Fabric and Uniforms

Finding the right fabric is one of the most important factors when it comes to designing and creating the perfect uniform. Too many of us know the torment of an uncomfortable, hot and itchy fabric (not to mention when you have to spend the whole day working in it!)

That is why at Dresscode, we only offer fabrics with very specific qualities and always of a high standard.

 There are a few things to consider when looking at work wear fabric:

1. Stretch: we always try to offer fabric with some stretch, especially when it comes to skirts and trousers. Staff, no matter how active or inactive their role is, need to move around and feel comfortable, so a fabric that can move along with you in vital. In jackets, stretch is always welcomed too, although if opting for a natural fiber such as wool, there will be some stretch along the weft of the fabric naturally.
2. Synthetic: A common misunderstanding when it comes to fabric is that all synthetic material (polyester, viscose, elastane etc) are bad. However, as technology has improved, so has the quality of man made fabrics. These days, they have the potential to provide the best of both worlds a) good quality fabric b) all the added bonuses of extra durable, easy wash care, non-iron etc. As with any thing you need to know what to look for as there is a lot of bad synthetic fibres out there but with our team of experts, Dresscode will make it easy for you.
3. Care instructions: No matter how beautiful or how special a fabric is, when it comes to uniforms it has to be practical to maintain. Loose weaves and delicate fibres should be avoided, as these can pull and rip easily- not to mention they are a nightmare to wash. When we can, we always search for fabrics that can be machine washed at 30degrees, and then we let our clients decide whether they would like to dry clean or not.
4. Ethically sourced: At Dresscode, we take ethical values very seriously. This is why we will only source fabrics from reputable mills, mainly around the UK and Europe. This is not to say that the far east doesn’t produce good quality fabric, but as a British brand we will always lean towards fabric mills where we know the working conditions are fair and that the quality is of a high standard.
5. Stock availability: It is important to us that we know that we can go back to a mill and re order the exact same fabric in 6months time, 1 year, 5 years even! This cannot always be 100% guaranteed, but we do all we can to minimise the risk. To do this, we always ask about stock availability and chances of it being re- stocked. This way our clients can continue with their favourite uniform collection without risking the fabric changing on their next order.