The Problem With Unisex Workwear for Female Staff
For too long, women in workplaces have been handed the same garments as their male colleagues — unisex fits designed primarily for male body proportions. The result is workwear that’s boxy, ill-fitting, and uncomfortable. Staff feel less professional, less confident, and less positive about their uniform.
At Customised Workwear, we stock women’s-specific workwear fits across our full range. Here’s why it matters and how to order correctly for your female team members.
The Difference Between Unisex and Women’s Workwear Cuts
Women’s workwear is cut to accommodate different shoulder proportions, a more defined waist, and a longer torso-to-hip ratio than unisex garments. A women’s polo shirt sits differently on the body — it’s not baggy across the chest, it doesn’t billow at the waist, and it maintains a professional silhouette without being restrictive.
For customer-facing roles in particular, the difference in appearance is significant. A well-fitting women’s polo communicates the same professional standard as a well-fitting men’s polo. A boxy unisex garment on a female team member undermines that standard through no fault of the wearer.
Getting the Sizing Right for Women’s Workwear
Women’s workwear sizing follows different conventions from menswear. The key measurements are chest (bust), waist, and hip. For most polo shirts and t-shirts, the chest measurement is the primary sizing driver. For fitted styles, waist measurement is equally important.
Always reference the specific garment’s size chart rather than assuming that a women’s M is a consistent size. Different brands use different base measurements for their women’s size ladders.
Our workwear shop includes full women’s size charts for every garment we stock. All women’s garments are available with the same embroidery options as the corresponding men’s styles.
Matching Men’s and Women’s Styles in the Same Team
Many businesses order both men’s and women’s styles for a mixed team, with matching colours and identical embroidery. This approach creates visual team consistency while ensuring every team member has a garment that fits correctly. It’s our standard recommendation for any team with a mix of male and female staff.
Our workwear bundles include matched men’s and women’s options across all key garment categories. Contact us to discuss specifying a mixed-fit workwear order for your team.