An Interesting History of Corporate Uniforms

From the get-go, uniforms are interesting on how we can have an image in our heads when we think of an aeroplane pilot or a fast food service crew. It is a powerful tool that can differentiate various workers that we see today. Knowing how impactful a corporate uniform is in our way of identifying workers, there should be a meaningful and interesting history about it. Don’t worry because there is!

Historically, work uniforms can be traced back to the middle ages. At that time, workers wear badges that indicate their job position and who they work for. Badges were a symbol of legitimacy back then because no one would trust a messenger if he wasn’t wearing a badge with the insignia of the nobility or royalty they served. With one small badge attached to a person’s clothing, it has allowed people to put their trust in them. It just further proves how one distinctive clothing categorises them to belong in the working class. 

From Badges to Work Uniforms

As everything is bound to change and evolve, badges were then followed by work uniforms. The end of the badge era was prompted by the servants to the court called the Liveries. It was then that colour-specific uniforms were shown to the world, specifically during the early modern period of 1500 to 1800s. Each colour symbolises a family or a country that these servants or Liveries were loyal to. They continued to be popular throughout the next centuries. 

However, even with the emergence of work uniforms, badges have not been left in the dark. In fact, they were modernised in what we know as brand logos today! They are and still are, the indication of affiliations and identity. 

Modern Work Uniforms

The dominance of the court livery uniform came to a halt in the early 20th century. It was when modern work uniforms started to rise due to small industries where workers already have uniforms. One example is the traditional chef outfit, which was first seen in the 1900s. As the service industry grew, restaurants have brought prominence to the chef uniforms! Soon enough, other industries followed suit.

The level of attention that we, as suppliers, gave to design uniforms were not only practical but also attractive and quite impressive. Every element of a uniform has a function, like how the choice of white was applied in making chef uniforms because white is good in deflecting heat—which they encounter every day from stoves, open fires, and other heat sources. Their houndstooth pants, sometimes in solid black colour, were also effective in camouflaging food stains caused by daily encounters with different types of food preparation.

Overall, the history of uniforms may have developed to reflect the social trends of each period since plenty of industries emerged during the early 20th century, but we can conclude that the workers' safety is never abandoned. To ensure that all safety measures are considered, laws were implemented in the workplace, including what they are supposed to wear. As uniform suppliers in Singapore, we are committed to helping you stay compliant with said laws!

Latest Corporate Uniforms from WIZ By Neptune

We’ve learned that corporate uniform and workwear isn't exactly a 21st-century concept. Its history allowed uniforms to evolve and change as different businesses came to rise. Today, uniformed workers wear the most developed and enhanced technical workwear that is suited in their line of work. With dedication and passion to continue to develop smart work uniforms for Singapore workers, we at WIZ By Neptune will persevere to make intricate workwear beginning from the cloth material down to the buttons to be used to ensure the comfort of every wearer.

Check out our website to get an in-depth process of uniform design, or buy from our quality designed workwear uniforms today!