This article is the first part of a two-part series examining the conclusions of the PCIAW® Inclusive Design Round Tables held in 2024. The Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW®) hosted the Designing Inclusive Professional Clothing Round Table sessions in 2024, bringing together uniform buyers, manufacturers, and inclusion specialists to explore how professional clothing can better serve increasingly diverse workforces while maintaining safety standards and commercial viability. This first article focuses on the technological innovations and design solutions addressing the needs of women, cultural and religious considerations, and support for employees experiencing life changes such as pregnancy and menopause.
The global workforce has undergone significant changes in recent decades, with workplace demographics now reflecting greater diversity in gender, background, and disability. Women made up 40.1% of the global workforce in 2023, with the European average reaching 46.4%. Additionally, 8.7% of the UK workforce lives with a disability, while approximately one in seven people have some form of neurodifference.
These changes are most noticeable in traditionally male-dominated sectors. Women now make up 16% of construction workers in the UK, highlighting the inadequacies of existing workwear and PPE historically designed for male bodies. Recent studies show 37% of women aged 40-60 experiencing menopause are considering leaving their jobs due to symptoms, underscoring the urgent need for inclusive design solutions.
The Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW®) launched the Designing Inclusive Professional Clothing Round Table in 2024. These discussions brought together uniform buyers, manufacturers, and inclusion specialists to explore how professional clothing can better serve diverse workforces while maintaining safety standards and commercial viability.
Supporting Staff with Advanced Fabric Technologies
One of the most impactful changes designers can make is greater use of stretch fabrics. Participants unanimously agreed that stretch garments consistently outperformed non-stretch options in wearer comfort, broadening fit tolerance while reducing the number of sizes companies need to stock.
Recent innovations in fabric technology have proven particularly successful in addressing comfort and confidence issues. Manufacturers detailed their implementation of anti-microbial finishes, temperature-regulating materials, and moisture-wicking fabrics that actively maintain comfort while addressing concerns about odour control—a significant source of anxiety for many workers.
Layering systems that allow wearers to adjust clothing throughout the day have proven especially valuable for individuals experiencing temperature sensitivity. The key to successful modular approaches is ensuring all layers maintain professional appearance while offering practical functionality, giving employees freedom to adjust to their particular needs without compromising their professional image.
Cultural and Religious Considerations
Cultural considerations formed a major theme of discussions, with organisations sharing approaches to providing inclusive options. One international airline described their comprehensive development process for custom modesty wear that maintains brand aesthetic while meeting staff’s religious requirements through close collaboration with their diverse workforce.
However, significant challenges emerged when discussing protective equipment, particularly head coverings that must comply with safety standards while accommodating religious needs. Limited availability of certified protective wear designed with cultural sensitivity presents ongoing challenges, though some manufacturers are developing fire-resistant materials suitable for modest clothing options while working to meet safety certifications.
Manufacturers are expanding safety ranges with items like hi-vis turbans and hijabs, and even arc-flash and fire-resistant hijabs. Loose-fitting modesty garments are increasingly in demand in the uniform sector, providing appropriate branded options that enable people to integrate into industries without compromising their beliefs.
Maternity Wear Solutions
Innovation in maternity wear is becoming increasingly important as more women work through pregnancy. Participants shared success stories of developing maternity sizes across product ranges, particularly in emergency services. Modular interchangeable pieces can functionally increase garment size, adapting to different pregnancy stages and postpartum periods.
These systems provide better fit and protection while offering better value by extending garment usable life rather than stocking multiple sizes. When pregnant employees have access to professional, comfortable, and stylish maternity uniforms, it significantly boosts their confidence and job satisfaction.
Menopause Support Through Design
Menopause emerged as a crucial focus, with participants highlighting how thoughtful uniform design can significantly impact staff retention and workplace comfort. One workplace health specialist provided powerful insights: “When someone is experiencing a hot flush, their anxiety levels increase dramatically. What they don’t want is to be concerned about visible sweat marks or obvious signs of what they’re experiencing.”
Manufacturers described implementing innovative solutions including advanced moisture-wicking fabrics in standard ranges and strategic ventilation panels cleverly concealed within traditional designs. One major retailer transformed their employees’ experience by removing traditional scarves and ties and introducing cooling fabric technologies—beneficial not just for those experiencing menopause but for their entire workforce.
Menopause can affect individuals at earlier ages, challenging traditional assumptions about who needs support. Some experience premature menopause in their thirties, while others have medically induced menopause. This broader understanding has led to more comprehensive implementation of adaptable clothing solutions supporting workers through life stages.
Cooling innovations like moisture-wicking fabrics and breathable textiles are particularly beneficial, allowing more heat to be expelled while cooling wearers. Adaptable layering systems with removable linings, strategically placed vents, and easily adjustable fastenings enable temperature adjustment without compromising professional appearance.
Cut and fit are also key elements, with looser fits in certain areas, adjustable waistbands, and stretch fabrics accommodating body changes during menopause. With 74.4% of women in menopause suffering from low self-esteem, ensuring uniforms fit well and provide support during emotionally difficult times is crucial.
Conclusion
As the workforce becomes increasingly diverse, those responsible for providing uniforms and PPE must adapt out of respect for staff and their safety. Every employee should have the right to a uniform that fits their needs, regardless of gender, age, or disability status. The challenge lies in creating professional clothing solutions that accommodate diverse staff needs while maintaining the highest standards of safety and functionality.
The second article in this series will explore fit-focused design, disability accommodations, neurodiversity considerations, and the commercial challenges of implementing inclusive workwear solutions.
