Get dressed, feel good, get going

The best workwear is the one that people like to wear. Good workwear must fit perfectly, it must not cramp or scratch, it must have practical pockets in which personal items or constantly needed work tools can be stored.. If it is also produced regionally, fairly and sustainably, is available in many colours and the procurement of spare parts is also ensured over a longer period of time, it is good workwear. If you buy workwear, you should also keep in mind that employees also judge a company by the quality of the clothing provided to them.

Only workwear that you want to wear is the most Important reason for wearing workwear: Employees should feel comfortable and be involved in the decision if possible. Breathable materials, fair trade cotton fabrics, the use of recycled polyester, practical detailed solutions – there are many arguments to consider when choosing workwear.

Work trousers are offered by many manufacturers or brands. If you want to enjoy the workwear for a long time, pay attention to where and under what conditions the workwear is produced, which materials have been processed and how the clothing is processed (single/double seamsPocket reinforcements?). Nowadays, the provision of sustainable workwear is becoming increasingly important; various brands have already specialized in this.

In the past, handicraft workwear was guild clothing, and the colours even suggested the profession practiced. Nowadays, workwear for craftsmen must be one thing above all: tear-resistant, practical, robust and comfortable. Because every industry has different requirements, the workwear should also be tailored to the industry. A master butcher wears different work clothes than a locksmith or roofer. When choosing workwear, take look to see if seasonal  items such as shorts or padded work jackets are offered.

If you want to buy work clothes, you will usually find what you are looking for locally in DIY stores or on the Internet. While DIY stores often only have a limited range of clothing, materials or clothing sizes in stock, which sometimes does not cover all requirements, the selection on the Internet is often (unmanageably) large. The disadvantage: The advice on the Internet is omitted, the purchase decision is made only according to optics and price. Unlike casual clothing, however, workwear should fit well and you should be able to easily procure replacements of the same quality. During a consultation, a lot of useful information can be obtained, which sometimes saves costs. Also note that workwear is regulated by law in many industries. In such cases, your employer is obliged to: Procure, pay for and provide work clothes. What many people don't know is that you can rent work clothes instead of buying them. Renting workwear can be thought of as a subscription: the clothes are provided, washed, repaired and replaced in case of wear and tear – always in consistent quality.

Studies show that well-fitting work trousers make a decisive contribution to how comfortable you feel in your work clothes. Work trousers not only offer extra comfort in the job, but also the necessary protection. Unlike the jeans you wear in your spare time, work trousers are designed for special jobs. If you want to find the "best" work trousers for yourself, you should ask yourself what purpose the work trousers must serve. Do you handle chemical pesticides, work with sharp-edged metals or outside, on construction sites (even in bad weather)? Do you need knee pads, protection against liquid chemicals or water-repellent material? Work trousers are usually more robust than "normal" trousers. And: Usually you also have more bags. But be careful: In some professions, lockable pockets are mandatory, or metal press studs. Specialist dealers are aware of these requirements. If you are unsure, it is best to seek advice. Our Workwear team will be happy to discuss any questions you might have.

Work trousers can be found in a variety of designs – for a variety of professions: with and without protective properties, made of light and heavier fabrics, with many or with few additional features (such as hammer loop or ruler pocket), with elastic waistband, with belt loops or with suspenders as dungarees. Work overalls are also very popular in some professions and countries. Important: A pair of work trousers is made for working. Good quality pays off. It is best to buy your work trousers from specialist retailers or specialist suppliers for workwear. So you feel safe and well protected in your new work trousers.

The fabric or basis weight of work trousers is usually between 250 and 300 g/m². Depending on the size and additional features, average work trousers weigh about 1 kg. Heavy fabric qualities are generally more robust than light ones; the basis weight of blue jeans can be over 300 g/m². heavy fabrics are not necessarily the higher quality fabrics.Rather, a higher-quality fabric has at least a proportion of natural fibers such as cotton or linen.

Tax offices recognize lump-sum expenses for typical workwear as income-related expenses if they were procured privately. If the workwear is provided by the employer, it depends on whether it is protective clothing (PPE) or typical workwear. In both cases, the provision of work clothes does not constitute a pecuniary advantage within the meaning of income tax; these work clothes cannot be deducted from wages. Something different sometimes arises if the clothing can also be used privately.  Contact your financial adviser for advice.

In many industries, workwear is required by law and must be provided by the employer. In most cases, occupational health and safety regulations or hygiene requirements are decisive factors in the fact that workwear must be worn. In these cases, the boss is obliged to procure, pay for and provide the prescribed work clothes. This also applies, for example, to outdoor workplaces that require weather protection. Anyone who works in the food industry is obliged to wear HACCP-compliant workwear.

How often workwear needs to be cleaned or washed depends on who wears it where (in which industry, in which profession). Sometimes a daily change of workwear may be required – for example in the food industry. Work clothes that are heavily soiled and may smell unpleasant should be changed and washed after work. If work clothes are required at your workplace or company, perhaps even for safety reasons (in this case PPE), the employer must provide the clothing and clean it after use.  Please feel free in contacting us.

Workwear – especially those that have protective properties – should be professionally cleaned. This is the only way to ensure that clothing is washed hygienically and that the protective function of workwear, such as PPE, is not impaired. The employer is responsible for professional cleaning. Professional cleaning is also recommended for reasons of environmental protection: industrial laundry consumes significantly less (fresh) water per kilogram of laundry than the domestic washing machine, and energy consumption is kept low by state-of-the-art systems. Some suppliers already work with green electricity in many of their industrial laundries, including CWS Workwear.

Since about the Middle Ages, craftsmen wore work clothes, i.e. clothing that marked them as belonging to their profession. Even today, workwear is important – similar to good, functional tools, the right clothing is an indispensable part of many professions. But why?

The most important property of workwear is certainly to minimize the risk of accidents and the potential for injury. This applies, for example, in the metal industry, in road construction or in the chemical industry. However, professional workwear also radiates professional competence, it underlines the recognition value of a and helps to create a greater sense of togetherness in the team. A third, good reason to wear workwear is that private clothing is spared and protected from wear.