The blue-collar workforce has traditionally been male-dominated, but that demographic is changing rapidly. Women will play an increasingly important role in blue-collar industries. The number of women working in transportation, material moving, and warehouses jumped by forty-three percent between 2000 and 2018, with 23 percent more women working construction jobs over the same time period.
Demands on the labor market partially account for these changes: with the majority of the nation’s truckers approaching retirement, for instance, companies are discovering they can’t fill positions with men alone. And it’s not like women can’t do blue-collar jobs as well as men--a fact they prove every day.
Increasing numbers of women in blue-collar jobs present some problems when outfitting your workforce. Blue-collar workplace clothing manufacturers tend to focus more on men’s garments than women’s. This can lead to difficulty in creating a consistent work uniform for employees, and make it challenging to find blue-collar safety clothing and equipment designed with women in mind.
Unisex Uniform Solutions
Outfitting women in blue-collar jobs in clothing designed for men rarely looks good: instead, you’ll have an employee wearing clothes that are too restrictive in some areas and too loose in others. At best, she’ll feel uncomfortable. At worst, ill-fitting clothes can snag on materials and equipment, creating safety hazards.
Unisex clothing is popular choices for retail work uniforms, and likely to become more of an option for blue-collar jobs as the percentage of female employees increases. Here’s some possible unisex clothing that could be incorporated into your work uniforms:
- The Edwards Garment Apron Vest is perfect for hardware and warehouse settings.
- For employees who work in cold conditions such as refrigerated warehouses, the unisex Thermal Bonded Sherpa Sweatshirt by Charles River provides a warm fleece lining, sherpa-lining hood, and pouch-like pockets.
- For warmer temperatures, the Performance Poly Tee is a smart, breathable addition to your unisex work wardrobe and provides moisture wicking properties.
Unisex blue-collar safety clothing is also available, especially hi-vis clothing for use in warehouses, along roadsides, and in construction areas. Examples include:
Complimentary Uniforms
If unisex clothing isn't an option for your workforce, but you still want a consistent look for your uniform, choose a brand of clothing known for its distinctive look. Carhartt, with its trademark rich browns, is an excellent example and often combines blue collar safety features with everyday use. Examples of Carhartt work clothes for women in blue-collar jobs include:
Coveralls for Women in Blue-Collar Jobs
Finding work-quality coveralls for women in blue-collar jobs can be difficult. Coverall manufacturers generally assume most of their customer base is male, so choices for female employees are often limited. Here are three overall models designed for women:
If you need help choosing blue-collar safety clothes and uniforms design with women in mind, give Triple Crown Products a call. We’ll be glad to help you add women’s clothing to your blue-collar uniforms.