The first instance of work uniforms can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Employees would wear badges on them to represent who they worked for. It established a sense of trust and pride while proving their legitimacy. Today they are much more than a piece of clothing. Top businesses opt for staff uniforms for a plethora of reasons. They promote a brand, offer free advertising and create a team spirit. Employees feel professional and act accordingly. It helps develop a sense of solidarity with a high-performing work environment.
A perfect company uniform makes a significant difference while ensuring safety, security and sanitation. It is especially useful for companies that have a face-to-face model to offer robust customer service. No wonder the global workwear and uniform market is expected to record a CAGR of about 5% during 2018-2025. Designing an ideal one is not easy. You will have to keep products, services, applications, demography, and region in mind. To start off, below are a few points you may consider.
1. Comfort Must be the Top Priority
Choose the right material for your uniform. For example, cotton fabric with linen is breezy and ensures excellent breathability. A certain percentage of elastane improves elasticity and thus offers an incredible fit. Boost brand visibility and showcase the quality of service and workmanship through well-fitted logoed uniforms. Wool fabrics for winters can maintain shape. You can also pick a bamboo fabric that is extremely soft and odor-free. They are also hypoallergenic that do not irritate sensitive skin.
Cotton, polyester, and nylon ensure unparalleled comfort as well and are most suitable for all kinds of professions like sports or healthcare. Avoid viscose since it might wear out with frequent dry cleaning.
2. Pick the Right Color
Colors broadly align with traits like brown with ruggedness, red with excitement and purple with sophistication. You must think from consumers’ perspectives and predict their reactions to certain shades. For example, the British multinational toy retailer Hamleys have got their employees dressed in red. The color is warm, bright, and attractive and powerful for a store meant for kids. Black or brown would not make such a profound impact since they often provoke emotions like dullness or sadness.
But make sure the uniform colors are aligned with your logo. It keeps your brand cohesive across all channels and helps advertise the business better. Explore options and pick the closest one that compliments your brand and help establish the desired personality. For example, plain white portrays Apple as a clean sophisticated brand.
3. Incorporate Personalization
This is a big part of a successful customer experience. It offers a sense of familiarity and personal service for all. Stitch or print the name of the staff or use a badge or label. Your potential clients will know who is representing your brand and assisting their buying journey. It can initiate a better interaction by addressing the salesperson that can drive customer engagement. Try to add questions like, ‘May I Help?’ or ‘How Can I Help You?’ to distinguish between regular employees and customer care executives. Work with a supplier that offers a cost-effective solution.
Make sure the uniform is durable, matches contemporary clothing styles and is perfect for the industry you are working in. Consider employee inputs as well for ultimate satisfaction.
