How to Choose Workwear for Winter

Lots of things change with the seasons, and workwear is one of them! If you have employees who work primarily outdoors, it's crucial that you offer a uniform that allows them to work comfortably and perform at their best, whatever the weather. As the winter months approach, it’s time to introduce warmer layers to keep body temperatures at a safe, healthy level. 

At Banana Moon, we offer a range of clothes perfect for your winter uniform that we can easily personalise, meaning your employees can proudly display your branding year-round.

UK Regulations for Winter Workwear Clothing

Keeping your employees safe is part of an employer’s responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This includes protection from the elements, such as extreme temperatures and rain. If your employee suffers adverse health consequences due to their required uniform being inadequate for the temperatures, you could be held legally responsible. 

For work taking place at extremely low temperatures below -5℃, workwear must meet the EN342 criteria. However, in England and Wales, it is very rare for temperatures to drop this low in the daytime.  If your operation is likely to involve employees working in these temperatures, however, contact us, and we can look into sourcing EN342-compliant pieces to personalise according to your needs. 

Our Recommendations for Customised Winter Workwear

Below are some of the most popular pieces employers choose to personalise as part of their winter uniform additions. 

Personalised Fleeces

Fleeces are a great winter workwear option because the brushed fibres trap pockets of warm air close to the body, warming your workers effectively without adding unnecessary bulk, so they can still move freely. 

Because fleeces and quarter zips are relatively fitted to the body, they can also be layered over in very low temperatures.

To personalise a fleece for winter workwear, we recommend small-format logo embroidery on the side of the chest. This placement subtly draws the eye and always looks smart. 

Workwear Hoodies

Hoodies aren’t an appropriate choice for certain industrial or outdoor workplaces, such as those where a high degree of peripheral vision is important for safety or where equipment poses an entanglement risk. 

We wouldn’t recommend this choice for workplaces involving heavy machinery or rotary equipment, or for locations near traffic, such as roadwork jobs. Tree surgeons should also avoid using hoodies as part of their uniform. 

However, some outdoor and manual jobs where hoodies are a great choice include:

• Groundskeeping and landscaping

• Event staff 

• Delivery people

• General construction

If incorporating hoodies into your workwear uniform, we advise avoiding drawcords. One great drawcord-free option is our Ultra Heavy Hoodie. 

For workwear hoodies, printing the job title or simply ‘staff’ on the back is a great identifier, and is particularly popular with event staff. You could also print or embroider your logo on the back or front, depending on your preference. Print often creates a bolder look, and is recommended if you want to give your employee uniform a ‘fun’ or standout look, while embroidery is considered more formal, premium and professional. 

Personalised Gilets/Bodywarmers

On particularly cold days, a personalised gilet or bodywarmer can be layered over the main uniform, allowing employees to warm up while still displaying your company logo. These are a better safety-compliant option than many other coats, fitting closely and snugly to the body. 

Personalised Waterproof Work Trousers

Rain is also much more likely in autumn and winter, with lower temperatures making wet clothes even more uncomfortable and unpleasant than they would be in the summer months. That’s why we recommend heavy-duty, full-length waterproof work trousers as part of any winter uniform to keep employees comfortable and dry when working in the rain. 

Winter Workwear Accessories

Accessories can be a nice addition to your winter workwear offering. One popular choice is the beanie hat. As this hat fits closely to the head and doesn’t have potentially hazardous elements hanging off it, unlike a bobble hat, it’s a great choice for a range of outdoor workers. Just add your logo or business name to the front with embroidery. Your employee may even use their branded beanie to stay snug outside of work, too, offering you extra promotion. 

Another excellent option is a snood. This is a good practical replacement for a scarf, as scarves aren’t typically workwear-appropriate because of their loose, dangly fabric. A personalised snood can also be pulled up to cover the lower face and nose for additional protection from the cold. 

Ready to build a customised winter workwear uniform complete with your unique logo and branding? Browse our personalised workwear collection today or contact us to discuss your needs further. 

For help with your order, see our online ordering guide.

To understand the cost of your winter workwear, see our pricing guide.