Thought Leaders

Workwear: Employer and Employee Perspective

EMPLOYEE VIEW

If you have started a new job, switched department or are looking to take your first step on the career ladder, then knowing what to wear to work is important. 

It can often be a tricky decision for many. You don’t know what everyone else wears. You want to look smart, but you don’t want to be overdressed. Nevertheless, you certainly don’t want to be the most casual person in the building. Yet, you definitely want to feel comfortable. 

Getting it right can certainly be difficult. However, with the following tips you should easily be able to achieve office wear success…

Be yourself

It sounds clichéd, but it is true. If you don’t feel comfortable in what you are wearing then you aren’t going to be as productive because your mind will be on your clothing rather than your work. 

If you don’t like wearing suits – don’t wear one. There are plenty of other options that are just as smart. What about a pencil skirt and a blouse? There is no one correct piece of workwear. You need to consider office wear as a style of clothing rather than a list of cans and cants.

Think with your head 

Nevertheless, there are still some clear rules in place. No cleavage. No short skirts. No clothing pieces covered in glitter. And the list goes on… 

If you need to think about then don’t wear it. There is nothing more embarrassing and unprofessional than turning up to work in inappropriate attire. You know yourself what is suitable and what is not. Don’t try and overstep the mark. 

No denim 

There aren’t many offices or businesses whereby denim clothing is suitable, so don’t try and test the water with your new company. Jeans and alike are largely considered to be far too casual for work so this is a fabric to avoid.

Find a staple

Find a piece of clothing that is going to be your best friend for work when no one else will be. This should be a piece of clothing that is versatile and thus can be teamed with an array of other garments and looks. 

This allows you to wear the same thing to work again and again without people realising. Good examples of workwear staples include black pencil skirts and white shirts. 

Dress for the occasion

If you have a client meeting then you need to make sure you look your best. You are essentially going to be a representation of your company and the brand. Thus, looking professional and smart is imperative. 

You also need to ensure the office you use to conduct the meeting in is like this too. And that is why it is always recommended to hire meeting rooms from companies. You and the office need to be flawless.

Colour

And finally, all colours are acceptable, but all shades are not. Take yellow for example; there is nothing wrong with a lemon coloured blouse, but there is everything wrong with a neon coloured top. 

EMPLOYER VIEW

Whether you run a construction firm or a gardening business, you will be aware of the need to have special industrial workwear to suit the jobs you are carrying out. Not only are specific uniforms important for safety, but professional image as well. Nevertheless, to really reap the advantages of workwear, another thing you should certainly consider is having it personalised. Keep on reading to discover all of the reasons why this is advisable…

There is only one place to begin and this is with branding. Nowadays, branding is of the utmost importance. Competition is fierce and you need to do everything in your power to stand out from other businesses in your industry. By ensuring that all of your workers are dressed identically and that their workwear features your company name or logo, you are giving out a strong brand image. Everything from the clothing your workers wear to the documentation you send to your clients needs to be done with branding in mind – it needs to be a representation of who you are as a business and the services you provide. 

Aside from this, another obvious advantage of personalised industrial workwear is increased exposure. More and more people will become familiar with your business and this can only be a good thing. Whether your workers are on their way to work or popping to the coffee shop for a lunch break, whomever they pass will see your logo on their workwear. This will stick in their mind and who knows what business could come from it.

Personalised industrial workwear, such as personalised hoodies, can also have a positive impact on your employees. It can give them a sense of unity and make everyone feel equal. Little things like this can make all the difference in terms of employee satisfaction. It makes your workers feel valued and like they are a part of something. You could even include your company’s phone number or email on the workwear so that you are easier to contact. 

When you take all of the points that have been mentioned into account, it is not difficult to see why personalised workwear comes highly advised. Not only does it offer benefits in terms of more exposure and better branding, but you will increase employee satisfaction and unity as well. This can only be a good thing and may lead to a spike in productivity levels immediately after the workwear has been purchased. 

PM Today Contributor
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