Archive for December, 2009

When you’re researching uniforms for your business, you’ll probably develop a general idea of the look and feel you want your clothing to give off. But when it comes time to actually purchase your uniforms, it’s the small details that can make or break the look you want. What kind of things should you be thinking about?

Collars – Pointed or Button Down? The difference between these two collar styles seems minor, but depending on the level of formality you’re looking for, it can make all the difference.

Front Pockets – Yes or No? Traditionally, we’ve found that women prefer their work uniforms to consist of a more fitted shirt without a front pocket. Men, on the other hand, would rather have the standard point collar shirt with a pocket. So will you get the same style uniforms for all employees, or order separate men’s shirts and women’s shirts? If you’re going with pockets, there are more choices. Some pockets come with a very tiny sewn in area to store a pen for easy access. Will that be useful to your team?

Button Color – Dyed or Plain? You might not even think about the color of your buttons, but you have options here as well. The standard button option are white or clear buttons, though most shirts can be ordered with buttons that match the shirt color. In fact, it’s becoming more and more popular, and creates a very clean look.

Before you order any uniforms, take some time to review the details and always ask questions. The experts at Averill’s Sharper Uniforms are here to help!

You’ve probably got a favorite shirt that you take extra care of. It gets washed on the gentle cycle and is never left in a rumpled heap on the floor. But what about your professional wardrobe? Does it get the same love and attention? If you’re not taking proper care of your career clothing, you’ll end up spending more time and money in the long run as you try to look your best. We’ve collected some great tips that can help you keep your clothes in tip top shape!

Watch Care Labels. Every garment has a care label. You should review the instructions on that label before washing. Don’t just assume everything can go in the same laundry load!

Sort Laundry Before Washing. Don’t mix your lights and darks, just like mom taught us when we were little! The last thing you want is dark colors to bleed onto your light colored clothing. Separate delicates which might be damaged in the wash with coarser clothing. Also, wash things that produce lint, like towels, in their own load.

Treat Stains ASAP. Don’t ever let stains sit on the fabric, if you can help it. Use a spot remove on a stain as soon as you see it.

Press Or Steam. Eliminating wrinkles is important for a professional look. Just make sure you’ve checked your heat settings before you start so that you don’t burn or damage the fabric.

Don’t Skimp On Hangers. Ditch the wire hangers and use something with more support that won’t allow clothes to sag out of shape.

Zip It Up! Garments with zippers should be zipped up and secured. Velcro closures should be covered and turned inside out so that these items can’t catch on other clothing and cause snags

One of the most important pieces of your wait staff’s uniform is often one that doesn’t get much thought: Aprons. These versatile pieces of clothing are often chosen just for their function, but some thought should be put into their style as well. Staff wear their aprons on top of their clothes, which makes them one of the first things your customers will see. Something that gets so much face time deserves some thought, doesn’t it?

Aprons for Severs – Servers need aprons primarily to help carry things, such as pens, straws and paper. Front pocket aprons are the most popular choice for servers since it allows them to store everything they need close by. Waist aprons or bistro aprons are the most popular because they don’t cover up the waiter’s top.

Kitchen Staff Aprons – Things can quickly get messy back in the kitchen, so it makes sense to choose a full bib apron for anyone working behind the scenes. It keeps your staff neat and clean, and they can be quickly removed if the cook wants to come up front and mingle with guests.

If you have a specific color scheme at your restaurant, you might want to choose colors and patterns that compliment your space. Otherwise, black or white make classic and elegant choices for any apron!

The cold weather has officially arrived in most of the country. People are bundling up as they head out to work and school, and your staff should be no different. Inside it’s warm and toasty, but if you’re running a country club, casino, or any other company that sends their employees outside, you need to prep them for the chill!

Sweaters – If it gets chilly inside or back in the kitchen, adding a sweater to your uniforms is an easy way to keep your staff happy and warm. They’re a great choice when no one is spending much time outside but might encounter drafts from the door at the front desk.

Jackets – You might not need heavy duty winter wear in warmer climates, but you should keep some jackets on hand for chilly evenings. A men’s blazer or suit jacket is a good way to keep warm, and it also dresses up your staff for formal events.

Outerwear – Your staff needs to be prepared to do their job even on the coldest days of the year. Now is the time to invest in some high quality men’s outerwear and women’s outerwear. Look for fleeces, rain jackets, and other heavy duty coats that can withstand anything. Warm staff members are happy and will continue to provide the top notch service you expect!