Cintas names top six 2014 uniform rental trends

06 Mar '14

4 min read

As the economy improves, experts predict that companies will have to hire more employees in order to profit from the new opportunities. For many companies, this will also mean adding employee uniforms.

Taking their cue from many runway and retail-inspired fashions, Cintas Corporation has identified the top six trends in uniform rental to help companies improve their image and select the right workwear for the job.

“Gone are the days of stiff, ugly uniforms. New advancements in fabric and wash technologies have led to the creation of more colors, sizes and styles than ever before, allowing businesses to select uniform programs that can enhance their brand while keeping workers safe.”

“The uniform rental industry is constantly evolving in order to increase image, protect workers and improve comfort and peace of mind,” said Catherine Dungan Jones, Senior Apparel Designer, Cintas. “Gone are the days of stiff, ugly uniforms. New advancements in fabric and wash technologies have led to the creation of more colors, sizes and styles than ever before, allowing businesses to select uniform programs that can enhance their brand while keeping workers safe.”

Cintas’ top six trends in rental uniforms include:

Enhanced breathability: For decades, the word “uniform” conjured up images of stiff, heavily starched pants and shirts. Today, new fabric technology such as moisture-wicking controls have improved the breathability and wearability of employee uniforms, so workers can stay comfortable in any environment.

The trend of breathable garments also extends into protective apparel. With updated regulations, such as the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 2009 revision that requires all workers within the right of way or work zone to wear high-visibility apparel, lightweight, breathable garments are a must.

More Color: For years, the color navy was a standard in the uniform rental business. This was mostly because the dyes used to make lighter shades such as khaki or darker shades such as solid black were difficult to maintain. Today, with new developments in dyes, fabrics finishes and wash technology, these colors no longer fade after repeated wear. As a result, fewer organizations are using black and lighter in their uniform programs.

Smaller Logos: As the adage goes, “less is more” and this is also the case apparel logos. More organizations are embracing uniform programs as a way to extend their brand, utilizing color and style to promote their business rather than oversized logo t-shirts.

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