The Rise of Women in Blue Collar Industries: How to Outfit Your New Workforce

The trades are changing, and you can see it on every job site across America. Over the past few years, more women have been stepping into hard hats and steel-toed boots, taking on skilled roles in construction, logistics, energy, and manufacturing.

At Triple Crown Products, we’ve watched this shift up close. For over 40 years, we’ve been outfitting crews across every industry. And now, that includes a growing lineup of women’s workwear built for comfort, protection, and performance on the job.

In this post, we’ll look at what’s driving the rise of women in the trades, and how to make sure your team’s gear fits every worker and every role.

The Growth of Women in Blue-Collar Roles

Across the U.S., more women are picking up the tools, driving the trucks, and taking the lead in jobs once dominated by men.

Three big factors are fueling the rise:

• Skilled-labor gaps: With many veteran tradespeople aging out, companies are recruiting more broadly than ever.
•  Training access: Trade schools and apprenticeship programs now actively recruit women through scholarships and outreach.
•  Better pay and opportunity: Blue-collar jobs increasingly offer strong wages, benefits, and advancement, making them a real career path, not just a job.

Where Women Are Making an Impact

• Construction: Over the past decade, the number of women in the construction industry has increased by 45%, according to the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).
•  Manufacturing: According to Women in Manufacturing, women comprise approximately 30% of the U.S. manufacturing workforce.
•  Logistics, warehousing, transportation: Newer data from YCharts show women represent approximately 24.9% of the transportation and warehousing workforce in recent years.
•  Energy and utilities: Women make up roughly 27 % of the U.S. energy workforce, according to recent data from the Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability.

Ongoing Barriers

While progress is steady, challenges remain. Many women still struggle to find properly fitting PPE, flame-resistant gear, or work uniforms built for their body type. Too often, “unisex” still means “men’s fit.” 

And even as hiring expands, representation in the field and leadership roles continues to lag behind. For example, while 11.2% percent of the construction workforce is women, only about 4% hold on-the-field construction and maintenance jobs, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

Why Inclusive Workwear Matters

When the job’s tough, the gear should make it easier, not harder. Here are some of the reasons why.

Comfort, Safety, and Confidence at Work

For years, women in the workforce had to make do with gear designed for men. That could mean rolling up their sleeves, pinning cuffs, or dealing with coveralls that never fit right. It’s annoying, but it’s also unsafe. For instance, baggy shirts can get caught in tools or moving parts, and uniforms that are too tight make it harder to bend, climb, or move fast when it counts.

When your workwear fits the way it should, everything just works better. You move more easily, stay focused, and feel like part of the crew. That comfort and confidence show up in the work: fewer mistakes, fewer injuries, and a team that takes pride in how they look and what they do.

Regardless of gender, every crew member deserves gear that actually does its job.

Legal and Safety Standards

Workwear and PPE must also meet federal safety standards for every employee. Agencies like OSHA and ANSI/ISEA emphasize the importance of properly fitted protective clothing, especially for hi-vis clothing and flame-resistant (FR) gear.

FR workwear, in particular, must meet strict NFPA 70E and 2112 standards while maintaining proper fit. Loose FR shirts or jackets can trap heat and make burns worse, while gear that’s too tight can hold you back and fail when it counts. The right fit is what keeps you safe when things heat up.

The bottom line is that getting the fit right keeps crews safe and keeps companies out of trouble.

Best Workwear for Women in Blue-Collar Jobs

More women are joining the trades every year, and they need gear that can keep up. Luckily, there’s more to choose from than ever before. Companies can now put together work uniforms for mixed-gender teams that actually fit right, hold up on the job, and keep everyone looking like part of the same crew.

Unisex Essentials for Mixed Teams

Some items work well across genders while maintaining a consistent team appearance:

•  Performance Poly Tees: Moisture-wicking shirts that provide comfort and breathability for all team members
•  Sherpa-lined hoodies: Warm layering pieces that offer inclusive workwear sizing
•  Unisex hi-vis vests: ANSI/ISEA-compliant safety gear that accommodates various body types

These core pieces can be easily branded with your logo to maintain a professional look across all departments.

Women’s Workwear That Performs

Leading brands now offer tailored options designed specifically for women’s bodies without compromising durability or safety standards:

•  Ariat Women’s FR Air Crew T-Shirt: NFPA 70E compliant with a closer fit that doesn’t restrict movement
•  Bulwark Women’s Work Pant CAT 2: Combines a comfortable, feminine fit with flame-resistant protection
•  Berne Apparel Women’s Softstone Duck Insulated Bib Overall: Provides warmth and protection designed for women’s proportions

These specialized options address common fit issues while maintaining the same performance standards as traditional workwear.

Layering and Seasonal Adaptation

The weather doesn’t stop the work, so your gear shouldn’t either. A good uniform setup needs to handle the heat, the cold, and everything in between.

•  Cold weather: Start with thermal base layers that lock in warmth and pull sweat off your skin. Throw on insulated hoodies or jackets that let you move without feeling bulky.
•  Hot weather: Go for lightweight, breathable shirts and hi-vis vests that keep you cool and visible when the sun’s beating down.

Stick with approved uniform pieces so everyone stays safe, comfortable, and looking like part of the same crew year-round.

How to Build a Consistent, Inclusive Uniform Program

Outfitting a mixed-gender workforce doesn’t have to mean sacrificing consistency. The most successful uniform programs blend function, fit, and brand identity, so every team member feels confident and looks like part of the same crew.

Here’s how to make that happen.

1. Define a Core Brand Palette

Pick your main colors, logo spots, and embroidery style, and keep it the same across the board. Whether your team is in the field, the warehouse, or the front office, a consistent look helps your crew stand out and your brand stay recognizable.

2. Mix and Match Smart

Use unisex pieces for accessories and outerwear while incorporating women-specific fits for core garments, like pants and shirts.

3. Partner with Experienced Suppliers

Work with a trusted outfitter, like Triple Crown Products, that carries full-size ranges and custom options from reputable brands. It saves time, cuts down on reorders, and keeps everyone fitted right the first time.

4. Add Your Mark

Finish the look with custom embroidery logos that stay sharp through hard wear. Add names or departments if you want that extra touch of pride and accountability on the job.

Tip: Always order sample sizes for fit testing before a full rollout, especially for PPE or FR gear. It’s the easiest way to confirm compliance, comfort, and durability before placing a bulk order.

The Business Case for Inclusive Workwear

Inclusive workwear can be good for business. When your people look sharp, feel safe, and wear gear that fits, it shows up in their work and your bottom line. Here’s why:

Keep Good Workers Longer

When employees feel valued, they stick around. Giving women gear that’s built for them shows you care about your team and the job they do. Crews that feel respected take more pride in their uniforms, take better care of their gear, and take fewer shortcuts. That’s how you keep experience on the job instead of watching it walk out the door.

Look Professional, Build Trust

When customers or clients see a team that looks put together and ready to work, it builds confidence in your brand. Outfitting women with gear that fits and functions right sends a clear message: your company takes safety and professionalism seriously.

Save Time and Money

Keeping everyone on the same page (e.g., men’s, women’s, and unisex gear) makes ordering and reordering simple. No mix-ups, no mismatched colors, no wasted inventory. And when people get uniforms that fit right from day one, you’re not wasting money replacing torn sleeves or ill-fitting gear.

Key Takeaways

•  More women are joining the trades and taking on the same tough jobs as the guys.
•  Gear that doesn’t fit right is uncomfortable and unsafe.
• Choose women-specific or well-designed unisex uniforms that meet all industry safety standards
• Keep your crew looking sharp with consistent colors, logos, and styles across the board.
• Triple Crown Products has your back with customizable gear that fits every role, every size, and every season.

Outfit Every Worker for the Job with Triple Crown

As more women step into skilled roles, employers have an opportunity (and responsibility) to create inclusive, professional environments where every employee feels equipped to succeed.

At Triple Crown Products, we help companies do exactly that. We offer a wide array of women’s apparel, including women’s high-visibility clothing, women’s coveralls, and FR workwear built to handle the toughest jobs.

Need help outfitting a diverse workforce? Contact a Triple Crown Products specialist today to design consistent, professional uniforms for every member of your team, from women’s flame-resistant clothing to unisex essentials customized with your company logo.