This document summarizes different types of corporate clothing: uniforms, workwear, careerwear, corporate casualwear, protectivewear, and uniforms. For each category, it provides an example use case and considerations for design, functionality, branding, and sourcing. It also outlines the typical approach to each category for different distribution channels like contracts, garment rental, mail order, tender, and wholesale. The overall document provides a guide to properly selecting and designing various corporate clothing options.

2. 1. GARMENT CATEGORIES
2. CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION
3. WORKWEAR
4. CAREERWEAR
5. CORPORATE CASUALWEAR
6. PROTECTIVEWEAR
7. UNIFORMS
8. CONTACT US
CONTENTS

3. • Workwear
• Careerwear
• Corporate Casualwear
• Protectivewear
GARMENT CATEGORIES
Not all garments in the corporate
wear industry are recognised as
uniforms.
Uniforms actually make up one of
five types of corporatewear.
The others include:

4. Distribution Channel Definition
Contracts Suppliers directly negotiate and compete for a contract.
Garment Rental The supplier charges on a weekly basis for use and cleaning services.
Mail Order A direct response to a catalogue offer – usually provides ex stock.
Tender Suppliers respond to invitations for a quote.
Wholesale Provides ex-stock to smaller companies.
There is no one size fits all distribution channel.
All of the channels differ in their sourcing methods, design focus, method of production and
price level for each type of corporate clothing, which is why understanding how each channel
operates is key.
CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION

5. WORKWEAR
What is Workwear?
Simply put, workwear is clothing that is required to perform a
specific role (e.g. overalls and aprons), but whilst functionality and
durability are the primary focus, there are many ways to make
workwear stylish and on-brand.
Catering Staff Workwear
Employees in the catering industry require workwear as specific
clothing helps them to do their job to the best standards.
• An apron provides staff with deep pockets and protects
clothing.
• A branded shirt or apron, that uses brand colours or logos
makes staff easily identifiable to customers.
• Flame retardant or heat proof materials give peace of mind to
staff working in the kitchen.

6. Functionality
It helps to analyse the needs of the staff uniforms and
gather opinions from staff in the form of surveys and
focus groups throughout the design process to ensure
workwear is fit for purpose.
High-Tech Fabrics
High-tech fabrics are becoming increasingly popular as
they provide innovative solutions to common issues
with workwear. Some of the most sought after fabrics
are stretch, anti-microbial and anti allergy.
Influences Contracts Garment
Rental
Mail Order Tender Wholesale
Design Image
Driven
Utilitarian Utilitarian Image
Driven
Utilitarian
Method of
Production
Specific
Designs
Standard
Manner
Standard
Manner
Specific
Designs
Standard
Manner
Price Level Average
Prices
Average
Prices
Average
Prices
Lower
Prices
Lower
Prices
Sourced Low Cost
Countries
Low Cost
Countries
Regionally/
Low Cost
Countries
Regionally Low Cost
Countries
The chart below is a guide to how each distribution
channel generally operates specifically for workwear.
THINGS TO CONSIDER: WORKWEAR

7. What is Careerwear?
Careerwear usually takes the form of classic business attire with
brand focused colours and logos incorporated in the design. This
allows staff to appear professional whilst subtly representing the
brand.
Travel Staff Careerwear
Travel brands are well known for iconic careerwear as the nature
of the industry requires a professional look.
• Smart accessories such as neckerchiefs and hats are used to
make staff identifiable by customers.
• Careerwear is used rather than corporate casualwear to
emulate the level of service the brands offer.
CAREERWEAR

8. Branding
Ensuring that a strong brand image is achieved can be a
challenge with careerwear. Modern styles steer clear of bright,
brand colour suit jackets and instead opt or more subtle details
such as neckerchiefs or ties that match with the brand colour
scheme.
The Work Environment
If the work environment can not be controlled businesses may
need to consider a separate summer and winter line of
corporatewear - adaptable careerwear keeps staff comfortable
and looking great.
The chart below is a guide to how each distribution
channel generally operates specifically for careerwear.
Influences Contracts Garment
Rental
Mail Order Tender Wholesale
Design Image
Driven
N/A Utilitarian/
image
driven
N/A Utilitarian
Method of
Production
Specific
Designs
N/A Standard
Manner
N/A Specific
Designs
Price Level Average
Prices
N/A Higher
Prices
N/A Average
Prices
Sourced Regionally N/A Low Cost
Countries
N/A Regionally
THINGS TO CONSIDER: CAREERWEAR

9. What is Corporate Casualwear?
Corporate casualwear is a modern alternative to workwear and
careerwear, and often features branded clothing that is more relaxed
than careerwear, such as polo shirts and knitwear.
Museum Staff Uniforms
Museums have an educational focus and therefore require smart yet
friendly corporatewear.
• Jumpers and shirts without suit jackets achieve the desired casual
look. These garments often incorporate the brand colours or
embossed logos to keep staff easily identifiable.
• Museums are usually grand buildings that have many people
coming and going so this type of corporatewear allows for the
differing temperatures with the option to wear layers i.e. body
warmers and jumpers.
CORPORATE CASUALWEAR

10. Formality
Corporate casualwear covers all levels of formality below
business attire. When deciding on how formal to go,
evaluating what customers will be wearing, the
environment of the workplace along with the purpose
and values of the business is a good place to start.
Brand Image
How easily identifiable do staff need to be in the
workplace? Brand colours with small logos create a more
subtle look, whilst larger logos or accessories (e.g. caps)
can be used for businesses that need instantly
recognisable staff who can be spotted in a crowd.
Influences Contracts Garment
Rental
Mail Order Tender Wholesale
Design Image
Driven
Utilitarian Utilitarian Image
Driven
Utilitarian
Method of
Production
Specific
Designs
Standard
Manner
Standard
Manner
Standard
Manner
Standard
Manner
Price Level Average
Prices
Average
Prices
Average
Prices
Lower
Prices
Lower
Prices
Sourced Domestically Low Cost
Countries
Low Cost
Countries
Domestically Low Cost
Countries
The chart below is a guide to how each distribution channel
generally operates specifically for corporate casualwear.
THINGS TO CONSIDER: CORPORATE CASUALWEAR

11. What is Protectivewear?
As its name suggests, protectivewear safeguards staff from
potential damage or injury. Anything that is worn as a safety
precaution is deemed protectivewear.
Construction Staff Protectivewear
Safety is the most important element to construction staff
protectivewear, due to their unpredictable and hazardous work
environment.
• Gloves provide extra grip and protect hands
• Hi-Vis material is required for visibility.
• Steel capped shoes are needed in case of falling debris.
PROTECTIVEWEAR

12. Fashion
Protectivewear needn’t be unattractive. Modern
suppliers of protectivewear are becoming increasingly
conscious of the fashion aspect of the clothing they
produce, if the protectivewear looks good staff may be
more inclined to wear it.
Functionality
It is essential that each piece of protectivewear works
in unison with the others and workwear should be
adapted to allow for this.
Legislation
Protectivewear is also known as Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) and businesses are required to ensure
that any PPE used by staff is in keeping with the
Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002.
Influences Contracts Garment
Rental
Mail Order Tender Wholesale
Image
Driven
Utilitarian Utilitarian Image
Driven
Utilitarian
Method of
Production
Specific
Designs
Standard
Manner
Standard
Manner
Specific
Designs
Standard
Manner
Price Level Higher
Prices
Average
Prices
Higher
Prices
Average
Prices
Average
Prices
Sourced Regionally Regionally Regionally Regionally Low Cost
Countries
Design
The chart below is a guide to how each distribution channel
generally operates specifically for protectivewear.
THINGS TO CONSIDER: PROTECTIVEWEAR

13. What are Uniforms?
Uniforms are unique tailored outfits that majorly represent a
brand. Companies that are especially image focused usually
opt for uniforms, teamed with precise guidelines for how staff
should look.
Beauty Staff Uniforms
Image is everything in the beauty industry and staff require
unique clothing that strongly emulates the brand.
• Simple, tailored outfits that are usually all one colour are
used to make staff easily identifiable.
• High quality fabrics and rich colours are used to emulate
luxury.
• Many staff members will work with their hands for
demonstrations so a shorter sleeve length is often used for
functionality.
UNIFORMS

14. Industry
There are industries that are famous for their iconic
uniforms and these uniforms can contribute to the
customer experience. Some companies may opt to
follow suit and choose a uniform style that is already
embedded in our culture.
Fashion
Uniforms have a significant influence on where people
decide to work, so a stylish uniform is a great way to
attract new talent.
Influences Contracts Garment
Rental
Mail Order Tender Wholesale
Design Image
Driven
N/A Utilitarian Image
Driven
N/A
Method of
Production
Specific
Designs
N/A Standard
Manner
Specific
Designs
N/A
Price Level Higher
Prices
N/A Average
Prices
Average
Prices
N/A
Sourced Domestically N/A Low Cost
Countries
Domestically N/A
The chart below shows the drivers behind each distribution
channel specifically for uniforms.
THINGS TO CONSIDER: UNIFORMS

15. Contact Us
020 8563 5000
sales@jsd.co.uk
Jermyn Street Design
Clothes that work
34 Galena Road
Hammersmith
London
W6 0LT