We are new at this, but evolving :)
One of our hives is grumpier than all the others. We started out in bare hands. longsleeves and veils, WITH SMOKE :) but now that there is honey in the picture, we started wearing the long leather gloves, veils, of course, & full mechanics jumpsuits (Dickies)to work with the hives (Picture light grey beesuits, marked down to $9 because it is "too hot to work in them in Texas" now. Unless you are working with bees. Just remember to sew the wallet pockets closed ;))
We wear them "just in case". It does make us calmer, especially if something happens that makes the bees less than calm.
I'm sure a bee will sting thru someday, but I watched one try for quite a while, give up and go after the veil. The other hives are fine, but as you near the grumpy one, you start to get harrassed by it's guards.
I cleared weeds by hand & scythe from in front of the hives the other day, still dressed in full bee gear. No problem, except from that one hive, that sent the obligatory 2 guards out to bob in front of my face for the next hour I worked in the yard.
I agree with SaraFina. I like not getting stung on the hands, which was turning into an every week occurance. In spring, with new meek hives, I will probably drop the beesuit, and return to it as, or more likely, shortly after :-\ needed again.