How to Choose the Right Hospitality Uniforms for Your Front-of-House Staff

For any business, first impressions matter big time. And if you’re running a restaurant, cafe or any other hospitality business, the way your front-of-house crew is dressed is usually one of the first details guests will notice upon entering your place. With that being said, it’s essential that your employees look polished and professional in their uniforms. To help you choose the right uniforms for your business, here are some important things to consider.

Pick a Style that Suits the Setting

What kind of uniforms your employees should wear depends largely on the type of venue you’re running. For instance, if you’re a high-end restaurant, you want your crew to look more formal, so using T-shirts as uniforms simply isn’t going to work. Instead, what you need is a more traditional combination, like for instance suit pants, a waistcoat and a long-sleeved white shirt for work.

On the other hand, if you’re running a more casual establishment, you can consider a more laid-back, youthful uniform. But remember – even a casual look should look neat and professional. So, choose T-shirts that are stain resistant and won’t fade easily. A casual, short-sleeved white shirt for work made of a cotton/polyester blend that’s easily washable is often a great choice. You can pair it with short or long chino pants depending on the season.

Consider the Materials

The materials your uniforms are made of are very important. Your staff will appreciate uniforms that keep them comfortable throughout the day. To ensure that your employees stay cool as they move around in a hot, busy environment, look for materials that are breathable and absorb sweat easily. In this case, cotton and viscose are a great choice. To make your uniforms appropriate for colder days, consider getting wool cardigans or tweed jackets.

Use Uniforms to Support Your Brand

As a business, it’s important that you create a recognisable brand that will set you apart from the rest of the crowd. Uniforms can be a great extension to that brand. If you’re running a casual place, you can spice your uniforms up with a variety of personalised touches such as fun badges, patchwork or prints that represent your business’ logo or motto. Even if your place is more formal and high-end, there are still ways you can convey your unique brand. In this case, you can use accessories such as ties, scarves, apron straps and other more formal items that are in your business’ colours.