WILMINGTON, MA () – When Henry Ford started manufacturing cars using the assembly line, he said customers could have any color Model T they wanted… as long as it was black. Similarly, his workers could choose any kind of work uniforms they wanted… as long as they were made of 100 percent cotton fabric.
During the first half of the 20th century, through the 1950s, workers had virtually no choice when it came to the fabrics used in their uniforms. It was cotton or nothing. And while cotton was generally considered comfortable, it was not very durable; wrinkled easily, soiled quickly, and dried slowly when wet.
But things began to change during the “rebellious” 1960s, when consumers demanded more comfort from their personal clothing. That decade would mark the beginning of an ongoing commercial revolution in fabrics – many of which would weave their way into the uniforms worn by workers everywhere.
Consumer demand for improved fabrics during “The Sixties” dovetailed with research efforts made during previous decades, when chemists experimented with plant cellulous, petrochemicals, and even specialized alcohols to synthesize filaments in test tubes. It was hoped that resulting new fibers could create fabrics to rival cotton for softness, and outperform it with respect to breathability (comfort) and durability.
These early research efforts set the stage for a shift away from workwear made of 100 percent cotton. “If there was a period in the textile services industry we could point to as the turning point for fabric choices it would be the 1960s,” says Adam Soreff, Director of Marketing at UniFirst, a leading provider of uniforms and workwear to businesses throughout the U.S. and Canada. “That’s when the uniform supply industry moved toward adopting man-made fibers for fabrics to improve overall comfort and functionality in work shirts and pants.”
Two of the first artificial fibers to emerge for commercial textile use were Rayon® and nylon, which were made from plant cellulose and petrochemicals, respectively. Both were touted for their strength and abrasion resistance, which made them attractive to workers in high soil industries. “Cotton was still king,” Soreff says, “but this was when uniform providers began incorporating nylon outerwear, specifically jackets and pants, into their offerings.”
During the 1970s, as workers became increasingly accustomed to synthetic clothing, they demanded even more comfort in work shirts and pants. As a result, apparel manufacturers responded with a new “miracle fabric” called polyester. Polyester fabric is made from petroleum-based products and had actually been available since the 1940s. But, it was now becoming widely embraced by clothing manufacturers to provide customers with apparel that was not only comfortable and durable, but had revolutionary “wash and wear” characteristics and “wrinkle-free” convenience. Polyester fashions would become omnipresent during the 1970s (particularly on the “disco era” dance floors).
Such wholesale demand for polyester fabrics led leading uniform suppliers like UniFirst to begin offering uniform shirts and pants using polyester/cotton blends. “In hindsight, it was a ‘perfect marriage,’” says UniFirst’s Soreff, “the combination of the two fabrics provided workers with the best of both worlds-apparel that was breathable and comfortable, plus very durable and resistant to wrinkles and stains.”
Early polyester, however, could be uncomfortably hot to wear for lengthy periods of time. That shortcoming challenged researchers who, during the 1980s, began to investigate spun polyester for commercial use. Spun polyester threads are made by spinning or twisting together shorter lengths of polyester fibers-similar to the way cotton threads are made. As a result, spun polyester threads look and feel more like cotton, but provide superior strength, moisture wicking, and durability.
Spun poly proved a success with retail consumers throughout the 1980s, and the textile industry widely embraced it during the 1990s-2000s-particularly in more casual workwear, such as polo shirts, which were sought after by businesses focused on corporate image. Says Soreff: “Adding spun poly apparel to UniFirst’s offerings helped us fulfill our mission to always offer the latest uniforming options available-reflecting the most important garment features and benefits as defined by our customers.”
During the 1990s, the athletic wear industry sprinted to the forefront of the fabric innovation race by introducing popular lines of “performance apparel.” Following close on their heels, were a number of progressive work apparel manufacturers who began introducing uniform clothing made from “microfibers”-polyester fibers that are 1/100th the diameter of a human hair. Besides being soft and durable, microfiber excelled at wicking moisture away from the body to keep wearers cool and dry.
Today, a wide range of synthetic fabrics can be found in all types of work apparel, from corporate casual wear to the most demanding industrial settings (where poly/cotton blends continue to be a favorite).
As UniFirst‘s Soreff notes, “We offer a large selection of shirts, pants, and more in hundreds of styles, colors, and fabric options. But the 65/35 poly/cotton combination is still the most popular because of its versatility to meet the needs of so many industries, as well as its overall comfort, function, easy-of-care… and price point.”
If Henry Ford were around today, he’d likely be driving in circles trying to select the best uniform fabrics for his work crews. Thankfully there are experts at uniform suppliers like UniFirst to help you decide.
About UniFirst
UniFirst (NYSE: UNF), a North American leader in the supply and servicing of uniforms, workwear, and protective clothing, outfits more than 1.5 million workers each business day. The company’s most popular brands include UniWeave®, SofTwill®, UniWear®, and Armorex FR®. UniFirst also offers Facility Service programs including floor mats, mops, and restroom products. For more information, contact UniFirst at 888-292-3214 or visit unifirst.com.
