Everything about workwear

Good workwear protects against the weather, dirt and wear, is comfortable during a long working day and shows which company you belong to. In some professions, workwear is also a legally required piece of protective equipment, for example when working near roads or with flames and sparks. On this page you will read how to choose your workwear: what types there are, which fabrics and standards matter, how to find the right size and how to keep your clothes looking good for longer.

On this page: Types of workwear · Fabric and weight · Protective workwear and standards · Workwear by profession · Working in cold and rain · Size and fit · Logo and company clothing · Washing and care · Frequently asked questions

What types of workwear are there?

A complete work outfit usually consists of a few standard items. For each item, there are clear choices:

• Work trousers – from simple work trousers to models with knee pockets, holster pockets and reinforcements. American overalls or dungarees also protect the back.
• Overalls – a one-piece garment that covers the whole body, practical for dirty work and in maintenance and industry.
• Work jackets – from softshell for dry, cool weather to lined winter jackets and parkas.
• Polos and T-shirts and sweaters – the base layer, often with a company logo.
• Fleece and bodywarmers – an intermediate layer that keeps you warm and leaves your arms free.
• Rainwear – jackets, trousers and overalls that keep the rain out.

For women, there are women's workwear models with an adjusted cut in the hips, waist and shoulders, which fit better than a small men's size.

Which fabric and weight do you choose?

The fabric determines how strong, warm and comfortable the workwear is. The most commonly used fabrics:

• Polyester/cotton (often 65/35) – the standard for work trousers and overalls. Strong, wrinkles little and dries quickly, while the cotton ensures comfort.
• 100% cotton – breathes well and is pleasant on the skin, but wrinkles more and dries more slowly. Cotton does not melt, which is an advantage in some environments with sparks.
• Reinforced fabrics – extra strong fabrics on knees and pockets extend the life of trousers during heavy work.
• Softshell – windproof, water-repellent and breathable; ideal as a jacket in spring and autumn.
• Stretch – fabrics with elastane provide more freedom of movement when kneeling, bending and climbing.

The fabric weight is indicated in grams per square meter (g/m²). The higher the number, the sturdier and warmer the fabric. Summer trousers are often around 200 g/m², a sturdy work trouser or overall around 250 to 300 g/m².

When is workwear protective clothing?

Ordinary workwear protects against dirt and wear. For specific risks, clothing must meet a European standard and is a piece of personal protective equipment. The most important standards:

High visibility: for EN ISO 20471, the amount of fluorescent fabric and reflective tape determines the class. Class 3 provides the most visibility and is commonly used for work along highways; you often achieve class 3 by combining a hi-vis jacket with hi-vis trousers. You can find more explanation in our blog EN ISO 20471: what do classes 1, 2 and 3 mean for high visibility clothing?

Multi-standard means that one garment meets several standards at the same time, for example flame-retardant, antistatic and arc-resistant. This is useful in the petrochemical industry, energy sector and electrical engineering, where multiple risks occur together.

Workwear by profession

Every industry has its own requirements. A few examples:

• Construction – strong trousers with knee pockets for knee pads, holster pockets and often hi-vis.
• Road workers – hi-vis class 2 or 3, often combined with rainwear.
• Industry – overalls and work trousers, depending on the process, with flame-retardant or antistatic properties.
• Food industry – light, easily washable clothing without chest pockets and with covered snap fasteners, so that nothing can fall into the product.
• Hospitality and chef clothing – chef jackets, aprons and light, easily washable fabrics.
• Painters – white workwear that can withstand paint and frequent washing.
• Laboratory and healthcare – lab coats and hygienic clothing.
• Security and forestry – recognizable clothing and protective sawing clothing.

On the professional clothing page and in the workwear by profession collection, you will find an overview per sector.

Workwear for cold and rain: the layering system

When working outdoors in winter, it is best to wear three layers. A base layer (T-shirt or thermal underwear) wicks moisture away from your skin. An intermediate layer such as fleece, a sweater or bodywarmer retains heat. An outer layer protects against wind and rain. With layers, you can easily take something off if you get warm during heavy work.

For rainwear according to EN 343, two classes are indicated on the label: one for water resistance and one for breathability. The higher both are, the better the clothing keeps you dry from the outside and inside. For work in cold rooms and freezers, choose thermal clothing that has been tested according to EN 342 or EN 14058.

How do you choose the right size?

Workwear should be loose enough to move freely, but not so wide that fabric can get caught behind machines or tools. Measure your chest circumference, waist and inseam and compare them with the size charts. Many work trousers are available in different leg lengths. If you wear extra layers in winter, take this into account when choosing the size of your jacket.

If you are dressing a whole team, it is a good idea to first request size charts or samples. This prevents you from having to exchange a lot afterwards.

Workwear with logo and company clothing for teams

With your company logo on the clothing, your team will look recognizable and professional. Logos can be embroidered or printed; on the printing with your logo page you can read what is possible. When choosing protective clothing, make sure that a logo or printing does not affect the certification: for hi-vis, a logo must not cover too much of the fluorescent and reflective parts, and for flame-retardant clothing, the printing material must also be suitable.

For companies with multiple employees, Total Protex offers business ordering on account and a clothing register to keep track of sizes and issues per employee.

How do you wash and care for your workwear?

Always follow the wash label. A few general tips:

• Wash new clothing inside out and with similar colors, and close zippers and Velcro.
• Do not use fabric softener with flame-retardant, antistatic and ESD clothing: this can reduce the protective effect.
• For hi-vis clothing, the label indicates how many times the clothing has been tested for washing. If the fluorescent color fades or the reflective tape comes loose, replace the garment.
• Do not use bleach and do not iron over reflective tapes or printing.
• Rainwear stays water-repellent longer if you re-impregnate it occasionally.

Damaged protective clothing, with tears, burn holes or loose seams, no longer protects according to the standard and must be replaced.

Frequently asked questions about workwear

Must my employer pay for workwear?

For protective clothing required according to the risk assessment, such as hi-vis or flame-retardant clothing, the employer is obliged under occupational health and safety legislation to provide it free of charge. For ordinary workwear without a protective function, employers and employees often make their own arrangements, for example in the collective labor agreement.

What is the difference between workwear and company clothing?

Workwear is made to withstand work, dirt and wear. Company clothing is mainly about a recognizable look with a logo. In practice, they often overlap: a sturdy polo or softshell jacket with a logo is both.

Which class of hi-vis do I need?

That depends on the workplace and the traffic speed. As a rule of thumb: class 1 is for light risks, class 2 for work near traffic and class 3 for work along highways or in the dark. Always follow what the client or the RI&E prescribes.

How long does workwear last?

That depends on how intensively you use the clothing and how often you wash it. Replace protective clothing as soon as it is damaged or no longer meets the standard, for example if the hi-vis has faded.

Can I order workwear business-to-business on account?

Yes. After business registration, companies, institutions and employment agencies can order on account.

Discover our full range of workwear, such as the Euro Work Poly Cotton Overall Portwest S999, the Standard Overall Portwest 2802 and the Hi-Vis Sweater Portwest B303.