Workwear 101: Top 18 Industry Trends

What to know about what to wear

Difficult jobs require workwear that can keep up. Whatever your job, from construction to healthcare, your clothes should meet the demands of your occupation and keep you comfortable and safe. There are many options and factors to consider, so we’ve assembled this guide to modern workwear trends to help you out.

Construction workwear

Construction is a demanding job. Heavy equipment, dangerous environments, loud noises and sharp tools all pose hazards for construction workers. Construction workwear should meet occupational regulatory standards, provide basic protection against accident or injury on the job site and ideally offer comfort and support over long hours spent working a physically demanding job. That’s a lot for an outfit to tackle. Luckily, there are clothes made specifically to meet these challenges.

1. High-visibility clothing

Often bright yellow or orange in color, “hi-vis” clothing also often features a reflective strip that shines brightly even in the dark. Hi-vis clothing helps keep the wearer safe by helping them to stay visible on the job site. 

2. Construction work pants

Construction work pants are for when your ordinary khakis and jeans just won’t get it done. Often made of denim or cotton duck fabric, and possibly with synthetic fabric woven in, construction work pants typically offer greater strength, freedom of movement and resistance to ripping or tearing. Some modern workwear pants will have extra panels sewn in for greater durability or extra pockets for carrying tools.  

3. Construction work boots

Work boots for construction workers are often made of leather for enhanced durability, with thick, puncture-resistant soles. You can also purchase work boots with a steel toe cap, to protect from falling objects or crushing hazards on the job site.  

4. Construction work jacket

A workwear jacket should fit well and be suited for your activity. That means heavier for cold weather and lighter for warm. Weather resistance helps if you frequently work in the rain. Also look for durable zippers or reinforced seams for added longevity.

For more construction workwear advice, read A Guide to Construction Work Wear: Pants, Boots, Jackets & More.

Healthcare workwear

Healthcare workwear needs to be easily identifiable, should protect against infection to keep workers safe and be durable to stand up to long shifts. Here are a few other considerations when it comes to healthcare clothing:

5. Color 

Color for healthcare clothing isn’t just a stylistic choice, it can serve a practical purpose. Some healthcare organizations use color to signify rank. Doctors may wear one color, and nurses or administrators another.

6. Pockets 

From medical tools to medicines, a flashlight, a smartphone and more, your hands can literally be full as you make your rounds. And you don’t always have time to run back and forth, grabbing extra items. Having proper pockets on your clothing can help you stay organized. 

7. Affordability 

Your workwear is going to wear out. It shouldn’t cost a fortune to replace it. 

To learn more, read 7 Top Considerations to Prioritize for Professional Healthcare Uniforms.

Scrub shoes for nurses & doctors

Your shoes are just as important as your workwear. As a healthcare worker, you’re often on your feet for long hours, and when an emergency occurs, you have to move fast. So having the right shoes can make a huge difference.

Here are some factors to consider when buying scrub shoes:

8. Support

Doctors and nurses often work 8- to 12-hour shifts or longer. You’ll want a shoe that’s comfortable over a long period and provides the heel and ankle support you need when you’re on your feet all day. But be sure to balance support with weight. A heavy shoe might slow you down after several hours.

9. Slip resistance

Hospitals can be dangerous places. If liquids are on the ground, you’ll want a shoe that provides slip resistance. 

10. Cost

You may want multiple pairs of shoes, so cost is an important factor to consider. Quality shoes may be expensive, so be sure you’re getting the best value by shopping around and doing a little research.

For more tips on finding the right shoes, read: A Guide to Scrub Shoes for Nurses & Doctors.

Chef uniforms

Long hours, uncomfortable environments, sharp tools and hot ovens make kitchens challenging and dangerous workplaces. You’ll want to outfit your chefs with clothing that will keep them comfortable and safe.

Here are some things to consider when choosing chef uniforms:

11. Comfort

Chefs work long hours, carry heavy things, work with sharp tools and lean forward when they cook and clean. You’ll want to outfit them with clothes that will enhance, not detract from, their comfort.

12. Breathability

Between warm ovens, hot stovetops and busy dishwashers, kitchens can get hot. This makes it important that chefs’ workwear is light and breathable so that they can stay cool and focused.

13. Functionality

Pockets for carrying around utensils and notebooks and front-facing buttons and drawstrings are especially useful on chefs’ clothing.

14. Durability

Anything you wear every day is going to wear out quickly, especially when you work in a kitchen. Spills and accidents happen and can take their toll on clothing. You’ll want uniforms that last.

15. Safety

Between working with knives and hot ovens to dealing with the occasional spill, the kitchen can be a dangerous place. Smart workwear should help protect your chefs to ensure they don’t get hurt.

To learn more about selecting chef uniforms, read: How to Choose the Best Chef Uniforms.

Restaurant uniform trends

Classics, like the white chef coat, never go out of style. But today’s restauranteurs have a lot of choices when it comes to functional workwear. From color to function, restaurants today are mixing and matching to build uniforms that surprise and delight, just as much as their food. 

Here are some of the top restaurant uniform trends:

16. Streamlined shoes 

Simple slip-on clogs are the most popular shoes among chefs for good reason: they’re comfortable, easy to get on and off, don’t have laces that can get in the way and be a trip hazard and their soles tend to be slip-resistant, making them a safe choice.

17. Bold colors 

While the classic white-for-cooks and black-for-servers style is still popular, restauranteurs today have many more choices. Chefs’ workwear now comes in a variety of colors and even prints, so you can choose the style that fits the theme of your business.

18. Customized branding

While you’re at it, you can customize your team’s look even further with custom branding. A simple branded T-shirt might work for a casual eatery, or you can embroider a collared shirt or chef’s coat for a more upscale look. 

For more trends, read Top 5 Restaurant Uniform Trends for 2024: What You Need to Know.

Outfit your business with Walmart Business

Whether you’re suiting up your first employees or updating the look of an established team, Walmart Business has the workwear you need at prices you can afford. Already have an account? Upgrade to Walmart Business+ to save over $500/year and enjoy exclusive rewards for your organization,¹ plus get free shipping, no order minimum,² free delivery from the store with a $35 minimum order³ and earn 2% in Walmart Business Rewards on orders $250 or more.⁴

¹ Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business Rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).

² Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

³ Restrictions apply. 

⁴ Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply.