The Importance Of Quality Within Uniform Design
A high-quality uniform reflects well on a company and conveys a sense of professionalism and attention to detail. Not only can this have a beneficial impact on a businesses image in the eyes of the customer, but it can also affect the staff working on a daily basis. In this article, we will be discussing the importance of quality in uniform design and how custom workwear can impact an organisation in many ways.
Defining Quality Within Work Uniforms
Work uniforms can be important for many reasons; they create a brand identity, they increase the overall team morale and they improve employees’ well-being. So, where does quality come into uniform design?
Now, more than ever, the quality of clothing, including uniforms, has become important. High-quality uniforms offer an increased level of durability, comfort, functionality and even, aesthetic. Across every industry, a high-quality uniform is valuable. For instance, individuals who work ‘in kitchens, stores, hospitals, who often need to spend entire days on their feet serving customers’ will require uniforms that move with them and can handle the everyday chaos that comes with working these highly demanding roles.
How High Quality Design Can Improve Company Sustainability
By choosing high-quality workwear, you are also choosing sustainable workwear. Every single year ‘across the world we produce 92 million tonnes of textile waste’ and unfortunately, this includes old or unwanted uniforms. By ‘embracing sustainable practices in the creation and maintenance of uniforms, businesses can reduce their environmental footprint’ and contribute to a much more eco-friendly future.
High-quality retail uniforms and general workwear are much more durable. This means that, due to less wear and tear, uniforms will last longer and are able to withstand more mileage. Without the need to throw out so many old, broken or worn out uniforms, a business can not only save money and time, but also prevent more fabric ending up in landfill.
In addition, to less waste, uniforms can now also be designed custom, with sustainable fabrics. There are many natural options for fabrics, such as ‘organic cotton, hemp, bamboo and recycled fibres, which are long-lasting, use less water to grow and don’t deplete soil, making it great for the planet’. Although some sustainable fabrics, such as recycled polyester, may not possess the same level of durability as its less sustainable counterpart, virgin polyester, the environmentally conscious option remains available for those looking to better their carbon footprint.
The Importance Of Quality In Different Sectors
As touched on briefly above, the quality of a uniform is an important factor across many industries, but some more than others. On cruise ships for instance, uniforms ‘have to be washed at 40o and then tumble dried to be used again quickly to minimise the need for extra stock’. This means that the uniforms not only have to be high-quality to be able to withstand this large amount of washing, on hot temperatures, but also, there would be a limited amount of options for the ship to house replacements.
Other industries, such as construction, retail and transportation can also have similar challenges. As well as being able to withstand a number of workplace trials, custom uniforms should also be able to produce a ‘sense of team unity, maintain equality among individuals, and create a professional appearance’.
Construction Uniforms
Construction is a manual role which involves staff members typically working outside throughout the year. Workwear for these jobs will have to be able to withstand all the elements, including the changes of weather and getting dirty. ‘Additionally, the apparel must be easy to move in, comfortable’ as working on a building site can involve a lot of physical labour.
Construction uniforms also need to meet certain safety standards. For instance, ‘building companies require workers to wear hard helmets and non-slippery boots on the job site to ensure their protection’. Construction uniforms will also tend to be made with hi-vis material, so workers are easily spotted and lessening their chances of getting injured ‘while hauling large loads or using potentially harmful equipment’.
Retail Uniforms
Retail is another industry where the quality of uniforms have to be considered. Retail uniforms need to promote fit and functionality above all else. When designing retail uniforms, certain fabrics can be chosen to assist with the durability of these pieces. Many people opt for polyester, poly-cotton, nylon, or Lycra for their preferred fabrics when working in retail, as they promote an ease of movement that other fabrics may not.
In 2004, Jermyn Street Design won the contract to create custom uniforms for DUFRY’s UK operations World Duty Free. Since then, we have created three other ranges for World Duty Free’s 3,800 staff and in 2020 we were also ‘appointed to design uniforms for DUFRY’s global range with over 500 outlets in 21 countries across five continents’. Whilst designing these specialised retail uniforms, we had to choose fabrics which provided durability and allowed staff members to move freely. To do this, we designed the DUFRY uniforms with a blend of polyester, wool and Lycra fabrics.
Transport Uniforms
The transport industry can encompass many different roles, including air travel, train and drivers for taxis and bus services. These roles are less likely to consist of manual labour like construction, but are equally as customer-facing as retail.
Whilst travelling customers need to feel safe, and this has to be reflected in the uniforms of the employees they engage with. Uniforms need to be clear and high-quality so customers are able to identify employees by their uniform, which also helps to improve customer service – a particularly valuable commodity in an age of automation.’ Through this, customers will get ‘a positive impression, with high standards being set subliminally in their mind.’
How JSD Could Help Your Business Succeed
Here at JSD, we can help you design the perfect uniform – from concept to creation. No matter the industry, business or brand, we can adapt our approach and operations to suit your specific needs. Our process of designing encompasses four stages, including; the research and uniform design aspect, development and manufacturing, getting the custom workwear to your employees and logistics.
Not to mention, when designing a uniform with your team, you are not only enhancing your business, but also helping the planet simultaneously. At Jermyn Street Design, we put the planet first and incorporate our green practices into our design process. If you are looking to improve your company’s image and customer perception and experience, get in contact with one of our team members today.
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