A survey is being carried out to find out what people think of the uniform worn by North Wales Police officers. The new uniform was introduced by their former chief constable and features baseball hats worn with black polo shirts with embroidered logos and combat trousers.

What the survey aims to discover, is whether different uniform clothing makes officers appear professional and/or approachable. And people are not slow to come forward with their opinions. Conservative MP David Jones has already stated that he’s not in favour of baseball caps, ‘The traditional helmet or flat cap looks significantly more professional,’ he said, adding that, ‘It would be very helpful to the police in terms of generating respect from the public if they were to adopt a more traditional uniform.’

There seems to be an age split in the informal responses – younger people think the more casual uniform looks more ‘practical’ and ‘up to date’ while older people think the uniform should convey ‘respect’ and ‘authority’.

It’s a vital concern for business to understand how elements of workplace clothing are viewed by customers and the general public. If polo shirts look casual to most people, they may not be the best choice for a courier or security firm that wants to give the impression of professionalism and safety. On the other hand, if a work jacket gives the impression of being similar to a military or police uniform top, it can escalate levels of hostility if it’s being worn by nightclub door staff or those supervising crowds at public events.

Picking the right clothing to express the aims and ideals of your company can help people have confidence in your staff.

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Increasingly, jackets, fleeces and coats have become a standard part of the business uniform, and while in some industries they may have Health and Safety aspects to consider, in many businesses they are not constrained by such issues.

However, getting the choice of jacket right is important because not only does it keep your staff safe, warm and presentable, it is the final touch to a corporate wardrobe and may be the first and only impression that many people have of your staff, especially those who make deliveries or work in the field.

It’s also vital to match the choice of jacket to the work that your staff do – you may need more than one style of jacket to meet all their needs as their work will have different features. A driver climbing in and out of a van making deliveries has a completely different set of requirements to that of a forecourt salesman or a representative who meets and greets customers in a shop … and getting it right in terms of the washability of the jacket, its fit, the number and location of pockets and so on could be vital to ensuring they can do their jobs properly and effectively.

Sometimes high visibility is vital, but smartness may be more important if people aren’t in a situation where they need to be seen at a distance or identified easily.  Women may have different jacket needs to men, as their tailoring is completely different, and unisex jackets like blousons aren’t always suitable for all work situations.

Wearing the right jacket can make work easier for your staff and having your company logo and name on it makes establishing your brand easier for you.

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It’s time for many businesses, large and small, to start thinking about the cold months which can affect businesses, and staff, in a variety of ways. Just as schools have a back to school uniform designed to keep children warm in winter, cool in summer and safe and visible all year round, so workplaces need to ensure that their workwear that serves the same purpose.  Smart companies know that as well as ensuring their employees are safe and happy, they can get a publicity boost by using printed or embroidered clothing.

Bodywarmers and jackets are a good investment to keep your staff warm and comfortable – especially if they spend any time at all outdoors, like drivers and delivery people or salespeople who may be on forecourts or helping people carry purchases to cars.

High-visibility clothing means those who do work outdoors are safe. Depending on your choice of high-vis clothing, you can also ensure they are warm and waterproof into the bargain

Hats can be vital both to keep a workforce warm and to promote your business. Give them away to your customers too, as they will wear them outdoors all the time and provide publicity for your company.

Make sure your team are in agreement with your purchases, as there is nothing worse than buying clothing that your workforce hates, and talk to your clothing supplier to see whether there are cost effective ways of promoting your business better through promotional clothing.

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