What is the difference between Corporate Fashion and workwear?

Two objectives, two product ranges

Corporate Fashion is the clothing through which your business presents itself to the outside world. It may have a fashionable cut, be made from lighter fabrics and feel like normal clothing — because it is worn in situations where first impressions count: reception, sales, consultations, trade fairs.

Traditional workwear serves a different purpose. It must be durable, practical and, in an emergency, provide protection: reinforced seams, well-designed pockets, robust fabrics. Where there is a risk, certified protective features are added.

In terms of price, the two markets overlap more than many people expect. It is only with certified standard products that the price becomes significantly higher — in that case, you are paying for verified safety, not aesthetics.

Which sector needs what?

The construction, trades and industrial sectors primarily require workwear and protective clothing — brands such as Blåkläder, Mascot and FHB are designed with this in mind.

The catering, hospitality, retail and service sectors use Corporate Fashion; typical manufacturers here include Hakro, Clique and Printer.

The most interesting example is trades involving customer contact: anyone who carries out installation work in the morning and advises customers in the afternoon needs a combination of sturdy trousers, a smart polo shirt or a softshell jacket over the top.

When protection standards are binding

Whether protective clothing is compulsory is not a matter of personal preference, but is determined by the employer’s risk assessment — which, in Switzerland, is based on the guidelines issued by SUVA and EKAS.

The most important standards: EN ISO 20471 for high-visibility clothing in conditions of poor visibility, EN 343 for weather protection, EN ISO 11612 for protection against heat and flames, EN 1149 for antistatic requirements, and EN 61482 for protection against arc flash.

We stock multi-standard and flame-retardant items in our shop, including those from Blåkläder. An important point to note regarding customisation: on certified protective clothing, the placement of the logo must not compromise the protective effect — we check this as well.

Protection and good looks are not mutually exclusive

The days when protective clothing inevitably looked like a sack are over. Modern designs combine compliance with standards and a contemporary cut — the clothing meets the requirements whilst still looking like a deliberate fashion statement.

With a neat finish, even protective clothing becomes a calling card. The only difference compared to Corporate Fashion is that the placement follows the requirements of the relevant standards, not just design preferences.

What to look for in a seat

The most common mistake is the lack of genuine women’s cuts. In practice, ‘unisex’ often simply means a smaller men’s size — this doesn’t fit properly and, as a result, people are reluctant to wear it.

What’s more, size charts vary considerably from one brand to another, so there’s no getting round trying the clothes on or getting a sample set. You should test them whilst moving, not whilst standing still — it’s only when you have to bend down, reach for things and climb that you’ll notice any restrictions.

And the full range of sizes must be available right from the start, so that no one in the team needs a special solution.

Corporate Fashion’s future direction

The direction is clear: a move towards a more casual style — hoodies and cardigans instead of shirts —, sports-inspired fabrics that are more comfortable to wear, and subtle tone-on-tone branding instead of large logos.

At the same time, sustainable and recycled fabrics are becoming increasingly important, as are genuinely feminine cuts rather than unisex compromises.