The professional clothing industry is undergoing a significant transformation as workplaces become increasingly diverse in gender, body shape, and physical needs. Traditional “unisex” garments, once promoted as universal solutions, are now being questioned for their inability to properly accommodate the realities of human body proportions. Through the lens of end-user health and safety, garment manufacturers have an important responsibility to rethink the design of uniforms, workwear, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Inclusive proportional design is no longer simply about comfort or aesthetics; it is directly linked to safety, confidence, mobility, and employee well-being.
According to the Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW®), the modern workforce reflects a broader range of body shapes and identities than ever before, especially as participation in historically male-dominated industries continues to grow. This demographic shift has exposed a major flaw in the long-standing reliance on unisex garments: many of these designs are actually based on traditionally male body measurements, leaving other wearers unsupported and, in some cases, unsafe.
The Problem with “Unisex” Design
One of the key findings from the PCIAW® Inclusive Design Round Table was that garments labelled as “unisex” often fail to provide a truly inclusive fit. Participants explained that many unisex garments are constructed around male body proportions, including broader shoulders, narrower hips, and flatter chest measurements. While these garments may technically fit a range of people, they often fail to function properly for wearers with different body proportions.
For workers with wider hips or larger busts, poorly proportioned garments can restrict movement, create pressure points, and compromise comfort during long shifts. Oversized garments may also create operational hazards. The round table highlighted examples where ill-fitting uniforms obscured workers’ views of their hands or feet or became tripping hazards due to excess fabric. In environments where safety is critical, such as construction, emergency services, or manufacturing, these issues can increase the likelihood of workplace accidents.
The discussion also stressed that poorly designed PPE can fail to provide adequate protection. One example referenced body armour, where a fit designed for cisgender men may not distribute the pressure of ballistic impact correctly across a cisgender woman’s body. This demonstrates that fit is not merely a matter of preference; it can directly influence physical safety and injury prevention.
Garment Manufacturers and the Responsibility of Inclusive Fit
As garment manufacturers occupy a central position in the value chain, they play a critical role in ensuring that end-users are protected and supported. Manufacturers are responsible not only for creating garments that meet technical standards, but also for ensuring those garments function effectively across diverse body shapes and physical requirements.
The round table discussions suggested that manufacturers should move away from the “one-size-fits-all” approach and instead offer garments in multiple fit categories. Rather than treating one body type as the default, manufacturers can create proportional designs that specifically accommodate broader shoulders, wider hips, varying bust measurements, and different waist-to-hip ratios.
This shift does not necessarily require heavily gendered language. Participants noted that assigning garments rigidly to “male” or “female” categories can alienate wearers who find a better fit outside the garments associated with their gender identity. Instead, manufacturers are encouraged to adopt neutral terminology focused on fit profiles rather than gender labels. This approach improves inclusivity while allowing workers to choose garments that suit their body shape and comfort needs.
Stretch Fabrics and Adaptive Construction
One of the most practical solutions discussed by industry professionals was the increased use of stretch fabrics and adaptive garment construction. Participants agreed that stretch materials consistently outperform rigid fabrics in wearer comfort and movement flexibility.
Stretch fabrics help accommodate differences in bust, waist, and hip measurements without forcing workers into oversized garments that compromise safety. By improving flexibility and movement, these materials reduce physical strain and allow garments to adapt to a wider range of body shapes. This is particularly important in active professions requiring bending, lifting, reaching, or repetitive movement.
Adaptive construction techniques also provide manufacturers with new opportunities to improve inclusivity. The round table explored features such as adjustable waistbands, modular garment panels, and strategically placed stretch zones. These innovations allow garments to accommodate body fluctuations caused by pregnancy, menopause, or natural physical diversity while maintaining a professional appearance.
Importantly, adaptive construction also benefits manufacturers commercially. By broadening fit tolerance, stretch garments reduce the number of size variations companies must stock, helping address the challenge of minimum order quantities (MOQs) and warehouse management. This demonstrates that inclusive design can improve both wearer satisfaction and manufacturing efficiency.
Health, Confidence, and Psychological Safety
The relationship between clothing fit and psychological well-being was another major theme within the discussions. Ill-fitting garments can negatively affect confidence, self-esteem, and workplace inclusion. This is particularly relevant for workers experiencing body changes during pregnancy or menopause, where discomfort and visibility of body changes may already create emotional stress.
The round table highlighted that many workers undergoing menopause experience bloating, weight fluctuations, and temperature sensitivity. Tight or rigid garments can intensify physical discomfort and make employees feel self-conscious about their appearance. Manufacturers, therefore, have a responsibility to incorporate looser fits, stretch fabrics, and adjustable components that allow garments to adapt comfortably to changing bodies.
Inclusive proportional design also contributes to dignity and emotional well-being. In Round Table 2, one manufacturer explained that their goal was to create adaptive clothing that looked visually identical to the standard uniform range so employees would feel fully integrated with their colleagues. This demonstrates how thoughtful design can reduce stigma while supporting workers with diverse physical needs.
Wearer Trials and Real-World Feedback
A recurring recommendation across both round tables was the importance of involving diverse end-users in the design process. Manufacturers cannot fully understand how garments interact with different body proportions unless they actively test products on a wide variety of wearers.
Wearer trials allow manufacturers to identify practical issues related to mobility, visibility, pressure points, and safety risks before garments enter large-scale production. They also provide valuable insights into how garments affect worker confidence, comfort, and emotional well-being. By listening directly to wearers with different body shapes, manufacturers can create more functional and inclusive garments that genuinely support workplace safety.
The Future of Proportional Design
The discussions within the PCIAW® round tables make it clear that the future of professional clothing lies in proportional, adaptive, and inclusive design. The era of relying on standardised unisex garments is becoming increasingly outdated as industries recognise the diversity of modern workforces and the risks associated with poor fit.
For garment manufacturers, the challenge is balancing inclusivity with commercial realities such as stock management and production costs. However, many participants agreed that investing in inclusive design now positions companies as leaders in a rapidly evolving market. As demand for inclusive workwear continues to grow, manufacturers who prioritise end-user health and safety will likely gain both competitive and reputational advantages.
Ultimately, proportional design is about more than tailoring garments to different body shapes. It is about ensuring every worker feels safe, supported, and respected in their workplace. By acknowledging the realities of bust, waist, and hip proportions and moving beyond restrictive unisex models, garment manufacturers can create clothing that protects workers physically while empowering them psychologically. Inclusive professional clothing is not simply a design trend; it is an essential step toward safer and more equitable workplaces for everyone.
