Are you supplying your hospitality team with uniforms in 2020 or planning a uniform refresh sometime soon? There are a few trends you need to be on top of to stay ahead of the competition. We've explored 7 of the hottest trends businesses in the service industry that venue managers need to know...
1. Approachable & Relatable
First impressions matter and staff uniforms set the tone for your customer service expectations. Embrace cool, effortless and approachable, but make sure it's still functional and distinguishes your staff from your patrons. Your food and beverage crew should feel comfortable, and physically able to do their job. Think about the types of activities that your staff need to perform. For example, are they bending down or reaching up a lot? This often requires longer length shirts to maintain modesty and professionalism. Do they need to carry items like notepads, pens or bottle openers? How does your uniform accommodate these? You also need to understand your customers and culture and ensure it communicates the desired brand voice.
If you are just getting started planning your hospitality uniforms, catering uniforms, bar uniforms or restaurant uniforms check out our latest post designed to help venue managers plan their new uniform.
2. Fashion Forward Updates
Who said uniforms can’t be fashionable? In a fast-paced market, companies can no longer expect their uniform style to be relevant for 5+ years. Leaders in the hospitality industry are all about implementing stylish and fashion-forward workwear and reviewing them regularly. We recommend you plan to refresh your uniform every 2-3 years to ensure your team and brand stays relevant in your market. This can be done incrementally, subtly and inexpensively. Updating smaller items like aprons, or adding a custom scarf or bandana can be a powerful way to change a uniform look without draining the budget. Seasonal items can be a fun way to keep your staff comfortable but add some branding flair. Updating your uniform also keeps your employees interested in what they’re wearing. Block colour and pattern mash-ups continue to inspire hospitality uniforms through 2020. Checks and chinos, and denim-on-denim are mainstay trend-setters. Checks are also great for hiding those tough hospitality stains!
3. Statement Pieces
Don’t be afraid to make a statement when shouting to the world who your company is and what you stand for. The best results come when you use a statement garment or accessory in a fun and flamboyant way. If you are rebranding or launching a new fit-out, a statement piece is often used for the launch month. Often these statement pieces become a staple in your uniform program. It sends a message to the market and your team about the changes you have made and sets the tone around brand expectations. Accessories such as belts, that tie into your colour palette, are a nice finishing touch to your uniform and cool enough for staff to wear when off-duty.
4. Customisation
Uniform customisation is becoming increasingly popular. There are now so many affordable ways to customise a uniform so your brand stands out from competitors. Customising aspects of your uniform is a great way to bring uniqueness and a design edge to your brand. Customisation ideas include custom leather apron straps, contrast stitching in your brand colours, feature buttons, silicone badging, modesty buttons or custom zip pulls. We can even do fully sublimated aprons, polo shirts and button-up shirts for a look that is truly your own. Stuck for ideas? Check out how we can customise your look here.
5. Tailored chic
While most hospitality uniforms are still casual and relaxed, we'll be seeing a lot of styles that have a more structured and "grown-up" look. The utilitarian look can be sophisticated too. With features such as patch pockets, oversized poppers and eyelets – utility shirts add drama to hospitality uniforms. Light, soft, and stylish chambray is even more flexible than denim and a great choice when extra mobility is required. If you want a more tailored casual look – chinos, tee and a blazer give an instant update to your look and are available in a plethora of colour options.
6. Sustainability
Sustainability is not a trend – it here to stay, and it's a hot topic in many industries (and rightly so!). When curating a uniform program with sustainability in mind, opt for fabrics that are more sustainable, such as organic cotton, bamboo, or hemp to reduce your carbon footprint. Choose high-quality garments that will wash and wear well, which means a decrease in uniform replacements, and less impact on the environment through a reduction in ‘throw-away’ garments. Sustainability might also be a part of your brand story, and an opportunity to communicate this to your patrons, particularly those who share the same values.
7. Uniform Program Management Technology
Hospitality managers, restaurant and hotel owners in the travel and tourism industry are increasingly seeking out technology to help them solve complex operational challenges.
Benefits of technology and automation include:
- streamline the online ordering process
- reduce complexity
- save time
- reduce risk
- resolve staff sizing issues.
It's important to remember that staff uniforms are an integral part of sending a targeted brand message to your customers. Take advantage of this opportunity to create a more complete customer experience. Speak to one of our experienced sales representatives today for more information on how Total Uniform Solutions can help you create a curated brand image through your corporate uniform.