In an ever-changing world of fashion, one would think that the role of clothes related to the workplace would fade in importance, and yet the opposite is true. Sure, the lines between formal and casual may have blurred a bit over the years, but uniforms still retain their significance when it comes to professionalism.
Dressing up for work shows you mean business and expresses your respect for the work ethic as well as the company and the industry in general that you’re a part of. Moreover, it’s a marker of credibility for the clients and can be the tool you need to move upward on the professional ladder.
Lastly, apparel can be used as a means to showcase your personality, and don’t forget, looking put-together is the solution for a boost in confidence. Simply put, there’s nothing outdated about uniforms. However, there’s one area that’s had an essential upgrade, and that’s shopping for work clothes online as a result of the digital transformation the world’s had in recent times.
Why Buy Clothes for Work Online?
According to a YouGov survey this year comparing online and offline shopping, the majority of Australians still prefer to buy their clothes in-store. Going through the actual shop aisles as opposed to the digital ones has its own set of advantages, given the chance to touch the fabrics and check for the size or even try on some pieces.
But there’s more to visiting virtual retailers than meets the eye, and if you’re up for some convincing, the following aspects shed some light on the matter:
The Unbeatable Convenience
As of late, time has become one of the luxuries we can’t take lightly. E-commerce has allowed better time management as it reduces the unnecessary stress that’s bound to come from visiting one physical store after another, especially if you’re more particular about the style or fabric, or yours isn’t among the standard sizes.
Searching through the specialised work clothes online retailers offer means having the chance to navigate through an extensive array of options with a few clicks on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, which isn’t exactly possible or doable when you’re personally in the shops. Some companies go to great lengths to ensure you get a smooth and hassle-free shopping experience, so they neatly categorise their items not only in terms of tops and bottoms but professions too.
So, when in doubt, simply click on a specific profession category, and you can browse or buy the complete look. In addition to the abundance of apparel choices, you can just as easily find pieces that come at super convenient prices thanks to limited offers and special discounts that you can’t get when shopping at brick-and-mortar stores.
One great example is getting bulk discounts for orders of wholesale uniforms for the whole team. This is true regardless of the profession you’re buying for or the size of the business, as some retailers take this kind of loyalty seriously and reward you by saving you money as well. So, choosing to buy online can be both time- and cost-effective!
The Exclusivity of Apparel
This hands-on approach also means you can easily come across special products and designer items or premium fabrics that go through rigorous testing (think exclusive high-performance, breathable, comfortable fabric) that you wouldn’t otherwise think of or stumble upon. Besides the wider range of variety and unique options, exclusivity could also mean you get the chance to personalise the uniforms according to your preference.
Whether this is in the form of embroidery, print, or accessory, it’s all up to you, the staff, and the company dress codes in general. So, the staff could wear something that’s both stylish and comfortable – the perfect combination a successful business relies on!
The Control Over Research
Sometimes, you have a much different idea of what it is you envision as a uniform for your workplace, or you’re all out of ideas to begin with. Having the flexibility to browse through the vast array of work wear online virtual wardrobes the retailers consist of allows you to make a more informed decision of what it is that’s actually suitable.
This control over the research means you’re able to check each of the aspects of the shopping in detail. From doing research on specific brands, their products, prices, and reviews to comparing clothing pieces, styles, fabrics, designs, and colours, you can take care of anything and everything that gets you to a more detailed decision. All this without the pressure of dealing with decision-making in the middle of crowds, or wasting time trying to get to and from shops battling all the traffic and possible bad weather.
What Should Be Considered When Buying Work Clothes?
As you already have an idea of the various ways shopping for online work wear can benefit you, there are some heads-ups you need to be aware of so you can make the most of the experience and get the result you’re after with minimal to no stress or headache. The following steps can be of help:
Do Internal Research
Knowing what you can expect to find at the specialised retailers is nice and all, but it’s incomplete unless you back it up with prior internal company research. Focus on the business goals, the acceptable dress code in the company, and the preferred designs, fabrics, and styles, to be able to better streamline the shopping process.
And, of course, don’t forget to ask around for each of the employees’ opinions and what their likes and dislikes are to see if everybody could get on the same page. This would come in handy later on with the customisation of the uniforms and how each of the employees could add their own personality to the looks through accessories.
Check the Measurements
Whether buying individually or doing bulk shopping for work uniforms for whole teams, it’s important to know the sizing and measurements beforehand to be certain you’ll get the adequate clothes online stores offer. Not every retailer is going to have the same sizing, so be sure to check theirs, and if they have just the standard options, see if they fit with the measurements on the bust, waist, hips, and inseam of each of the employees. If available, try virtual try-on tools, and if not, there’s probably a sizing guide you can consult on the store’s website.
Be Clear on the Budget
Nowadays, most of us are no strangers to impulse purchases, but things get slightly more complex when it comes to shopping for clothes for work for the whole team. That’s why it’s advisable to set up a realistic budget before taking care of the shopping, so you get a financial boundary that would assist you with making wiser and more conscious purchases.