence. Having the right clothes is as important as using correct tools, and you wouldn't dream of painting the fence with a shaving brush, would you?

Although the type of clothing will differ depending on the type of job you are doing, comfort and safety are paramount. If you are working outside, wearing work shorts with lots of pockets is essential. The power of pockets is often underestimated. Not only is it handy to keep your most-used tools close by, but pockets are also a matter of safety. When you head up a ladder, keeping your tools in your pockets rather than your hands and your mouth is going to give you much better balance, and it'll mean that you're not having to ascend or descend every single time you need the chisel.

By the end of the summer, you will have had a better practical education than three years of analysing the Cold War could have ever given you, and you can take pride in the fact that you managed to learn something new. However, when you return to uni in September, you might want to keep your skills a secret, as everyone will be asking you to build their new Ikea wardrobes, or fix the cupboard under the stairs!