Uniform design isn’t just about aesthetics. A successful uniform must align with a company’s brand identity while also being fit for purpose, durable and enjoyable to wear.
Yet, all too often, the craftsmanship behind brand apparel is overlooked, resulting in uniforms that don’t perform as well as they should or don’t truly reflect a brand’s ethos.
When I started Field Grey 16 years ago I knew we had far more to offer than just knockout design skills. We have the kind of specialist knowledge many agencies lack, so consultancy was always going to be at the heart of our offering.
From the get-go our team has combined exceptional design skills and technical expertise, with alumni from the London College of Fashion and the Royal College of Art. As creative director I’m lucky to be supported by a hugely talented team who bring enthusiasm and expertise to everything we do, from invoicing and inventory to design and manufacture.
Over the years, we’ve worked with some of the world’s leading brands, translating their ideas into uniforms that not only look good but perform brilliantly in real-world work environments.
Our consultancy spans everything from refining garment construction to simplifying supply chains and making sure designs comply with the latest regulations and safety standards.
Here are some of the ways we help brands achieve more with their uniforms.
Getting the construction right
Where many design agencies fall short is in their knowledge of garment construction. Branding and aesthetics often come before construction – which ultimately determines how a garment will perform, last and, crucially, feel for the wearer. This is where Field Grey brings a wealth of deep expertise.
Creating beautiful designs is one thing, but it’s another to ensure those designs hold up in the real world. That’s where our Retail Brand Checker Service comes in. Working closely with manufacturers, we make sure every uniform is built to last, examining details down to the materials used and the sturdiness of the seams.
If a garment isn’t up to standard, we collaborate with suppliers around the world, each with varying levels of expertise and equipment, to make necessary adjustments. This process can sometimes require two or three rounds of revisions to get the construction right. We focus on key elements such as fit, colour, fabric, brand application, finishing of the product and overall durability.
The demands of each garment can vary by region too – heat-retaining taped seams won’t work for forecourt workers in Mexico, for example, while in poor areas lacking washing machines the garments must withstand frequent and harsh washing. We spotlight these nuances and make sure garments are fit for purpose, wherever they are in the world.
One way we ensure this is by developing detailed tech packs – documents that cover every aspect of a garment’s design, from stitching details and button placement to fabric specifications and logo sizing.
Design agencies have little grasp of the intricacies of garment construction, which is why brands come to us for help. With our design and technical expertise, we know exactly how to produce packs that suppliers can interpret accurately, so that every design specification is fully realised.
Setting the standard
As brands scale, it can be easy to lose sight of the manufacturing side. Making sure suppliers are being transparent, consistent and meeting evolving regulatory standards is a huge challenge, especially for global brands that source from multiple regions.
We help brands become more systematic in their approach, centralising supplier networks and making them more efficient and transparent. We don’t stop at quality control, we establish rigorous testing standards that address health and safety, such as ensuring anti-static fabrics are used for uniforms worn in fuel forecourts. In this context, uniform design is directly tied to keeping employees safe. Our Retail Brand Checker Service helps clients ensure their products are of consistent quality and that factories meet vital health, safety and environmental standards.
Creative design and brand alignment
At the heart of every successful uniform is how it reflects the brand it represents. Whether it’s a luxury hotel chain or a global retailer, it must embody the brand’s values, vision and personality. But aligning that creative vision with practical requirements is a delicate process. That’s where our creative design consultancy comes in.
One of the tools we use is the uniform playbook – brand bibles that empower companies to maintain a cohesive look across different sectors and regions. For Hilton EMEA, we developed a playbook that catered to their different hotel categories, from luxury to lifestyle. This wasn’t just a set of design guidelines, we included best practices for garment care and repair to promote sustainability and extend the life of each piece. We also provided advice on how to create these new solutions, for example laying out critical pathways needed to implement new solutions while meeting the brand’s sustainability goals.
The Hilton playbook also included advice on inclusive sizing, helping staff of all body types and needs feel comfortable and confident in their uniforms. This level of detail allows brands to make decisions with the full picture in mind, keeping their identity consistent while ensuring inclusivity and diversity are at the forefront of those decisions.
We also believe education is essential to an effective uniform strategy. When working with T-Mobile, we hosted workshops across Europe to help buying teams understand how to balance design consistency with regional preferences. For instance, while relaxed looks suited the Netherlands, Germany and Italy seemed to prefer a more formal look – in this case, anyway! These workshops empowered local teams to make choices that felt authentic to their region, all while staying true to the T-Mobile brand.
Creating long-term value
Ultimately, our consultancy isn’t just about the immediate needs of our clients. At Field Grey, we’re here to help brands create value over the long term. That means producing uniforms that aren’t only on-brand and fit for purpose today but are also designed to stay functional and relevant in the future.
By combining creative insight with technical expertise, we ensure that your uniforms don’t just represent your brand – they’re built to last, perform and make an impact on everyone who wears them.
Let’s design uniforms that work harder, last longer and represent your brand with integrity.