How Women’s Workwear Is Growing – and Why It Matters

As women continue to demonstrate their capability and versatility across every sector, the demand for women’s workwear that actually fits their needs has become impossible to ignore. In a workplace landscape long tailored to male bodies and roles, many legacy workwear items are still designed with men in mind, leading to poor fit, discomfort, and in many cases, safety concerns for female staff.

The steady growth of this sector signals a necessary shift. Inclusive workwear is fast becoming the baseline expectation for forward-thinking employers, from corporate boardrooms to construction sites. At Jermyn Street Design, we’ve seen this change first-hand, and we’re helping our clients lead the way.

A Market That Keeps Growing

Between 2022 and 2027, the global women’s workwear market is projected to continue its significant expansion. This follows consistent growth over the previous five years, confirming that demand is accelerating.

Germany, Europe’s largest workwear economy in 2020, saw a 5.2% growth in women’s workwear. In the Netherlands, the sector grew by 19.2% between 2015 and 2020, compared to just 11.2% for men’s workwear. In Belgium, women’s workwear increased by 10.5%, while men’s workwear declined by 2.2%. These figures reveal a broader trend: companies are finally starting to invest in workwear that supports gender diversity, performance, and inclusion.

Why Women’s Workwear Is Expanding

Women are increasingly entering sectors that were once heavily male-dominated, including construction, manufacturing, logistics, and STEM fields. As more women take on these roles, the shortcomings of existing staff uniform design are coming under scrutiny.

In many industries, the lack of properly fitting garments or personal protective equipment (PPE) has been ignored for too long. Women often find themselves issued with oversized or ill-fitting uniforms originally developed for male proportions, and on job sites it’s potentially dangerous. Loose-fitting hi-vis jackets, for example, can pose a significant snag risk or impair movement.

According to some reports, more than 9 out of 10 women struggle to find PPE that fits. As a result, movements are emerging across sectors demanding properly tailored, industry-specific custom workwear for women. These voices are changing policy and driving innovation.

Challenges to Growth in Women’s Workwear

Evolving Workplace Norms

One challenge to continued growth in women’s workwear is the shift in working styles. With more businesses embracing remote and hybrid models, the need for traditional office attire has declined. Casualwear and flexibility have replaced tailored uniforms for many white-collar roles, particularly in tech and professional services.

In fact, 22% of companies now encourage casual dress every day. This can reduce overall uniform investment, especially in corporate environments. But while this may influence certain sectors, it does little to slow demand in hands-on industries like healthcare, logistics, and construction, where high-performance inclusive workwear is critical.

Cultural Attitudes and Budget Priorities

In some organisations, legacy attitudes towards workwear persist. Uniform decisions are still sometimes made without input from female staff or without considering their daily roles. In others, budget constraints mean investment in new staff uniform design is delayed or deprioritised.

That said, companies that continue to ignore this issue risk falling behind. The wider shift towards workplace equality and ESG accountability means inclusive uniform provision is increasingly viewed as an essential part of business practice.

From Binary to Inclusive Workwear

There’s another reason the women’s workwear market continues to expand: workplace dress codes are evolving. Organisations are embracing a more nuanced understanding of gender identity and expression. Many are moving away from rigidly gendered uniforms and towards more flexible options that empower employees to choose garments based on comfort, not stereotypes.

We’re seeing a growing appetite for androgynous or non-gendered uniform options. These designs prioritise fit, movement and comfort across all body types, without categorising garments by gender. In many ways, this is the future of custom workwear, designed to serve people not outdated assumptions.

A great example of this comes from the airline industry. Virgin Atlantic made headlines by allowing its pilots and cabin crew to choose from traditionally masculine or feminine uniform styles, regardless of gender. These types of changes signal a deeper shift in how brands see their responsibility toward diversity and expression at work.

Designing Industry-Specific Uniforms for Women

Good uniform design is never one-size-fits-all. This is especially true for women working in demanding or high-risk roles. Staff uniform design for sectors like construction, manufacturing, and emergency services must consider more than just brand image; it must address performance, protection, and compliance.

At JSD, we help businesses create custom workwear that reflects real-world needs. That includes using flame-retardant, waterproof, and high-visibility fabrics where needed, as well as incorporating smart design features like stretch panels, cooling technology, or ergonomic pockets. We also factor in maternity needs, modesty preferences, and layering for different working conditions.

Tailoring women’s workwear to specific job roles helps prevent injuries, improves morale, and reinforces a sense of professionalism and pride.

A Sustainable and Inclusive Future

Sustainability is another driver in the rise of inclusive workwear. As more companies commit to their ESG goals, they’re seeking suppliers who offer better design and practices. This includes using recycled or organic materials, reducing waste in production, and designing uniforms for end-of-life recyclability.

As a certified B Corporation, JSD leads the way in sustainable uniform development. We’re proud to combine ethical sourcing, innovative materials and long-lasting design to deliver custom workwear that meets the highest standards in both function and purpose.

Sustainable growth in women’s workwear goes hand-in-hand with wider progress on workplace inclusion, climate responsibility, and corporate accountability. That’s why forward-looking businesses are taking action now.

What’s Next for Women’s Workwear?

The message is clear: there’s no going back. As more women step into leadership roles, field-based positions, and frontline industries, the demand for inclusive workwear will only increase.

Organisations that embrace this moment by working with specialist designers, listening to staff feedback, and investing in fit-for-purpose uniforms will reap the benefits. Those that don’t risk being left behind.

At Jermyn Street Design, we’ve been championing inclusive, responsible staff uniform design for over 40 years. From high-performing PPE to stylish, flexible custom workwear, we design for real people doing real jobs and we believe everyone deserves to feel comfortable, capable, and confident in what they wear.