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You often hear people say that it’s not about appearance, but about someone’s performance at work. However, recent research shows that even the clothing of skilled professionals does indeed influence how we judge them. And this is not the only study that highlights this…
Belgians have more confidence in professionals who wear clean workwear
According to research conducted by iVOX on behalf of Wavemakers, three-quarters of Belgians have more confidence in professionals when they wear company uniforms. Additionally, 73% believe that work is done more efficiently when workers wear appropriate workwear. Of the 1,000 respondents, 92% think that workwear is a requirement.
Professionals who do not wear work attire are perceived by more than half of the people as less safe, cautious, and professional. And if you wear work clothes, it’s important that they are clean. Dirty workwear is viewed as unkempt (69%) and unhygienic (66%).
To truly make a good impression, there’s more to it than just clean workwear. A team wearing the same uniforms (75%) inspires more trust in customers. The same goes for clothing featuring a company logo (70%).
How workwear works
This is not the first time research has highlighted the importance of representative work attire. A few years ago, a study conducted among German and British consumers showed that this also plays an important role in the hospitality industry. No less than 84% of people believe that staff appear more professional when wearing company uniforms. Additionally, 88% believe more service is offered when employees wear uniforms rather than casual clothing.
For me, these figures are not surprising. I always say that we will stop judging people by their appearance only when we are blind. Until then, we will all, consciously or unconsciously, form an impression in our minds when we see someone. And this is not only important in the office. I once spoke to a man who specialized in workwear for movers. He also emphasized that this clothing not only needs to be comfortable. When workwear looks neat, it gives the customer the impression that you will handle their belongings with care.
This is certainly true for tradespeople as well. A carpenter in well-kept clothing is more likely to give the impression that they will deliver your furniture neatly than someone who shows up in a shirt full of holes. While clothing doesn’t determine actual performance, it does communicate a lot to our brains.
Best regards,
Aileen