How to Choose the Right Materials for Uniforms This Summer
Summertime is great when it comes to relaxing on the weekend or enjoying your nights outside. But when you have to work outside, direct sunlight and sweltering temperatures can be brutal. If your employees work outdoors in any capacity, the type of uniform they wear can have an immense effect on their job performance, overall satisfaction, and health and well-being. In fact, heatstroke is a top concern for employers with staff who work outdoors; oftentimes, the signs are ignored until it’s too late. To keep your employees healthy and happy on the job, the easiest thing is to reevaluate their summer uniforms — even if that uniform involves just a simple cotton T-shirt. Here are some tips for choosing the right materials for your employee uniforms this summer.
Define Your Purpose
You may think a certain uniform looks cool and decide you want the exact same look for your employees. While it’s great to be inspired, no matter how cool their uniform looks, it can have a negative effect on your staff and on your bottom line if it is the wrong uniform for the job. For example, will the top get in the way of work tasks, potentially creating safety hazards in the process? Will your employees be working both indoors and outdoors, creating a need for a shirt that will keep them warm in air conditioning but keep them cool outside? As you can see, choosing a uniform shirt involves more than simply liking a particular look. The tasks your employees perform on a day-to-day basis should play a major role when choosing custom uniform shirts for work. In fact, certain employees may require a different uniform than other employees. For example, an outdoor server may need a different uniform top than an indoor bartender depending on the weather in your location.
Know Your Fabric
Before you dive into the decision-making process, be sure that you have a basic understanding of the different materials available to you and what the pros and cons of each are. Here are some of the most reliable choices for summer uniforms:
- Polyester: Polyester is a synthetic material commonly used in athletic apparel. It is popular because of its durability as well as its ability to wick moisture away from the skin. It’s also used in business polo shirts for those same reasons.
- Cotton: Great for sensitive skin, cotton can be lightweight and breathable, depending on how it is used and the quality of the cotton (some cotton is better than others). It also absorbs moisture well, keeping employees dry. Don’t assume that all cotton is moisture-wicking, however.
- Blends: When one material is not completely appropriate, a blend could fit the bill. A polyester and cotton blend assures that the uniform is not only durable and moisture-wicking, but also soft against the skin and more breathable. Poplin is another type of polyester blend that pairs polyester with wool, silk, or any kind of synthetic material.
Lock Out Moisture
Moisture-wicking technology is great for any type of work uniform, regardless of whether it is worn in the summertime or in the wintertime — after all, a cook working over a hot grill all day will perspire regardless of the temperature. The summer heat makes moisture-wicking technology essential for employees who have to wear uniforms outside. Basically, moisture-wicking technology comes from a polyester-cotton blend that takes sweat from the skin and pulls it toward the exterior of the uniform. Once there, it can evaporate more quickly instead of staying locked between the skin and the fabric. The result is a happier, healthier, and more comfortable employee. This feature is pretty common these days, so don’t settle for less in the material you choose. Even custom logo T-shirts can be made with moisture-wicking technology.
Keep it Seasonal
If you’re coming to the realization that you need to rethink your summer uniforms, but you’ve really grown attached to the look of your regular uniforms, remember that you can have a summer uniform and a winter uniform. There’s no need to say goodbye to your old uniform just because the seasons change. Lots of businesses have seasonal uniforms to ensure their employees stay comfortable year-round. Just remember to make sure you have the same logo on any branded or embroidered company uniforms for work for consistency throughout the year.
There is a lot to consider when choosing a uniform that’s right for your employees in the summertime. Don’t make the mistake of choosing fashion over function when you can have both. Just make sure you account for the type of work your employees do. For example, a smoothie restaurant making raspberry smoothies all day wouldn’t put white shirts on their employees unless they were stain-resistant, right? Take some time to consider the type of fabric and color that works best for each role, remembering that the right type of uniform can improve employee morale and also boost your brand’s image.