Five Workwear Essentials for Spring

Image: Carhartt Workwear

With the first signs of spring in the air, March is a great time to review your workwear and consider whether your working conditions, or the hazards you face will be changing with the season.
We have compiled a list of five spring essentials - although we cover so many industries it would be impossible to summarise every requirement in five items - so we've gone for a varied range that will hopefully allow us to hit upon some key points of all-round relevance.

1) A light, waterproof hi-visibility jacket. Hi-vis is a crucial item of PPE for anyone working in construction, in warehouses or around lorries and other moving vehicles and highway maintenance to name but a few. If you are working in low light levels or if vehicles are moving in your workspace or you in theirs, it is essential that you can easily be seen. This item also applies to leisurewear; with milder weather on the way you may be feeling more inclined to walk or cycle to work, a hi-vis jacket is the best way to safeguard yourself on these journeys.
A light jacket in a breathable material will help to keep you cool and comfortable, opt for a waterproof though - those April showers are never far away! We recommend the  Dickies SA22042 Hi-Visibility Waterproof Jacket.

Why did the chicken cross the road?
Because she could, safely, in her hi-vis jacket. 

2) A light coverall offering extra comfort and ease of movement. If you regularly wear coveralls you may have invested in a good, insulated pair for the winter. As the weather becomes warmer you'll be looking for a lighter option to keep you comfortable through the summer. Short sleeves and breathable fabric will keep you cool, coveralls offering built in room for movement will be especially comfortable. The Dickies WD2299 Short Sleeve Coverall is a great warm weather coverall with action back feature and elastication for ease of movement.

3) A Short Sleeve Shirt. This one covers a multitude of sins: Our Pilot Shirts are extremely popular with security firms, ambulance crews etc and the short sleeve option is great for keeping cool in what can be a very active job, as well as being ideal for layering. Office staff can find a great range of smart shirts in our office range and for Chefs we stock short sleeve jackets to help you stay cool in the kitchen; these generally include vented backs to allow for air flow and ensure comfort.

4) A quality pair of Safety Boots or Shoes. You may have been wearing thick, insulated boots for the winter, or heavy wellingtons. With spring on its way this is a great time to look around at what's new on the market. Waterproofing and breathability are still important features and comfort soles or energy absorber heels are handy features if your job is about to get busier in the summer months. If you are working as a gardener or groundskeeper, heavy safety boots may cause problems as they are very hard on lawns - safety trainers are a better solution and have many of the same features you would find in safety boots. Always check that the footwear you are buying is suitable for the conditions and risks in your work environment. You can view our Footwear Guide for more tips.

Click Safety Shoes

5) Polo Shirts. A smart, plain Polo Shirt is always a great workwear staple item, either as a stand alone piece for jobs where no strict uniform is needed or to buy on bulk for your workforce. Look for short sleeve options for summer, they can be easily layered up or down to suit the whims of the weather and many styles are available in cool, breathable fabrics. Our range of polo shirts are suitable for embroidery, allowing you to add names or logos to personalise your garments.