Uniforms at Work: Why They’re More Important Than You Think

Look good & build your brand

What your employees wear says something about your business—and a recognizable uniform can say a lot. Choosing the right uniform means thinking about your image, your team members and your dress code policy. With a little creativity, you can boost your staff’s performance while helping them look great. Here’s how.

Why wear uniforms at work?

There are a few different benefits of work uniforms:

• Customer assistance: A memorable uniform helps customers recognize your employees right away. That means less time looking for help and more time getting exactly what they want.

• Dress code enforcement: Dress codes can be vague or confusing, especially if they use open-ended terms like “business casual” or “workplace appropriate.” With a uniform, your staff knows exactly what to wear, saving them time and frustration.

• Job requirements: A good uniform isn’t just a fashion statement. It’s also a tool. A well-designed uniform should help workers do their job better. 

• Staff teamwork: A uniform is a visual reminder to your staff that they’re all on the same team. Teamwork makes people feel motivated and energized. That means better performance, better morale and better customer service.

• Brand image: Whenever customers think about your business, they get a certain image in their heads. They might associate your brand with a particular color scheme, logo or sense of style. You can use these elements in your uniform to make that association even stronger.

Check out Workwear 101: Top 18 Industry Trends to outfit your staff with the latest styles in construction, healthcare and food service.

What to look for in a work uniform

There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all uniform—both literally and figuratively. Every business will need something a little different. That said, there are a handful of things that every work uniform needs:

Comfortable materials

Workers might be at their shifts for eight hours or more. They won’t be able to focus if their clothing is uncomfortable. Your best bet for comfortable uniforms is to research the materials best suited to your line of work. For example, cotton-polyester blends are common for restaurant uniforms because they soak up sweat and dry quickly. Outdoor jobs in cold environments rely more on wool, which keeps workers warm. Ask your staff for their input on this, since they’ll be the ones wearing the clothing.

Inclusive designs

Your workplace uniform should strike a balance between style and practicality that works for most cultures, personalities and body types. A simple button-down shirt and pair of long pants is a great starting point for a uniform. It suits virtually any kind of person or situation. From there, you can get more or less formal, depending on what your business does and what your employees feel comfortable with.

Functional features

Work uniforms aren’t just about looks. They should also help your staff do their jobs better. Extra pockets come in handy in almost every field, but there are other ways to make uniforms more functional. Shoes with no-slip soles make walking safer and dark colors cover up stains. Hats can protect workers from the elements and elastic waistbands make pants easier to take on and off. Think about what your workers need to do their jobs and whether there’s a way for the uniform to help. 

Make a smart uniform policy

While uniforms offer many benefits, they’re not necessary in every industry. Healthcare workers need uniforms for sanitation and construction workers need them for safety. Law enforcement officers wear uniforms so that civilians can identify them easily. Every uniform serves a different purpose.

Finding that purpose will help you create your own workplace uniform policy. Explain to your staff why they need uniforms and how these new outfits will make their jobs easier or safer. If you’re updating an existing policy, try to work in articles of clothing from your current uniform. This will make the transition smoother, not to mention less expensive.

Outfit your staff with Walmart Business

Finding the right uniform is an important step in growing your business, but it’s not the only one. You’ll also need to work on your budget, your marketing strategy and your day-to-day operations. That’s where the Walmart Business content hub can help. You can find tips, guides and general advice for growing businesses, complete with success stories from up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

When you’re ready to buy your uniforms, sign up for a free Walmart Business account. With it, you’ll be able to buy goods in bulk, receive automatic recurring deliveries and share your account with multiple users at your business. 

If you already have an account, upgrade to a Walmart Business+ Core membership. You’ll get free shipping from Business.Walmart.com¹ and free deliveries from nearby Walmart stores on orders of $35 or more.² In addition, you’ll earn 2% back in Walmart Business Rewards on orders of $250 or more.³ These benefits could save your business more than $500 per year overall.⁴

¹ Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

² Restrictions apply. 

³ Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply.

⁴ Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business Rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).