Choosing the right fabric for working clothes is crucial to ensuring the comfort, safety, and durability of your garments. Here are a few things to consider when selecting fabric for your professional clothing:
1 – The nature of the professional activity: The choice of fabric will depend above all on the professional activity for which you need the clothing. If you work in an environment where there is a risk of cuts or punctures, you will need to choose fabrics that are resistant to these types of incidents. Similarly, if you work in very hot or cold conditions, you will need to choose fabrics that offer adequate thermal insulation. Finally, if you work in hazardous environments, you must comply with the standards in force for your daily protection. For example, choose a fire-resistant fabric for your EN 11612-compliant work pants.
2 – Breathability: If you work in environments where perspiration is inevitable, such as a workshop or warehouse, it is essential to choose a breathable fabric that allows air to circulate freely. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester can trap heat and perspiration, while natural fabrics such as cotton and linen are more breathable.
3 – Stain and tear resistance: Workwear is subject to harsh working conditions, which means it is often exposed to stains, tears, frequent washing, and abrasion. It is therefore important to choose fabrics that are resistant to these types of damage. Synthetic fabrics such as nylon or Cordura inserts are often used for their wear resistance, while denim fabrics are known for their stain resistance.
4 – Comfort: Comfort is also a key factor to consider when choosing the fabric for your work clothes, which you will be wearing every day for several hours. Soft, lightweight fabrics such as cotton, linen, or jersey (natural fibers) can offer optimal comfort throughout the day.
5 – Ease of care: Workwear must be washed and dried regularly to ensure it remains clean and hygienic. It is therefore important to choose fabrics that are easy to care for and clean. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester or nylon are often easier to care for than natural fabrics such as cotton or wool.
In summary, choosing the right fabric for your workwear is essential to ensure comfort, safety, and durability. This depends on several factors, each of which is important. Consider the type of work, breathability, stain and tear resistance, comfort, and ease of care when selecting the appropriate fabric.
THE DIFFERENT COMPOSITIONS OF WORKING CLOTHES
Workwear is designed to meet the specific needs of workers in different professions. The choice of fabric composition can have a significant impact on the quality, durability, and comfort of your work clothes.
Here is an overview of the different fabric compositions commonly used for workwear, with their advantages and disadvantages:
1 – Cotton: Cotton is a soft, breathable, and comfortable natural fiber that is often used for workwear. The advantages of cotton are its breathability, comfort, and ease of care. Disadvantages include its lack of resistance to stains and wear, as well as its tendency to shrink in the wash.
2 – Polyester: Polyester is a synthetic fabric that is resistant to wear, tear, and stains. It is often used in workwear for its durability and ease of care. The disadvantages of polyester include its lack of breathability and comfort in hot weather.
3 – Nylon: Nylon is also a synthetic fabric that is resistant to wear, tear, and stains. It is often used in workwear for its durability and weather resistance. The disadvantages of nylon include its tendency to retain heat and lack of breathability.
4 – Polyester-cotton blend: Workwear made primarily from polyester is five times more durable than cotton and has superior abrasion resistance. Poly/cotton workwear also dries quickly and creases less. However, it is not suitable for jobs where there is a risk of molten metal splashes and is less comfortable than cotton, cotton-polyester, or stretch fabrics.
5 – Cotton-polyester blend: Work clothes made mainly of cotton (65% or 67%) with the rest being polyester offer the advantage of being as comfortable as 100% cotton and also retain their color well in the wash. However, cotton fibers wear out faster than polyester fibers. Cotton-polyester garments are therefore less resistant to wear than polyester-cotton garments.
6 – Wool: Wool is a natural fiber that is often used in workwear for its insulating properties. Wool can offer protection against cold and moisture, but it is often more expensive than other fabrics and requires more delicate care.
7 – Viscose: Viscose fabrics are very durable and also have the advantage of retaining color well. They withstand repeated washing better than natural fibers, which can fade. For those of us in a hurry, this very fluid fabric is resistant to wrinkling and rarely needs ironing! Artificial viscose fibers do not absorb moisture or retain heat. They are therefore not suitable for winter clothing or technical sportswear and can be uncomfortable when you sweat.
8 – Kevlar: Kevlar is a synthetic fabric that is extremely resistant to cuts and punctures, making it a popular choice for workwear in high-risk industries. The disadvantages of Kevlar include its lack of breathability and high cost.
9 – Cordura (Wear Resistance & Durability): Cordura is a synthetic fiber that is extremely resistant to wear and tear, making it an ideal choice for workwear that must withstand heavy use. Workwear made with Cordura offers great durability and can therefore withstand heavy use for a long time. It is often used to reinforce work pants at key points such as the knees to prevent premature wear. Workwear made with Cordura can be more expensive and may retain moisture, which can make the garments heavier and uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time or in very hot environments.
10 – Stretch T400 (Elasticity & Shrinkability): This inherently elastic polyester fiber, often blended with cotton, offers two major advantages: its elasticity and shrinkability, which allow garments to retain their shape.
Its excellent resistance extends the life of garments, which is a considerable advantage in terms of sustainability. Finally, its unique structure also offers the added benefit of good moisture management, keeping wearers cool and dry in all circumstances.
Now a must-have for people who are constantly on the move in their jobs or simply because they appreciate its comfort, stretch fabric is now very common in workwear. Whether in mesh inserts, ribbing, as the main fabric, or in panels, you will find it in various forms in our clothing.
Molinel has opted for technical performance and comfort by selecting the best in terms of stretch: T400®.
You will find all the benefits of this fiber in products designed for the food service industry and workwear: in our Breaking Codes Authentic Chino pants, or in our entire Overmax range.
In conclusion, the choice of fabric composition for your work clothes will depend on your profession and the specific requirements of your job. Depending on your needs, you can choose the fabric composition that is best suited to your daily routine.
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