Three Ways to Keep Your Team Business Casual and Comfortable in Fleece
Gone are the days when wearing business casual attire meant dressing up in suiting separates. Sure, pencil skirts and tailored pants exude an undeniably professional quality and certainly have their place in the office. But by incorporating a more relaxed fabric like fleece into your business uniform, it’s entirely possible for your staff to take a more relaxed approach while still exhibiting the same degree of professionalism.
But fleece? Isn’t that usually reserved for weekends on the couch and football games in the fall? While there’s undoubtedly a deeply casual association with soft and touchable fleece, the material is far more versatile than you might think. It’s remarkably lightweight, and the lack of bulk works in its favor by lending your team’scustom uniformsa more polished look. It’s also breathable, durable, flexible, and even resistant to moisture. It’s rare for a fabric to provide that many benefits. Here are three easy ways to incorporate it into your team’s wardrobe.
SKIP THE STANDARD SWEATERS
While nothing compares to the comfort of a cozy sweater, a warm and toasty fleece pullover makes a relaxed alternative. The trick is to select a style that flows instead of one that’s baggy. This will lend it a more reserved, business casual vibe. Your team can easily pair it with matching uniform work pants for a thoughtfully curated look from top to bottom. Look for distinctive details that contribute to its comfortable feel, like soft brushing for a smooth finish and high necklines that promote all-day warmth.
Fleece pullover sweaters are extremely versatile, too. Your staff members can wear them anywhere and everywhere, from the office to a trade show to an outdoor event in the fall or winter. They’re sleek enough to layer beneath coats and easy to throw on overcustom company shirts. Adding your logo is an easy way to boost your company’s presence at public events and help your employees stand out.
OPT FOR COMFORTABLE OUTERWEAR
Whether they work in construction, engineering, architecture, agriculture, or any other field that calls for them to spend a significant amount of time outside, they’ll appreciate the practicality of comfortable outerwear that prioritizes their warmth above all else. After all, you can’t expect them to deliver their best game if they don’t feel their best—and that begins with soft clothing that feels as great as it looks.
Fleece locks heat inside, ensuring that your staff members feel toasty-warm when they’re on the job. That’s key when moving from one spot to another, giving tours to guests, and dealing with clients. Choose fromcustom uniform work vests, pullovers, and full-zip jackets. They pair perfectly with various pieces that your outdoor staff might wear, like robust work pants, khaki pants, and thick leggings. They’re also easy to layer over everything from T-shirts to long-sleeved tops, ensuring warmth and comfort even on the coldest of days. Some styles can even be worn beneathuniform jacketsor coats when the weather calls for it.
TRY A FLEECE BLAZER
Clean lines and a flawless appearance lend a fleece blazer an impeccable look. Yet, for all its polish, it definitely falls more under the business casual spectrum thanks to its material. Less refined than other fabrics, fleece has the power to transform an otherwise corporate-friendly piece into something that is decidedly more laid-back. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s not worthy of the workplace. When you want your team to take a more casual approach without sacrificing that innate sense of business-influenced style, a blazer that offers the best of both worlds makes a practical choice.
Look for details that set it apart, like seams that lend definition for a more pulled-together appearance. They also prevent the blazer from appearing too relaxed or loose. Another enormous advantage associated with fleece blazers is their simplicity. Unlike traditional blazers, the fleece variety is easy to toss in the washing machine. Even with regular wear and washes, it won’t lose its shape or integrity. That’s especially important to employees who work outside or in environments where they risk getting a little messy from time to time. Adding a pair ofcustom work pantsand a pair of booties, flats, or low-profile pumps is the ideal finishing touch.
The advantages of wearing business casual clothing are unsurpassed. Employees fare best when they’re simply comfortable. That begins with clothing that feels as great as it looks—and that’s so soft, they might even be tempted to wear it while they’re hanging out at home or running errands. Whether for year-round wear or to provide your team with some practical seasonal options during fall and winter, fleece apparel offers the ideal middle ground. It’s casual but businesslike—and oh-so-comfortable in its many forms. What could be better for your busy team?