Companies elect to purchase corporate clothing for a variety of different reasons. Regardless of your specific reason, business clothing can be both practical and functional and it can also help to build and establish your brand.
How does corporate wear build brand awareness?
Businesses use company clothing to help build brand awareness by promoting the company name and logo. As well as to create a sense of unity and a corporate culture that fosters ‘unity’ and makes it easy for clients and customers to quickly recognise employees.
Do uniforms make a real difference to the way staff act or perform?
A well thought out and carefully planned business dress or uniform policy will leave employees feeling confident and professional. Granted, it can be difficult to fully measure the true effect that such a policy has on a workplace. The widespread consensus is that the way an employee dresses not only affects their state of mind but it also encourages them to feel like a real member of the team and has been reported to assist businesses in maintaining higher levels of professionalism. Corporate clothing leaves employees feeling more connected to the people they work with and the companies they work for.
Are uniforms commonplace now?
Absolutely! Hundreds of thousands of workers across the United Kingdom wear uniforms when they go to work. These range from restaurant workers to retail staff, to emergency services personnel and police officers. The chances are good that every citizen will encounter at least one individual in a uniform every single day.
For many workers, business uniforms are an extension of their work life. Additionally, uniforms make it easy for the general public to quickly identify the public servants and service industry personnel that they deal with on a day to day basis.
What to do when your employees don’t view corporate clothes positively
Employees who are used to wearing their street clothing to work will likely be reluctant to the idea of having to wear a uniform. However, this reluctance typically passes quickly when the change is introduced in a positive manner.
One of the least problematic ways to encourage staff to adopt a uniform policy is to ask for their input during the pre-implementation period. Many managers are surprised to learn how cooperative staff can become when they are asked to take a formative role in the decision-making process.
It might also be helpful to design an entire line of corporate wear that takes into consideration different styles and budgets, this allow staff members to pick a style that is unique to them but still follows corporate guidelines. For example, some employees may prefer a blazer over a sweater and women may prefer skirts to pants, etc.
It is important to ensure that the clothing created is functional, comfortable to wear and easy to clean. No one will wear clothing that is made of low quality material, doesn’t fit correctly and restricts movement.
Are there any negative points to having a dress code?
The most difficult challenge that employer’s face when trying to implement a companywide dress code is ensuring compliance. Not all staff members are happy to have someone dictate what they wear and how they wear it.
After a dress code has been established, it becomes necessary to ensure that all of the necessary items are being worn and that they are being worn correctly. Many businesses find success in dedicating someone to monitor dress code compliance and to assist staff who may be having difficulty getting their uniform to work.
