Companies are becoming more and more specific about what their employees wear, whether it’s C-level management or frontline teams. But business managers aren’t only concerned about the costs of company uniforms – they are more interested in the image-enhancing potential that managed work wear strategies offer and their impact on the environment.

According to Hubbub, corporate uniforms present a huge environmental concern because they are a hidden yet significant source of textile waste (https://www.wiseworksafe.com/blog/view/how-to-dispose-of-branded-uniform-responsibly). In fact, 15,000 tonnes of corporate uniforms end up in landfills in the UK every year. That offers a huge opportunity for businesses to positively impact the environment by being more discerning about the type of fabric they choose for their workforce uniforms.

That’s where Keltic Clothing comes in. Besides offering a large selection of bespoke corporate clothing and staff uniforms, Keltic Clothing is committed to environmental sustainability by rolling out eco-friendly workwear. For example, the polyester used in the company’s corporate suits and uniforms is sourced from recycled plastic. This eco-friendly approach to the garment-making processes has prevented over half a million plastic bottles from ending up in landfills and oceans!

Practical tips for choosing proper corporate uniforms

Uniforms provide an excellent resource for team-building among your staff. They also improve the overall customer service because most customers are more inclined to approach uniformed staff. After all, they perceive them as competent professionals who stand out. Beyond looking good, choosing corporate clothing requires managers to consider the broader concept that focuses on employee health and safety, as well as fabric choice, to ensure staff feel comfortable, relaxed, and happy with their office uniforms.

If you’re planning to invest in workplace clothing, here are some valuable insights to help you choose the right workwear for your organisation.

Uniform practicality

When thinking about the practicality of corporate work wear, ask yourself: “Will my staff carry out their roles or tasks comfortably with the supplied uniforms?” Uniform practicality should be a top priority because, as a business manager, you have to ensure staff members have their basic needs covered. That’s critical, especially if you manage safety wear and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Remember, you’re legally mandated to supply employees with safety uniforms and gear lest they refuse to work or consider go-slows. While that might seem extreme, neglecting that duty exposes them to health and safety risks that might place your business on the receiving end of lawsuits.

Therefore, think about what outfit and safety kits will enable them to work comfortably and effectively. Choose well-fitting uniforms that evoke a sense of pride at work, enhance mental health, and create a positive feeling about how they look.

Consider the fabric

It’s virtually impossible to have outstanding office wear without great fabric. The material must be suitable for the specific job and have an eye-catching appearance. Selecting high-quality fabric requires a knack for identifying fine, densely woven yarns finished with high adherence to the highest industry standards.

Depending on your industry, you may have legislations and regulations on health and safety standards to consider when choosing corporate uniforms. It would be best to look for clothing material that protects your employees from work-related accidents, injuries, and adverse environmental conditions, such as poor visibility, cold, rain, heat, and flames.

More importantly, you should gear your fabric selection strategy toward eco-friendliness. The Guardian discovered that Britons discard over 100 billion plastic products each year (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/12/uk-dispose-of-100bn-plastic-packaging-year), which has a significant impact on the environment. To contribute to environmental sustainability, ensure the synthetic fabric you choose is eco-friendly, preferably sourced from recycled plastic to mitigate the effects plastics have on land and marine environments.

Garment sizes and quantities

While you may have your own strategies in place, we advise that you first take stock on your end before placing an order. Count the number of each work wear item you currently have and compare it to the required stock levels.

That process can be daunting, but you can make it easier by taking inventory of each piece of outfit based on sizes. Such an approach gives you a clear understanding of the quantity of each size you need to purchase. If possible, involve your employees by asking for their work wear sizes and integrating that information into your ordering process.

Inventory management

You need to consider several factors as you prepare for the delivery of your work wear order, especially if you have many employees requiring multiple sets of uniforms. Doing that is relatively easy when you have a single location, but it may present a challenge if you have several branches.

Organising the efficient distribution of company uniforms can usurp significant time and money, which could otherwise be spent on internal processes. That’s why partnering with a clothing company that offers packing services helps because you’ll receive the items already tailored and packed for each employee. If possible, have them sent to their home addresses.

Uniform colour

Now that we have discussed the basic fundamentals of corporate work wear, it’s now time to get into the more fun stuff – integrating your brand identity into quality staff uniforms!

At Keltic Clothing, we boast an extensive gamut of colours you can choose from to ensure you get the products that complement your brand. We also provide work wear consultancy services, helping you weigh the colour options that resonate with your brand logo.

A practical strategy would be to select different colour garments to distinguish various departments or teams, which we can effortlessly accommodate. Nonetheless, you also need to consider the laundry aspect since some colours require specific washing techniques while others are simple to wash and dry.

Choose work wear based on gender

In the UK, one in five (20%) employees believe there’s a gender disparity in office uniforms (https://www.financedigest.com/1-in-5-uk-workers-believe-there-is-a-gender-divide-with-work-uniforms.html). To bring a gender balance to company uniforms, it’s crucial to understand that men and women don’t have to be adorned in matching garments.

Today, there is a wide range of options for coordinating pieces of clothing to suit both men and women. Here’s a practical example: you can choose a standard colour for the trousers and skirts, then provide a range of coordinated designs, colours, and embroidery for the shirts and tops. The secret is to maintain brand integrity while offering flexibility.

Partner with Keltic Clothing and get quality company uniforms

At Keltic Clothing, we specialise in delivering quality office wear to companies in the UK and beyond. We make quality, eco-friendly, and tailored corporate uniforms that echo your brand. Visit us online or contact us at 08450 66 66 99 to place an order today.