When and Why Companies Need Custom Uniforms (and When They Don’t)
What does your business’ clothing say about your business? Whether it’s a busy coffee shop with fashion-forward baristas, a growing startup with hip tech professionals, or a boutique retail store with unique styles, your employees’ clothing is likely to reflect the culture and values of your business. But is a strict dress code or formal uniform right for every business?
Wearing branded business apparel has numerous benefits to a variety of businesses, however, not every circumstance calls for custom uniforms. In this article, we will examine the scenarios in which uniforms can bring added value and alternative apparel choices for situations where they do not.
The “Why” and “When”: Benefits of Custom Uniforms
Many industries have uniforms and here’s why companies wear uniforms.
1. Establishing a Cohesive Identity and Trust
The primary reason uniforms are worn is for custom apparel branding. When a business transitions to uniforms, whether in-store or visiting/ on-road (for delivery purposes), custom logo apparel creates instant trust, conveys a sense of safety and professionalism by clearly identifying staff members.
2. Cost-Effective, High-Impact Advertising
Building brand awareness is one of the best ways to receive long-term returns on investment, as products such as apparel can create visible brand promotion for years to come. Custom t-shirts are a cost effective means for a law firm to market itself, and are a great way to promote a law firm locally. However, the success of your marketing efforts heavily relies on the quality of the print. Look no further than hiring a photo printing expert today. South Loop Prints is here to help!
3. Boosting Team Morale and Unity
Wearing employee branded clothing can give employees a feeling of being part of a team and equality in terms of what to wear on a day to day basis. It helps to create a consistent look on the front line for your customers. For Managers/Senior Employees or those dealing with luxury customers, a premium custom embroidered shirt is hard to beat for looks and the overall customer experience.
4. Standing Out at Industry Gatherings
Even if you don’t wear uniforms to work every day, most companies eventually require apparel for an event such as a conference, off-site meeting or trade show. Using event apparel ensures that everyone will be talking about your company as you all make your way through crowded showrooms. There are also many creative ideas for promotional apparel that can drive traffic to your booth by using high-quality hats or stylish t-shirts.
5. Unlocking New Revenue Streams
While the goal of choosing products for employee apparel is to ensure they look good representing your brand, many companies with a loyal following of brand-loyalists also look to capitalize on the opportunity to sell apparel to their “super fans.” By offering corporate apparel for sale, companies can cultivate additional revenue streams while further promoting the brand through the “ambassadors” who proudly wear your brand on a daily basis.
When Companies Don’t Need Custom Uniforms
School uniforms have numerous benefits for students, but as with any school policy, there are certain circumstances under which forced uniform-wearing has negative effects.
On Campus Teams – These individuals may not be required to wear a strict uniform however would still receive branded apparel (in the past we have sent them a branded hoodie or t-shirt as a welcome to the team package!). Fully Remote Teams – would not wear uniforms, however it’s a nice touch to show your appreciation to these team members and build brand awareness. Sending them a branded hoodie or t-shirt as part of the package to celebrate the company on this big day! is a great way to go.
Highly Creative Industries: Ad agencies, art studios and other super high-tech, cutting-edge startups with unique company culture. These spaces do not want to stifle employees’ creativity with a strict dress code. Overall, the culture in these industries is casual and celebrates individuality.
Staff in limited strictly behind the scenes roles are unlikely to require high end logo wear for photography purposes. You may choose to offer a comfortable branded basic t-shirt as an option for them to purchase if required. It is unlikely they would need to wear it on a regular basis and therefore it would not be necessary to make it a mandatory part of their uniform. You would be more likely to require photographs of them working from home with company information visible on screen (e.g. on a laptop or tablet) or in an isolated back office area performing tasks such as data entry.
The Bottom Line
Do you go with a branded look for your company or not? That is largely up to you and your company based upon specific factors. We see employees in facing roles, industry events, and community outreach in local communities in custom apparel. If you are going to go this route, you should get the most out of it to help meet your company’s goals and designs can play a large part in that.
