Summer Uniform Tops for Employees

When your employees wear a uniform, they’re acting as the face of your brand. As such, this not only provides you with free advertising, but it also helps create a sense of unity among your employees. And, of course, it also helps ensure that they’re representing you in a professional matter.

However, the wrong type of uniform can have an adverse effect on your brand’s image. For example, maybe your uniforms are simply outdated. You can’t expect your employees to take pride in their work when they’re dreading putting on an archaic uniform every day. Or maybe your employees work in hospitality and their white shirts stain too easily. Don’t forget that a stain on a shirt can stain your reputation as well. Or maybe your current uniform is made of fabric that’s uncomfortable. If your employees are uncomfortable, it affects their job performance. One of the main causes of discomfort in regard to uniforms is the summer heat. Regardless of whether your employees work inside or outside, summer can be unforgiving with regard to work uniforms, unless you have the right kind. Consider the tips mentioned here for finding the right uniform tops to help your employees stay comfortable and breeze through summer in style.

Optimize Durability

If your employees are active, but you still want them to look as professional as possible, embroidered work polo shirts are great because the embroidery lasts through laundering longer than a painted logo would. A polyester/spandex blend with moisture-wicking fabric will keep them comfortable as well. Make sure that it is sturdy enough to withstand the embroidery but also not so heavy that it becomes uncomfortable in the summer heat. Fabric matters when it comes to choosing the right polo shirts for your staff.

Look for Lightweight Fabric

Even if a shirt has short sleeves, that doesn’t mean it is ideal for the summer heat. The weight of the fabric has a lot to do with its warmth, so the heavier the fabric, the warmer it will be. To keep employees cool, a summer uniform top should be made of a breathable fabric like polyester, or maybe even a cotton blend to make it softer.

Don’t Assume a T-Shirt is Just a T-shirt

Not all T-shirts are made equally — anyone who’s ever experienced a shrunken, ripped, stretched-out, or faded T-shirt knows that. Investing in custom company work T-shirts that fight staining, fading, wrinkles, and shrinkage will ensure that your employees stay looking sharp. Do your research and make sure you account for quality above anything else — you’ll save money in the long run.

Manage Moisture

A shirt that wicks away perspiration can be a lifesaver for employees working in the summertime. Even if they don’t work outdoors, the summer heat can be brutal just from the drive to work. Not only should it wick away moisture, but it should also dry quickly. Again, polyester is a great option for its moisture-wicking properties, which will keep your staff cool when the pressure is on. An added bonus would be if the shirt is made from an antimicrobial material, meaning it helps reduce odor from any perspiration that could occur.

Don’t Sacrifice Professionalism

Just because a shirt looks professional, it doesn’t mean it can’t also be durable and comfortable during the summertime. Custom business casual shirts for work can also have moisture-wicking fabric to keep your employees cool when work starts to heat up. Make sure the shirts you choose are wrinkle-resistant as well, so it is easy for your staff to launder them without having to iron them every time.

Block UV Rays

If you hold your fabric up to the light of the sun and you see light showing through, assume that UV rays are getting through as well. That exposure adds up throughout the days, weeks, and months of summer, year after year. Protect your employees with a uniform top that offers UV protection but is also lightweight enough to keep them comfortable.

Most importantly, don’t forget that your employees are the face of your brand. Appearance matters, and what you choose for your employee uniforms should be considered with the same amount of diligence that you put into creating your logo and signage. Don’t forget a uniform policy as well, which can detail how employees should wear their uniforms (for example, should the shirt be worn tucked in, with a certain color of custom uniform work pants, etc.), how often they should be replaced, and how many shirts they should receive without being charged for them. Spelling it out in advance and being clear about your expectations will help you avoid any problems later on.