How to choose the right fabric for your uniform?

when it comes to lasting good looks and wearability understanding the best fabric choice is essential. Get this right and you’ll have workwear that feels great as well as looking good – get it wrong, and you’ll have uncomfortable colleagues, and clothing that quickly looks shabby.  

We believe uniforms are only as good as the fabrics used to make them.Not only should your uniforms be stylish and comfortable, but they should also be durable.

Selecting fabrics can feel like a daunting task and we choose the right fabrics for uniforms day in and day out and we have the knowledge and experience to know exactly what to look for.

Below, we have put together a guide to ensure you make the right selection and decisions for your uniform.

Comfort is essential

Comfort is key when it comes to workwear. You need to be able to rely on your workwear to be durable, resistant, and wearable. Staff require fabric which will keep them comfortable in high heat as well as outdoor elements. If it was not for good quality workwear materials getting through your every day, jobs would become increasingly harder. Look for fabrics that are comfortable to wear, are not too hot and have some stretch, if possible. It is also a good idea to choose fabrics that won't shrink too much and are not scratchy.

Praticality

The first thing to consider when choosing the fabric for your uniforms is the type of work you will do. Choosing the right fabric, will allow workers to get the job done,without worrying.  For example, you can consider using a heavier twill for housekeeping due to its density and hard-wearing nature or perhaps a soft flowing polyester fabric for hostess dresses and tops which require more drape and elegance. Keep fabrics practical and well suited to the job role.

Use polyester / cotton blend fabrics

For workers in both indoor and outdoor environments, a blend of polyester and cotton is very effective and a popular choice for uniform. This blend has the best of both worlds: the comfort and breathability of cotton with the added benefits of polyester.

Polyester blended fabrics are stain and wrinkle resistant. They also maintain their shape better and are more resistant to stains. Select this in a mid-weight fabric for all seasons.

Use Twill

The durability and high thread count of twill fabric, alongside few wrinkles and creases due to the thickness of the fabric, make is a popular choice for clothing for workwear. Twill fabrics show few stains due to the direction of pattern which helps hide dirt and stains from view, so spills at home or on clothes are disguised more easily. This weave works well across all fabrics for uniform.

Use Poly cotton

A perfect selection for shirting, this fabric blend is breathable, long wearing, soft and durable. These qualities mean that it can withstand significant wear and tear – unlike 100% cotton blends, which need to be looked after carefully. Poly cotton fabrics dry relatively quickly, despite being absorbent. This is because polyester, a synthetic material, dries incredibly quickly and cotton, a natural material, is the fastest drying of its kind.