If I may add my sixpence ha’penny to the discussion, the baggier my suit is, the better protected I feel. I wear long-sleeved T-shirt & cotton jeans under it as well as long gloves over. Where my overall doesn’t touch my skin, but provides space & air meaning that a sting would need to be about 1cm (1/2 inch) long to get me.
A long time ago I bought long sleeved suits from Yakka - extra thick cotton for painters etc. They are reasonably priced although the newer ones are made in a thinner cotton which is good for our hot Aussie summers. There are differing sizes too, but at 164cms/5’4’ mine fits OK. The excess in the legs is tucked into boots & sealed with elastic lengths, just tied around - bicycle clips would also do. I sewed up the boy’s slit at the front & velcro-ed the internal pockets. There are also handy outer pockets for stowing a hive tool, seceteurs etc.
Do you always give yourself a couple of puffs from your smoker before approaching your hive? As for bees targeting your hair, are they possibly attracted to your hair products or natural oils?
