Choosing professional attire for hospitality: our tips for combining elegance, style and safety

Even though the saying goes that “clothes do not make the man,” the opposite is generally true in the professional world, where adopting a dress code conveys the opposite message. At a glance, workwear or a uniform often enables us to identify its wearer’s profession because of its symbolic significance. Indicating a role, conveying a sense of belonging or protecting the people who wear them, work clothes play an essential role for both businesses and their employees.

In this new article, Shoes For Crews experts look at professional hospitality attire, a service sector in which employees are in direct and constant contact with customers. How should you choose it? Discover their tips! 

What does the law say about professional attire in hospitality?

Article L. 1121-1 of the French Labour Code guarantees employees’ freedom regarding dress. However, the employer may require them to wear clothing suited to their work environment if the nature of the task to be performed justifies it, whether for safety, hygiene or image reasons. This is notably the case in hospitality professions, where it is common to see teams wearing clothing in their establishment’s colours.

It should also be noted that, under the same regulations, if the employer requires the use of professional attire, they are responsible for providing it.

Why is wearing professional attire in hospitality recommended?

Several reasons support the adoption of uniforms in establishments within this sector.

• Brand image : the uniform is an integral part of the elements that convey a company’s brand image, as the employees wearing it are its representatives and, very often, the customer’s first and only point of contact. Making a good impression by conveying a serious image and standing out from competitors are the challenges involved in choosing elegant, professional service attire. 
• Sense of belonging to a community : the uniform conveys a collective professional identity. By adopting it, an individual joins a community that recognises them as one of its own. They can then more easily become an ambassador for their company.
• Hygiene : like the restaurant industry, the hospitality industry follows strict hygiene standards that wearing work clothing helps to meet.
• Comfort : workwear suited to the tasks to be performed supports employees in their movements and never restricts them.
• Safety : the hospitality and restaurant sector exposes its workforce to physical and chemical risks. As stated in Articles L4121-1 and subsequent articles of the French Labour Code, each employer is responsible for implementing a prevention policy aimed at tackling occupational risks at source in order to protect employees’ health. This notably involves wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes uniforms.

Our tips for choosing a uniform

Receptionists, housekeepers, waiters, head waiters, chefs, bartenders... The hospitality sector encompasses many professions. It is therefore normal for the professional attire  needed to equip employees to vary within the same establishment and adapt to a wide range of activities. To choose a uniform that will suit your teams, we recommend that you consider the following criteria:

• The workstation : different roles involve, on the one hand, more or less contact with customers and, on the other hand, expose employees to different risks. More elegant or more practical, the attire must be suited to the tasks to be performed.
• Climate and environmental conditions : provide clothing suited to the seasons and temperatures your employees are exposed to.
• Colours: black and white are the classic colours chosen by hospitality establishments to project a polished image to their customers. However, it is possible to opt for other, more contemporary shades associated with your establishment. Please avoid choosing garish or aggressive colours.
• Your establishment’s style : choose a recognisable design that sets you apart from your competitors while respecting your establishment’s dress code. As with colours, it is possible to choose contemporary and elegant attire.

Work shoes: the key item not to forget

Employees in the hospitality sector are among the professionals who spend most of their working time standing. Providing them with high-quality, comfortable shoes is essential to limit the strain caused by this posture. In addition to comfort, focus on safety-related features by choosing models with slip-resistant soles and, where appropriate, a toe cap.

A mark of professionalism, an establishment’s dress code is one of the images that remains in customers’ memories. If you are looking for work shoes to complete your uniform, we invite you to contact us to receive information on the different models in our catalogue. Ballet flats, lace-up shoes, smart trainers or safety shoes, we have the model that suits you.