Uniforms have been in existence since human civilization started. Weather you look at ancient Rome, Greece or Egypt, men and women alike used to wear uniforms. The first uniforms were not only of military origin, but were also seen in religious services. The purpose was to show uniformity and identity.

In business, the history of uniforms goes back to the 14th century during the middle ages in Europe.Those first business uniforms were mostly worn for functional reasons. Bakers used to wear white to prevent stains from flour for instance.

Today companies pick uniforms for a wide variety of reasons. Just like the first uniforms that were worn over 5,000 years ago, company choose uniforms to help establish an identity and to create a corporate image. Company uniforms also help in establishing a brand.

Interesed in “Customer Perception of Uniforms in the Workplace”, the Uniform & Textile Service Association (UTSA) appointed J.D. Powers and Associates to conduct a detailed survey to find out more. The study supported previous documentation in literature on the psychology of clothing in the workplace. Two main things stood out in this study: First, customers associate positive personal attributes with uniforms, and think of people wearing uniforms as professional and well-trained. Second, uniforms create brand recognition. In addition, the survey showed that customer preferred to do business with employees in uniforms. Uniforms give customers the confidence that they will receive quality service from the employee weraing the uniform.

The link between uniforms and positive customer perception increased the number of companies that outfult their emplyees with uniforms. In fact the USTA shows studies that the use of uniforms increase by about 4% per year. Currently over 33 million employees in the US wear a company uniform to work.

Neckties and company uniforms

Neckties have a long tradition as a formal piece of clothing accessory. The first uniform neckties are also of military origin and date back to 1880 in Britain. Neckties present a professional image, and companies that choose a tie as part of the uniform usually come from service related industries like banking, airlines, bars, restaurants, and hotels.