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If you have very calm bees it may be possible to open up the hive without protective clothing, but if it is cold or they have lost their queen even the best behaved bees will exhibit what is charmingly called "defensive behavior", that is, they will try and sting you! 
The beekeeper's answer to this since earliest times has been some sort of protective clothing, coupled with the use of smoke. Protective clothing is essential for beekeeping, not just for your own comfort but also because being stung by bees over a long period can lead to increased sensitivity to the venom and potentially fatal consequences when the bodies' reaction to the venom suddenly overloads the system. This can happen without warning to even the most experienced beekeeper. So the message is - don't get stung! It is not clever and can kill you.
Modern Beekeeping offer full protective suits and jackets, made from thick, 100% cotton. When worn with our leather gloves you will be bee-proof and safe. The jackets should be worn with stout trousers, ideally with the legs tucked down inside Wellington boots for maximum security as should the suits, though of course, they come with their own built-in trousers. Either combination will increase your confidence and improve your handling of the bees.If you are nervous of being stung you are likely to make sudden, nervous movements which the bees will interpret as a threat. Calm, slow movement, avoiding wherever possible waving the arms over the open hive, will help reassure the bees you offer no threat to their colony.
No protective clothing, short of a brass helmeted diving suit, will ever keep you 100% safe from the bees. Though the fabric of our suits and jackets is very thick, where it is drawn tight across bare flesh the bees may be able to reach you with their sting. This is a feature of all beekeeping protective clothing which is why you should always wear another layer of clothing underneath, particularly at the shoulders and buttocks where the cloth may be drawn tight, especially when you bend over.
The jackets and suits are machine washable and though 100% cotton we recommend only cool washing. No amount of boiling will remove propolis staining so do not bother to try. The hat and veil should only be hand washed.
The leather gloves are not meant to be washed, although we have heard of people successfully putting them through the washing machine on a cool wash. However, we cannot endorse this procedure as it will have an effect on the life of the gloves. If you want to remove propolis and other dirt from the gloves or your hands try one of the "Tar & Bug Removers" sold as a spray at car accessory shops. These also work well on hives and hive tools!
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