Imagine if you had a medical appointment and your doctor showed up wearing a dirty t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops. Or you are a parent, and your child’s teacher comes to class in a bikini. You're mind would likely be bubbling with questions – and plenty of words you’d need to bite your tongue on.
How you dress in the workplace is crucial. While we're often forgetful of what we're throwing on for the day, our uniforms say a lot for who we are as a brand, and the reflection we're mirroring.
In essence, uniforms are usually actioned to show the united values and inclusion of those involved in a workplace or community. Because of this, there are many benefits to including a standardised attire across the brand. These include:
- Promoting the company's presence and values;
- Making staff recognisable and more accessible to identify by customers;
- Presenting a tidy and professional image of staff to the public;
- Ensuring that employees are dressed appropriately for their duties;
- Maintaining the health and safety of employees with protective clothing.
A uniform can vary depending on the industry you work in, and the type of work you are required to perform. Here are some general examples of for different situations:
The corporate office
Office workplaces tend to establish dress codes which usually range between corporate apparel, to casual or formal business attire. These codes are usually also an informal and unwritten policy that is flexible or a more formal policy that is adhered to by all employees. As a result, these agreements ensure responsibility among employees, as well as a professional and coherent company image. Typical corporate apparel for each gender is usually based on:
Men:
- Clean and ironed white or pastel-coloured shirt
- A conservative tie
- Business trousers with a matching suit jacket
- Dark socks
- Black or brown dress shoes
- In some cases, hi-vis wear may be the standardised agreement.
Women:
- A blouse or button-up shirt
- Dress pants, or skirt at knee length or longer
- Closed-toe shoes with a low heel.
Tech start-ups
With entrepreneurial businesses springing up everywhere, dress codes are open to interpretation, and start-up tech environments are renowned for wearing loose-fitting jeans, polo shirts, hoodies and T-shirts. Generally, the dress code for start-ups and similarly relaxed offices varies between business casual and smart casual. Companies that aren’t client-facing tend to adopt for a more laidback approach to clothing, compared to those that do.
Service businesses
For specific service industries that are focused on the customer – such as a restaurant, department store or hospital – staff are required to wear standardised apparel so that they are easily identifiable.
For example, a waitperson’s uniform may include a branded cap and apron; a hotel manager may wear a specially designed suit with a name badge, or a shop assistant may wear a polo shirt with the company logo.
Industrial sites
For industries such as labour, construction, factory and trade, uniform becomes critical to occupational health and safety. Industrial workwear is often designed to protect wearers from the risk of injury or illness. Some examples of personal protective equipment (PPE) incorporated into these uniforms can include:
- Hard hats
- Goggles
- Earmuffs
- High-visibility vests and tops over a loose, long sleeve shirt
- Gloves
- Long, high-visibility pants
- Safety boots with reinforced toe capping
Sport and fitness
Professionals of the sport and fitness industries tend to wear uniforms designed for functional activity, with comfort, durability and flexibility in mind. These include:
- Athletic singlets and shirts
- Jackets or hoodies
- Running shorts, gym pants or compression tights
- Training shoes
- Hi-vis and reflective clothing (for more adventurous activities, such as cycling at night).
Uniforms come in a wide variety of designs and types, so it’s essential to choose the right look and feel for your situation. Some options can offer several benefits across professionalism, comfort, safety and advertisement, all the while presenting a positive company image. Plus, life is much easier when you eliminate the stress of deciding what to wear to work each morning.