Work Uniforms

carolinespring

Hi all, hoping for some advice from all you good people. I own and run a chidcare service. The normal winter uniform is a tunic with the name of the service on it with black trousers. In summer we always went for a lighter weight tunic with white linen trousers. The same as you would see in a lot of childcare settings, beautians, doctors, nurses office etc.

I have to say we are all fed up and bored with it and over the last while have looked at ideas for a new one. Most of the companys who do uniforms here really only have the tunics, tracksuits or polo shirts. Not really what the girls want. Anyway I got samples from a site in the USA and the staff have fallen in love with one of the outfits, its navy 100% cotton jersey leggings, white long line t-shirt (with a tab and botton thing at the back that the shirt can be made more figure fitting) and a little breast pocket on the left side that the name of the service will go on. It comes with a denim overshirt again with the name of the service on the left hand breast pocket. Also comes with a scarf with blue, greens, pinks, creams in it. Not something that could be worn during the day but they could use it on the way to and from work and when popping out for lunch and really dose dress the outfit up. In fact the outfil is just the same as you see on so many people at the moment. Leggings, long top and denim shirt with a scarf, the only difference is the name of the service will be on the pockets.

Now I have to say it looks really good on the girls who tried it all and ALL the staff love it. What I am worried about is we have a mixed age staff from 20 to mid 50's. Is it going to be suitable for everyone? Is it to casual and what kind of image do you think it sends out? The tunics wash and wear for ages and again the black trouser washed and wore well (that awful stuff in them) In summer the linen trouser didnt cost a lot. I am wondering how well this new unifom idea will wash and wear, will it look faded and worn after a short time. What will the parents think of it. Every staff member will get 5 leggings, 5 t-shirts, 2 denim shirts and a scarf. If I do give in and go for this as a summer uniform what will I do for a winter one? Its is coming in at a really good price much less that what I normally spend. I do think it looks really good but is it suitable?

The people who supply this do a winter one which is a navy chino type trouser with a striped long sleeve top and a really cute cardi That comes in a navy or red with cream bows all over it again both with the name of the service on it.

Please let me know what you all think. I reallyneed fed back and decide what to do. If I say no what could I go with. Do anyone of you have funky but tasteful work wear.

OldGoat

No matter what you get as a uniform there will be someone that it dosen't suit. You won't be able to please everyone all the time. I say for the summer set at the bargain price Wait for a while before ordering the winter supply so that you can
a: check the quality & delivery and service of the new company and
b: avail of any 'existing' customer discounts.

chocgirl

Honestly I don't think that could possibly suit all members of staff unless they're all young and slim. I don't think many people could pull off looking professional in leggings.

Why don't you just pick a colour scheme and let the staff choose a top and bottoms of their own choice. Probably be cheaper as well.

carolinespring

I want all the staff wearing the same so the picking a colour is a good idea but I want everyone dressed the same.
The girls still want to go with the legging/shirt combo but I am staill unsure.
Any advice welcome

Ticktactoe

I dont know about this. Leggings are grand for the younger employees but do you see the more senior members liking or wanting to wear them.

It sounds as if you all have a good working relationship as not many bosses care what their employees think of the new uniform, once it looks ok and professional. Leggings tho...

Do you have a link to a pic of it? The idea i have in my head of the uniform doesn't seem to do anything for me.

carolinespring

No link as they sent us a booklet and and when I contacted them a sample. I really am not sure. Oddly all the ladies are on for it. Old and young. I myself as a size 18 don't think they would look good. But am told by the staff that it would suit us all!!! As a childcare setting we need to be something bright and fun. At present we have tunics in 5 bright colours and the girls can wear them in any order they like. The tunics really are fine but boring and not the most comfortable to wear.
Not going down the tracksuit or polo shirt line so all ideas welcome. Those of you who wear a uniform, what do you wear??

carolinespring

carolinespring wrote: »

Hi all, hoping for some advice from all you good people. I own and run a chidcare service. The normal winter uniform is a tunic with the name of the service on it with black trousers. In summer we always went for a lighter weight tunic with white linen trousers. The same as you would see in a lot of childcare settings, beautians, doctors, nurses office etc.

I have to say we are all fed up and bored with it and over the last while have looked at ideas for a new one. Most of the companys who do uniforms here really only have the tunics, tracksuits or polo shirts. Not really what the girls want. Anyway I got samples from a site in the USA and the staff have fallen in love with one of the outfits, its navy 100% cotton jersey leggings, white long line t-shirt (with a tab and botton thing at the back that the shirt can be made more figure fitting) and a little breast pocket on the left side that the name of the service will go on. It comes with a denim overshirt again with the name of the service on the left hand breast pocket. Also comes with a scarf with blue, greens, pinks, creams in it. Not something that could be worn during the day but they could use it on the way to and from work and when popping out for lunch and really dose dress the outfit up. In fact the outfil is just the same as you see on so many people at the moment. Leggings, long top and denim shirt with a scarf, the only difference is the name of the service will be on the pockets.

Now I have to say it looks really good on the girls who tried it all and ALL the staff love it. What I am worried about is we have a mixed age staff from 20 to mid 50's. Is it going to be suitable for everyone? Is it to casual and what kind of image do you think it sends out? The tunics wash and wear for ages and again the black trouser washed and wore well (that awful stuff in them) In summer the linen trouser didnt cost a lot. I am wondering how well this new unifom idea will wash and wear, will it look faded and worn after a short time. What will the parents think of it. Every staff member will get 5 leggings, 5 t-shirts, 2 denim shirts and a scarf. If I do give in and go for this as a summer uniform what will I do for a winter one? Its is coming in at a really good price much less that what I normally spend. I do think it looks really good but is it suitable?

The people who supply this do a winter one which is a navy chino type trouser with a striped long sleeve top and a really cute cardi That comes in a navy or red with cream bows all over it again both with the name of the service on it.

Please let me know what you all think. I reallyneed fed back and decide what to do. If I say no what could I go with. Do anyone of you have funky but tasteful work wear.

???

celsy

how can anyone wear white looking after children, must be a nightmare!

I dont think leggings is a bad idea but you have to be aware that maybe some people are saying it sounds like a good idea cos your their boss and they dont want to speak out.

It would be nice to incorporate something thats not just more comfortable but professional too. As long as it looks neat and tidy and not messy, if its just for the summer months it sounds like a good idea,though the denim top? I dont get or scarf, a cardigan would go nice.

Also what about in the evenings when everyone is going home,its gets a lot chillier meaning everyone might bring in other bottoms to change into before they head home.

Pandoras Twist

I wouldnt think leggings would be a great idea if youre running around and bending down picking up kids. Just dont think it would send the right message to the parents if you bend down to pick up their two year old and the top rides up

Madame Razz

Why don't you have an anonymous vote on it and see what the staff really think?

Or could you have a trial run where everybody for one day only wears say black leggings with a white top and white shirt and see how they get on for the day with the kids?

Perhaps you could have the trial run and then have the secret vote??

It does sound like a nice idea as a summer uniform that said; best of luck with it:)

celsy

Yeh its not like tropical weather over here, maybe just change colour of linen trousers to a darker one as white is always see through and then have a plain t-shirt, ok its a bit boring but its just for a couple of months.

taram

Any place I've worked we've all had matching shirts and then had to wear similar pants: in most cases a plain black bootleg work trousers, the kind dunnes and pennys sell. That way you can get one that fits well, rather than a one type for all which is fine for a tshirt, but uncomfy for a waistband or how it fits your bum if you're moving around all day!

Fallini

I would love to know how you got on with these uniforms and what company you got the brochure from, we are in a very similar situation at the moment and want something different.

Miaireland

I am not sure whether leggings would look really professional tbh. I would go probably go for the black bootleg pants and maybe navy linen trousers with a tunic for the summer. At the end of the day it is a work uniform, it should be about function not fashion.

Leggings don't suit every shape and can look plain awful on some people. I would also question whether they would stand up to amount of washing that would be needed when they are part of a uniform.