Personal Workwear vs. Corporate Uniform

by Natasha Christou Digital Marketing Consultant

When it comes to fashion choices, 2019 will be the year that champions individuality. Although you may think this only applies to the everyday street-style, it’s no secret that more businesses are beginning to let their staff wear more casual clothing to work, which is sparking mass conversation amongst the corporate uniform supplier’s health and safety standpoint.

Traditionally, uniforms were non-negotiable and just something you would expect to come with the job. The idea of corporate workwear stems back to offering a certain level of customer service, and to inevitably create a better shopping experience for anyone that walks through the door. This also makes it easier for shoppers to identify who works for the business and what position they’re in — whether this is a general shop assistant or someone in a managerial position.

Although certain sectors continue to take pride in having a uniform, there is an evident shift occurring with businesses that have a younger workforce and audience demographic. But why is this happening?

Bettering the brand

It’s no surprise that brands are switching up the ways that they present themselves to the public, as competition on the high-street continues to be a challenge that many businesses are facing. With reports suggesting that the high-street is experiencing a dramatic decline, stores are trying to become more innovative to improve customer and staff retention. Uniforms have recently become a big focus for many businesses.

To connect with customers on a personal level, more organisations are allowing employees to ‘dress-down’, to encourage uniqueness and to show shoppers that they’re able to adapt with the times.

If you’re an avid coffee drinker, you may have noticed that Starbucks has loosened up its workwear requirements and made room for casual clothing. Previously, baristas would wear buttoned-up black or white shirts and black or khaki pants, accompanied with their signature green apron. But now, rules have become lax surrounding what they’re allowed to wear beneath the apron.

The choice of clothing has definitely expanded at this coffee chain in particular, and while rules still must be followed, staff have a lot more opportunity for self-expression. The Starbucks employee lookbook states that baristas can wear black, white, grey, navy and brown shirts as a solid or for a subdued, small-print, low-contrast pattern. However, sweatshirts, hooded shirts, cap-sleeve and short-sleeve V-neck or T-necks are forbidden.

Although you may remember some baristas wearing caps with a Starbucks logo, their options have now varied too, with flat caps, trilby hats and beanies becoming an option. Employees are also allowed to wear scarves, but they must be tucked behind their apron!

The threats dressing-down poses and an alternative solution

Although many young people like the idea of casual workwear for their nine to five, it can be problematic and not many brands seem to be considering this. Brands that have adopted the casual-clothing idea are seemingly allowing their staff to wear their own clothes that fit specific style/colour requirements at work, which could have a negative impact on their productivity, duties and other colleagues.

Your staff won’t fully understand what materials and styles work well for different jobs. If your staff decide to wear a tight material, this could prevent them from reaching up to a shelf for example — the limitations an item of clothing has on their abilities will be the last thing on their mind.

However, this doesn’t mean that brands can’t allow their staff to dress down, there’s just better ways to go around implementing such processes. With technology and design opportunities advancing at a rapid rate, uniform providers are now able to facilitate any requirements when it comes to corporate workwear — whether you opt for professional or a more relaxed style of attire. By opting for a professional service, you’ll won’t have to worry about design regulations that are required for your working environment that have been set out by governing bodies; as the responsibility will fall with them.

Not only this, they’ll likely organise a consultation with your business to fully understand the requirements of the job and how the uniform needs to be designed to meet them. It’s important to strike a balance between something that is practical with something that your staff feel proud to wear and feel like they’re part of something greater.

A long-term investment

It’s important for businesses to look at uniforms as a long-term investment, rather than an additional expense that they don’t need to encounter. Not only will uniforms allow you to stay within workwear regulations, it will also reduce the time you spend monitoring clothing if staff do choose to wear their own styles for work.

From an employee perspective though, while the idea of wearing their own clothes to work might be nice initially, it could become a burden as other expenses come into play. This could include rent, groceries as well as general clothing. If they have the responsibility to also purchase suitable workwear, this will be another deducting factor that comes out of their wage.

However, a set uniform would be a business’ responsibility and would create a unified brand image which would also be suitable for the workplace conditions. Have you considered a corporate uniform for your employees?