NEW YORK—With the increasing segmentation and niche carving by hotels to introduce new brands, brand extensions and lifestyle lodging products, it’s no wonder uniform apparel now runs the gamut from traditional to street style. A wealth of choices comes from apparel designers, manufacturers and suppliers to meet the ever-changing looks that have increasingly taken to following consumer fashion trends.
While fashion flair in uniforms may be a key element among modern providers, the classic necessity of durability, ease of care, flexibility and comfort remain hallmarks of hotel uniform programs. No doubt, uncomfortable uniformed staff—no matter how chic the outfit they are wearing—are not concentrating 100 percent on delivering the best guest experience possible.
Suppliers and manufacturers recognize this and according to Michelle Dortch, senior apparel designer at Cintas Corp., ensuring comfort combines well with style is the overall trend.
“Hotel apparel is becoming more casual-looking and comfortable while still appearing very fashionable and professional,” said Dortch. “Lightweight sweaters and sweater vests, which create a really sharp, layered look when paired with other garments, make a great alternative for properties that want to look professional without relying on suits. In addition, both men’s and women’s work-wear pieces are tailored to give a slimming illusion this season. Drainpipe pants and pencil skirts elongate women’s figures to create thin silhouettes. Men’s pants are cut to be more slimming and can be accentuated with blazers cut away from the body.”
Among the color palettes popular this season, said Dortch, are gray and chocolate hues (such as charcoal and mocha), which she noted provide “relief” from the usual black-suit/white-shirt option. “Bright tones such as teal, curry and red bring a lively splash of color to hotel properties, and lighter suiting in shades of stone and oyster are an ideal alternative for the resort market,” she noted.
Details also are important. Peaked lapels—which describes when the folded flaps in front of suit jackets or coats point up and out just below the collar line—are making a comeback, said Dortch. “Satin lapels and single-button closures make the peak especially fresh this season.”
Additionally, men’s ties are becoming smaller, with a width of 1.5 to 2 inches, which Dortch considers an “excellent and polished choice” for banquet and foodservice employees.
And for those who think the sea of solids needs some “relief,” Dortch observed “small doses of print” can be seen throughout the hospitality industry. “This includes small neckerchiefs for women in floral and geometric prints. Subtle plaids and jacquard patterns also bring desired texture and depth.”
Tao Freedom of the Body apparel company, based in Brooklyn, NY, provides uniforms as eclectic as its name.
Co-founded by Dorothy Szeto-Luke and Clare Cook, Tao’s collection of ‘non-uniform’ uniforms is made from fabrics that are lightweight yet functional and are designed to be comfortable in tropical resorts or winter resorts. Most lines are developed from Meryl and Tactel nylon fibers—materials described as durable and soft. The lightweight man-made fabrics also contain antibacterial properties.
Tao Freedom also introduced an Aloe Vera line, a fabrication that contains Aloe Vera encapsulated within the material. Tao does not use cotton or polyester in its collection.
Many of the pieces in the collection may be worn in multiple ways, creating flexibility within a wardrobe program. The ability to move easily while wearing the garments also is a key focus for the Tao design team, and Tao has spent time talking with hotel staffs to see what it is they want in their uniform apparel.
“They want something that’s comfortable, chic and makes them feel great going to work in it,” said Cook.
Tao Freedom, which originally started as a fashion-design company, has been creating uniform programs for about six years. “We have embraced the uniform aspect of our business and find it was the right decision at the right time, even in these economically challenging times,” said Cook, who noted the executives wanted to bring an even stronger voice and more designs to the industry. “We set up focus groups with professionals within the spa and hospitality industries and studied the research. We identified how best to guide our business and found that there is a need for non-uniform looks and that we needed to fine-tune our collection. There’s also a need for styles that compliment all body shapes and sizes. Making staff feel good in what they wear is a key aspect to our brand. We applied this information and are enhancing our production, fabrics and collection offerings. This enhancement will complement our current collection and better serve our clients’ needs.”
As to trends, Cook acknowledged, “There is always going to be a need for traditional uniforms; this is a given. That being said, we are hearing of the need for a less-formal approach with uniform styles that need to move with demanding physical activity.”
Cook stressed fabrication will continue to be important, with high-tech fabrics needing to look “as good at the end of the day as they did in the morning,” and with strong wearability.
“A unique trend we are experiencing is what we call a softening in the industry,” said Cook. “And by softening, we mean in color and style: moving toward soft, white and earth tones as opposed to stark white. And relaxed, non-structured, non-business styles that make the wearer look and feel professional and stylish at the same time.”
Cook added Tao Freedom of the Body also is in the process of creating a strategic alliance that “will increase our outreach to the hospitality industry as well as our core spa industry base. We will be announcing this alliance in the coming year.”