The company uniform and business dress code has evolved over many decades. The company uniform began with just a plain or coloured shirt with the company logo usually placed at the top left of the shirt. Over the eras, the company uniform had incorporated the respective trends of that time.
Since not too long ago, uniform policies within the work environments have been much more relaxed than they used to be. Major companies have been coming up with the ‘business casual’ kind of uniform. This evolution has seen the traditional types of uniform becoming less and less common.Companies are now adopting a more casual and relaxed corporate uniform policy to keep up with contemporary trends and style.
CORPORATE BRANDING
Looking at the purpose of most brand strategies, it is crystal clear how effective corporate wear or uniform is, in building an identity.
A brand identity refers to all the visual elements of a brand, as seen and perceived by the consumer. These visual elements include design, symbols and colours that work together to create a recognisable image.
It cannot be emphasised more that the importance of an identity is immense for the growth and success of the brand and company. Any established brand or corporate identity will become clearly recognisable by consumers. This will eventually translate into providing clients and customers with the trust that will, in turn, become company loyalty. The ultimate aim of any brand and company is to have that brand become a household name.
INCORPORATING FASHION TRENDS AND STYLE TO COMPANY UNIFORM
More and more companies are revamping their staff uniforms to keep up with the timesand alsoin-keeping with what employees want to wear. But the question is, are they getting it right?
The primary objective of corporate uniforms is to create a long-lasting impression outside as well as inside. To brand your business with a corporate label, it is important to establish an image that works for both the employees and the public. A corporate uniform creates and instils a sense of loyalty among employees and alsoenhances the public perception of the quality, trustworthiness and reliability of the brand. In this regard, the corporate uniform, if done well, will be the influential power that will convey the message you want.
Corporate wearof the earlydayshas been taking on new trend directions as compared to now. As people wear the corporate uniform to the office daily, corporate wear is now being focused on style, without subduing the corporate branding essentials like colour and logo.
CASE STUDY :MCDONALD’S
McDonald’s has always made it a point to adapt its uniform to the current era. In the 1970s, it introduced kick flares and chocolate brown tones which suited the swinging times. In the 1980s, it introduced primary colours and pin stripes, in tandem with the power-suit boom of that era. Thereafter, the fast food brand brought in a softer look to erase the power look of the 1980s. And recently, it unveiled its latest look. To suit its revamped and modernised retail outlets, the McDonald’s uniforms incorporated black and mocha polo shirts, baseball caps, fashion scarves and aprons. And managers were tasked to wear black suits with white or cappuccino-coloured shirts.
HOW TO SIMPLIFY YOUR COMPANY UNIFORM AND YET LOOK TRENDY
When choosing a corporate uniform for your company it is not always what’s currently in fashion. More often it is about marketing and branding. So ideally, you need to combine today’s fashiontrend in your corporate uniform whilemaintaining the marketing and branding goals at the forefront. Here are some tips on how to simplify your uniform to stay ‘fashionable’ and yet maintain your marketing and branding objectives.
- DON’T try to be too Fashionable!
A company uniform is an investment in time and money. It goes without saying that most fashions will come and go. The basic and simple tip here is DON’T toy with the current fashion trends. Instead look at conjuring up a uniform with a classic style. Use classic pieces that have been around for decades and will continue to be wardrobe items for years to come.
- Do not abandon Your Corporate Colours
Design uniform pieces that complement and fit in with your corporate colours. As you already are aware, a uniform is a marketing tool, created to enhance your brand and gets people to identify your staff. To move away from your corporate colours and design is a recipe for disaster. Colours may come and go but your corporate colours are likely to stay.
- Think of Block Colours
Too much colour can be distracting and goes against the overall goal of the uniform. For trousers, jackets, skirts and dresses, stick to block colours. More often than not, dark colours such as black, navy and charcoal are effective. These colours suit most body shapes and provide more flexibility with shirt designs and accessories.
- Determine Who Will Wear the Uniforms
Know from the outset who will wear the uniforms and what are their job roles. This way, you can choose clothing items and fabrics that will be comfortable, allowing them to do their job well. For example, are they desk bound all day, do they attend meeting after meeting? All these will help you identify the style. This is one of the reasonswhere trying to keep up with fashion trends can backfire, if you don’t address who is wearing the uniform.
- The Classic Corporate Shirt
A good quality collared shirt for men and women as part of your uniform will do you well. Tailored shirts have been around for decades. They will never go out of fashion, there is flexibility in design and colour and always look professional.
- Stay abreastof Your HR and Marketing Objectives
What is the uniform designed to achieve, from a HR perspective ? And from a marketing and branding perspective, be clear on your brand position and the function of the uniform. Once you have thesenailed down, you will be in a stronger position to create the right uniform for your team.
- Don’t Assume that Men and Women Have to Wear the Same Uniform
Women and men wear garments specifically designed based on their gender. They may be in the same colours or complementing colours but ideally their clothing pieces are chosen based on what’s appropriate. Keep your mind open and always go back to your core brand positioning to ensure your uniform is on point.
We at Everytees understand that each and every client and brand has their own unique identity and uniform challenges which must be addressed. We are experienced and knowledgeable to help you find a solution to all of your uniform needs.
Do contact us by giving us a call or dropping a message. We will surely work together to create that corporate uniform that will boost your company’s image and credibility.
