Fit & Fabric Essentials for Automotive Uniforms

Your team spends a majority of their day crouching, bending, reaching and kneeling. They need workwear that keeps up with their movements and still looks good at the end of each shift. A put-together employee gives customers confidence in your staff and your business. In fact, a J.D. Power and Associates survey shows that 75% of consumers prefer employees in uniform. Therefore, choosing automotive uniforms is an important decision. When you’re doing your research, fit and fabric should be top of mind and here’s why.

The Right Fit

• Not too loose – Because your team works with machines and auto parts, you can’t risk having sleeves or pant legs getting stuck in machinery. Also, baggy uniforms may present a sloppy look.
• Not too tight – On the other side of the coin, tight is not good either. Constant bending and stretching means you need a fit that isn’t too restrictive. Taking the proper measurements can be a good start to finding a fit that works.
• Style – Think about how the fit will affect your uniform style. For example, do you want shirts that look tailored even when not tucked in?
• Room to move – Search for tops and bottoms with features that allow for movement. Pants with an inseam gusset provide room to crouch, bend and twist.
• Pant legs – If your employees wear specialty footwear, such as work boots, you’ll want pants that can easily fit over them.

Fabric Matters

• Types and blends – Garments with a mix of fabric mean you get the best properties of both. For example, a Cotton/Polyester blend has the softness of Cotton and the flexibility of Polyester.
• Breathability – Auto garages and warehouses tend to be warm so uniforms that breath are a must. Cooler employees are more comfortable and productive.
• Going the distance – Think of how much your team is in motion throughout the day. They need fabrics that stretch and move with them.
• Weight – Nobody enjoys wearing a heavy uniform especially when you’re under the hood or in tight spaces. Lightweight fabrics, such as Ripstop, won’t slow your employees down.
• Durability – Automotive uniforms should work as hard as you do. Ripstop and Polyester are strong fabrics that resist tears. Other features such as reinforced knees and double-stitched seams will give uniforms extra mileage.
• Stain resistant – With fluids and liquids as common tools of the trade, make sure garments feature fabrics that can repel stains.
• Colour retention – To keep workwear looking professional, choose fabrics that are fade resistant so that colours stay vibrant wash after wash.
• Shrink resistant – Fabrics with strong fibers don’t wear down as quickly, which means they are less likely to shrink. This can mean the difference between premature garment replacement and a proper lifecycle.
• Comfort level – All the previous attributes are important, but that said, you can’t sacrifice comfort. If uniforms don’t feel good, employees won’t want to wear them. Productivity may suffer if workers are more focused on uncomfortable garments than their tasks.

Of course, there are other features to keep in mind like covered buttons that won’t scratch a car surface, darker colours to hide stains and the right number of pockets to keep tools within reach. But considering the type of work your automotive employees perform, fit and fabric can be deal breakers when it comes to comfort and performance. Also, at the end of the day, your uniforms are a reflection of your brand so make sure they are sending the right message