WILMINGTON, Mass., March 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's
competitive business environment, 'You are what you
wear."
In the minds of consumers, employees outfitted in work clothing
that's mismatched, dirty, disheveled, or just poorly made, can call
into question the quality of products or services they provide.
By the same token, workers who dress in clean, attractive
uniforms can have the opposite effect: customers will attribute
positive impressions to the company itself, and that help the
bottom line.
Studies have shown that the quality of work clothing can also
have an effect on its wearers and their productivity. It's what
researchers at Northwestern University
refer to as "enclothed cognition."
In an interview with ABC News, Adam
Galinsky, a professor of management at Northwestern who authored the "enclothed cognition"
study says wearers have a tendency to "take on the (quality)
characteristics of (their) clothes." Translated simply, that means
if you dress in quality workwear, you'll perform your work in a
quality manner.
So how can you tell if work apparel is actually made well? "The
devil is in the details," says Adam
Soreff, Director of Marketing for UniFirst Corporation
(www.unifirst.com), a leading manufacturer and supplier of work
uniforms and related services such as laundering, maintenance,
mending, and program management of employee apparel programs for
businesses throughout the U.S. and Canada. He continued, "You should read and
compare fabric labels, and examine work clothing closely to assess
overall quality."
Here are 10 tips for identifying quality uniforms and work
apparel:
1. Look for fabrics made from "ring spun" fibers.
Such fibers help make work apparel more durable, softer, and
lighter to wear. Ring spun fibers also allow work clothing to
retain its shape so wearers don't appear disheveled but, instead,
project a continuous professional image.
2. Take a close look at the stitching. The tighter
the stitching pattern or the number stitches per inch (SPI), is a
good indicator of quality. For a quick test: grab the fabric at the
seams with both hands and gently pull. The threads should hold
securely.
3. Look for two-piece construction on shirt collars.
Known as a "banded collar," this extra construction method adds
rigidity to collars, creating a more professional appearance. When
do you want one-piece construction? Think pajamas.
4. Check for triangular sewn tacks on pocket
corners. Such tacks strengthen the stress points where pockets
most often tear.
5. Test for sewn-in collar stays. These are almost
always made of thin plastic pieces that are inserted into the tips
of collars during the manufacturing process to help them retain
shape and prevent curling. Lift a collar to reveal the underside
and feel for the stay. Is there a nice tight pocket formed from
stitching to keep it in place at the pointed collar tip? For
work shirts, collar stays should be stitched down to the bottom ply
of the collar to prevent shifting or fall out.
6. Examine shirt cuffs for lining. Flip the shirt cuff
inside out: Is it two-ply? If so, the fabric has been folded in
half and stitched together to form the outside and the lining of a
quality cuff. This adds strength and a nice heft to the sleeves to
help keep them comfortably in place.
7. Examine pants pockets for topstitching.
Topstitches are sewn parallel to a seam or along a hem to
help fabric facings stay in place and provide a crisply styled edge
to pant pocket openings.
8. Look for wider belt loops and back pockets. Narrow
pocket openings, especially, can be annoying while performing
certain work tasks. And larger work belts will have less room to
move with you, causing discomfort, and will eventually rip narrower
loops.
9. Check Pant legs for ample bottom hems. Fold the bottom
of the pant leg over and take a peek. How much fabric is doubled
over and sewn there? A larger hem adds weight so pant legs drape
better, and helps form a nicely defined hem crease.
10. Inspect fasteners. Whether buttons, snaps,
Velcro®, or zippers, ensure that all fasteners on shirts and pants
are sewn on securely. Button holes in well-made garments are often
bound with thread for added durability; zippers should move freely
up and down without hesitation.
Wearing uniforms and work apparel that meet these 10 criteria
will help make more positive impressions with customers. Of course
even a quality garment won't portray the right image if it's dirty,
wrinkled, or in need of mending. And that's why managed uniform
programs that include services like pick-up and delivery,
laundering, pressing, mending, and automatic replacements are
popular with companies that wish their employees to be "dressed for
success."
About UniFirst
UniFirst (NYSE: UNF), a North American leader in the supply and
servicing of uniforms, workwear, and protective clothing, outfits
more than 1.5 million workers each business day. The company's most
popular brands include UniWeave®, SofTwill®, UniWear®, and Armorex
FR®. UniFirst also offers Facility Service programs including floor
mats, mops, and restroom products. For more information, contact
UniFirst at 800-455-7654 or visit www.unifirst.com.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140319/NE86353
SOURCE UniFirst