Amanda Owen, star of Our Yorkshire Farm, has spoken candidly about her family's relaxed approach to clothing, issuing a defiant message to critics. The 51-year-old shepherdess, who shares nine children with ex-husband Clive Owen, addressed backlash over her outfit choices during an appearance on the My Wardrobe Malfunction podcast.
Defying Fashion Critics
Recalling a specific incident, Amanda revealed that someone once described a mini skirt she wore as "an absolute travesty." She noted that remarks about her appearance have often sparked debate in the press. However, she remains unfazed, stressing the importance of practicality over fashion.
"There is a reason for it; we have clothes, we have lots of clothes, obviously you clothe every day," she explained. "Usually when it comes to farming and being outside and all the rest of it, it's pretty much leggings, jeans, jumpers, shirts, that kind of stuff. But actually, it doesn't matter, if you can do the job. There are certain jobs that [require you to] dress in a certain way. If I'm shearing sheep, then I have to wear shearing jeans, because if not, I'll end up black and blue."
Teaching Children Through Clothing
Amanda emphasized that her children share the same laid-back attitude. "The children are the same," she told host Charlie Hedges. "Have you ever looked in your drawers and thought, 'I haven't worn that, will I ever wear that? But I really like it'? So therefore what are you actually preserving it for? Because if you like it and you want to wear it, I just say to the kids, 'You wear it.'"
She added: "You would've seen some pretty incongruous sights, you know children in tutus with wellies and blazers and bits. It doesn't matter, it does not matter. You know, anything that puts a smile on their face and makes them feel good, that will do."
Life Lessons from the Farm
The couple, who announced their separation in 2022 after 22 years of marriage, have nine children: Raven, Reuben, Miles, Edith, Violet, Sidney, Annas, Clemmy, and Nancy. Last month, Amanda opened up about how farm life has shaped their children, speaking to Adrian Chiles on BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live podcast.
"One is that you don't always win, you do not always win. If you fear failing then that is going to seriously hamper you," she said. She explained that experiences such as losing an animal teach resilience. "You will have an animal that is sick, and you will do everything within your power to try and heal it. The number of times we have propped ailing sheep up on bales and tried to get them standing and dose them with treacle, literally showered them with TLC. One of the children has come running back in and said, 'The sheep! It's better! It's drinking water.' And a little part of my heart sinks because usually that is exactly what they do just before they expire."
Amanda concluded: "And now you've got to carry on, that's what you have to do. It's a life lesson in itself."
