There are very few occasions where I feel like a prince when I’m beekeeping.
Sweaty. Swollen. Smelling like woodsmoke and propolis. It’s hardly the vibe of royalty. But then I stumbled across the PollenMaid Bee Suit and suddenly, I got it. Why Kate Middleton donned one on World Bee Day and looked like she was off to tea at Highgrove rather than into a hive full of angry bees.
It turns out… she may be onto something.
Designed for women, not just ‘also worn by’
For years, women beekeepers have been fumbling around in kit made for their taller, broader, longer-limbed beekeeping brethren. The result? Baggy sleeves. Bunched-up waists. A crotch somewhere around the knees. Enter: B J Sherriff’s PollenMaid.
A suit actually designed for women’s proportions. They’ve added shaping where it’s needed, shortened what always got in the way, and crucially – made the waist and chest area actually work for female anatomy.
Wearing a suit that fits makes you feel less like a beekeeper impersonator and more like you know what you’re doing. That confidence actually helps when you’re mid-inspection and the bees are testing your nerve.
The details that matter
Some suits just have that ‘we added pink so now it’s for women’ vibe. This isn’t that.
Engineered for comfort, fit, and practicality, the PollenMaid is the first-ever bee suit designed with women in mind. Its patent-pending drop-down back panel allows for quick, discreet comfort breaks—without removing the suit. Simply unzip, unbuckle, release—and refasten just as swiftly.
The PollenMaid features also include:
- Tailored fit with elegant, patterned trim
- Self-supporting hood for easy wear and storage
- Sherriff’s ClearView Veil for superior visibility
- See-through phone pocket for convenient use on the go
Bonus: Every PollenMaid suit arrives in a FREE BJ Sherriff signature storage bag.
Is it worth the royal seal of approval?
Well, if it’s good enough for Kate… In her World Bee Day photo, she’s spotted in a near-identical bee suit – sparking a flurry of interest in women’s beekeeping wear. Granted, she didn’t have a smoker in one hand and a half-glued super in the other, but she looked the part.
And let’s not underestimate what a difference it makes to see high-profile women showing interest in bees, biology, and bonnets. Visibility counts – even if it’s via a very clean pair of gauntlets.
Final thoughts: Buzzing about it
Would I recommend the PollenMaid? Yes. Wholeheartedly.
It’s not cheap – it’s a premium suit and comes in at £345 (at time of writing) – but after years of making do, it feels like a bit of kit that actually respects female beekeepers. You will feel comfortable, protected, and, dare I say it… a little bit glam.
Just don’t expect the bees to treat you like a princess. No one’s told them about World Bee Day.
Read more from the hive
How I started talking with bees
Discover how beekeeping became my path to sanity in Is Beekeeping The Answer To Regaining My Sanity.
Navigating the beekeeping calendar
For a month-by-month guide on hive management, check out my Beekeeping Calendar.
When bees get feisty
Read about my experiences with aggressive hives and the steps I took in Aggressive Bees & A Physiological Reaction.
Exploring different hive types
Considering a new hive? Here’s my Review Of Beehive Types For The Novice Beekeeper.Talking With Bees
Share this:
