WORKPLACES ARE CHANGING
Introduction
Since the start of COVID-19, work from home and remote work have been increasingly prevalent. Where there were once rules for corporate workwear in the office, all of a sudden, there were none for those working remotely other than you had to wear business attire on the top half while on video calls. While not every job can be performed remotely, this new trend created nuances for corporate workwear and how companies would go about trying to keep their remote teams connected and feeling like a team. In time, many companies have brought their workforce back into the office and employees have had to readjust to everything from the morning commute to selecting their workwear for the day. However, in coming back to the office, many companies have changed where they stand on what is appropriate corporate workwear and have created new, more relaxed dress codes. There have been so many changes to “rules” and trends in uniforms and workwear since 2020 that it’s hard to keep up. At Fully Promoted, we’ve done the research, gathered some of these trends, and thought of ways to navigate the ever-changing workplaces and what is appropriate workwear and remote team swag.
What do People Wear to Work?
Did you know that only 35% of the working world wears a uniform? This tells us that over half of the world’s workforce only has guidelines to base their wardrobe choices on each day for work.For many, this can lead to anxiety, additional expense, and time management issues causing them to be late for work.
In fact, one in nine people have been late arriving at work because they could not decide what to wear to work, and 47% struggle to pick out their outfits before work. We can alleviate this by offering workers company swag in the form of branded apparel that they can wear to the office and still look professional. Even those companies whose employees are still working remotely or who have adopted a hybrid schedule, are often requiring branded shirts or blouses. This has led some businesses to create an online company store where employees can easily order appropriate branded workwear to give their teams more options – whether they are remote or in the office.
Corporate Workwear and Remote Team Swag Ideas
Here are some great corporate workwear options that can be sent out as a token of appreciation, birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, made available for purchase, and more to help your team feel more connected. These are also appropriate for wearing on and off the clock.
- Polo Shirts - Whether polo shirts are appropriate every day of the week or just on Fridays, polos are gender-neutral and a great way to keep your company looking professional while also being comfortable in today’s more relaxed work environments.
- Shirts - If your company has not moved in the direction of a more casual work environment, button-down dress shirts may still be the norm for your team. Adding an embroidered logo creates a sense of unity for your team.
- Pants - Putting your logo on your pants and also offering multiple sizes and styles for men and women will help alleviate many issues in the workplace.
- Skirts, Skorts or Shorts - For the warmer weather, it’s nice to offer these additional uniform options for your employees.
- Socks - Branded socks are a fun item for team giveaways and can be dressy or more casual depending on your business’s identity.
- Outerwear & Winter Accessories - Branded socks are a fun item for team giveaways and can be dressy or more casual depending on your business’s identity.
Other Factors to Consider When Selecting Corporate Workwear
When selecting items for your company’s branded corporate workwear, there’s more to it than most people think. Colors, seasons, textures, fabrics, and more should be considered.
Making multiple colors available for corporate workwear options will help your team feel fashionable and may encourage them to buy in and wear these items with pride. Even if you are trying to stick with brand colors such as blue and gray, perhaps you can consider offering various shades of these colors as well as staples like white and black. Or, if you are open to more colors, incorporate lighter and brighter colors like white, orange, and yellow for the spring and summer. In the fall, think about adding neutral browns, beiges, and warm deep tones that can be worn in the winter as well.
Considering seasonality in your area is important because what is appropriate for December in Florida would not be the same as what is appropriate in Michigan at the same time of year. This might influence the fabric options and textures you select – think wool and flannel in cold climates as opposed to lighter cotton and quick-dry fabrics in warmer climates.
Sustainability is another factor to consider when selecting corporate workwear for your employees. Making eco-friendly choices is exceedingly important in corporate fashion trends.
More and more people care deeply about the impact our choices make on the environment and as a business, you must also consider what these choices say about your brand. It is estimated that a whole garbage truck fills a landfill with old textiles every second – that’s a lot of clothing going to waste. Think about incorporating recycled materials, recycled foam for shoes, etc.
Branded Remote Team Swag is Always a Hit
For many of those working remotely, feeling connected to their workplace and colleagues has been a struggle – 19% of remote workers list loneliness as one of the biggest challenges of remote work. For this reason, many businesses in the past two years have sent out care packages to employees recovering from COVID-19, swag boxes to motivate teams to continue to work hard, branded office essentials to new hires, and more. The possibilities are endless!
Wellness and Self-Care Kits
Want to encourage your employees to get moving? You’re not alone! 81% of large companies have wellness programs in place for their employees to keep them in their best physical and mental health. Wellness and self-care kits can include a large variety of items including branded blankets, sleep masks, lotions, fitness trackers, yoga mats, fitness apparel, hand sanitizer, and more.
Welcome Kits for New Hires
When you want to make sure new employees feel welcome, send out a box full of office necessities such as branded pens, highlighters, notebooks, headphones or earbuds, coffee mugs, phone chargers, polo shirts, and don’t forget their business cards and company stationery as well.
Swag Boxes
58.6% of the total US workforce are remote workers. Surprise your remote team members with company swag boxes featuring some of the most popular promotional items to show them you appreciate them like branded tumblers, t-shirts, Bluetooth speakers, headphones or earbuds, custom stress balls, cookies or another sweet treat, and maybe even a gym bag.
Having a corporate apparel plan and remote team swag plan in place won’t just make your company better, but the lives of your employees better. Despite the recent changes in the workplace, we don’t know for sure what the future will bring but we do know that valuing your employees will always help them feel more connected to your business and improve their on-the-job performance making your investment in corporate workwear and team swag invaluable for your business.
If your business is ready to discuss corporate workwear options and swag for your remote teams, Fully Promoted’s local experts are your go-to source. Contact us today and start shopping online at your convenience 24/7!