There is no doubt the working wardrobe is changing. The post-Covid shift towards working from home or hybrid working certainly brought about a rise in athleisure, but now that many companies are moving back to a primarily office-based approach, the return to full corporate wardrobes hasn’t followed. The message is clear – comfort is key whether staff work from home or in the office.

For those managing large uniform accounts, an opportunity exists to tick all the boxes for your customers. Choosing uniform partners wisely allows all your customers’ needs to be addressed simultaneously – comfort and style, authentic branding and happy staff!

 

  1. Comfort is Key

 

Above all, staff want to feel comfortable during their working day so avoiding stiff tailoring and restrictive fabrics is a key consideration when choosing garments.

Soft tailoring is becoming increasingly popular – with natural stretching fabrics like synthetic and natural fibre blends with breathable features amongst the most popular choices. Such fabrics allow for comfortable movement whilst maintaining a professional, tailored appearance. Appropriate sizing is key to comfort also so offering a wide range of sizing is imperative. This is why most Disley garments are offered in sizes 6-30 and shirt sizing from 14.5”- 21” (with a few starting at 13.5” and going to 22”) along with XS to 4XL, with special measure options also available.

Add to this a layering option and it’s clear you’re prioritising comfort as well as class in the approach to staff uniforms.

 

  1. Choose Sustainable Options

 

Far from the fast fashion of the high street, industry reports indicate that employees want to see a corporate capsule wardrobe with high quality items that will stand the test of time. The majority of employees will agree that employers should prioritise environmentally friendly uniform options where possible, with demands made for organic cotton, recycled polyester and biodegradable materials where possible.

At Disley, we recognise that protecting our climate is an obligation we all must address and undertake as ethical suppliers. We’re working hard at producing garments (and indeed replacing existing styles) with BCI cotton and Recycled Polyester, along with recycled polyester zips, embracing recycled packaging – all the small steps we can take to ensure we achieve a big impact on our environment. And we’re doing so in a way which doesn’t result in a hefty price tag to our customers.

 

  1. Inclusivity is Imperative

 

Uniforms are for everyone. The whole purpose of introducing a uniform into an organisation is to create a cohesion, a shared identity, a unified approach. For this reason, it’s imperative to include all staff when choosing uniform options. This includes gender neutral options, unisex styles and a wide range of sizing to suit all body types. Including optional accessories can also give staff a greater ability to express their individualism whilst embracing the collective aesthetic of a shared uniform.

 

  1. Aim for Peak Performance

 

As with the staff who wear it, performance is exceptionally important when it comes to corporate clothing. In order to maintain high standards of professionalism and high levels of wearer comfort, garments should continue to perform wash after wash. Moisture wicking, breathable fabrics are ideal for warmer seasons and for base layers so ensuring a technical garment that meets the demands of individual roles is important. Choosing quality fabrics will pay dividends in the long run, even if the initial price tag may be slightly higher.

At Disley, we’re focused on performance. We want our customers to be able to offer our products safe in the knowledge that they will continue to perform month in and year out.

 

  1. Make it Personal

 

Personalisation is the key to creating a unique identity with your uniform. Embroidering a crest or logo is the obvious way of doing this, but don’t limit your ideas just to this. Your uniform can become the living embodiment of your brand with a subtle addition of a secondary of colour trim.

Disley’s personalisation service has become an increasingly popular way to individualise a uniform offering – adding trims in a secondary colour to the cuffs and/or plackets of shirts and blouses – which can achieve a look truly personal to your own organisation. Find out more here.

 

To conclude, choosing uniform items is a process with many considerations, but adhering to the above recommendations will ensure your customers can make a sound choice for their organisation. Partnering with trusted suppliers like Disley makes this process much easier and ensures a positive result – for you and for your customers.

If you require assistance in selecting a range of garments to cater for your customers’ needs, our team will be more than happy to help. Simply contact us here and we’ll be happy to get in touch.