AILEEN’S UNIFORM ATLAS
The Pulse is pleased to present Aileen’s Uniform Atlas, a recurring feature written by Aileen Out.
Out is the owner of Prettybusiness, a news blog in the Netherlands that focuses exclusively on work clothing.
The staff at Transport for London (TfL) has received new uniforms. The primary goal of the new collection is to improve visibility for passengers, but it also represents a step forward in terms of diversity.
New Design Aims to Enhance Visibility
The previous collection was introduced in 2015 and was designed by the London-based design firm Hemingway Design. The new design is essentially an update of the previous collection.
One of the main objectives was to make the horizontal line with the circle in the middle—known as the “roundel” logo—more visible. The idea behind this is to make staff easier to identify, even for visually impaired passengers.
To achieve this, the new uniforms feature more prominent and clearly displayed logos. Roundels are now also visible on accessories such as hats, scarves, and ties. Additionally, instead of using a wide range of colors and details, the design now focuses on just three colors: white, mid-blue, and dark blue. The simpler design makes staff more immediately recognizable.
Diversity 2.0
The update goes beyond aesthetics; it also takes inclusivity to the next level. For example, the fabric selection now considers employees going through menopause. A viscose blend has been chosen to help reduce symptoms like hot flashes and dry, itchy skin. Additional items have also been added to the collection, such as headscarves and vegan alternatives to leather belts and shoes. In keeping with vegan principles, no animal-derived materials are used in these items.
Transport for London is following a trend increasingly seen in the workwear industry, where inclusivity is becoming as important as sustainability. While headscarves have been included in uniform packages for some time, there is now greater attention to menopause-related needs as well.
Considering that an estimated one-third of British women are currently experiencing menopause symptoms, it makes perfect sense to address this in workwear. However, there are still workplaces where no women’s workwear is offered at all, as I mentioned in my previous column. This stark contrast highlights the disparities within the workwear industry.
Inclusivity as a Legal Requirement
This approach may not only be inclusive but could also be a way for TfL to prepare for the future. This month, U.S. laws governing PPE in construction were amended to account for the individual needs of the wearer. Similarly, discussions are underway in British politics about comparable regulations.
It would not be surprising if taking personal circumstances into account in workwear became not just a luxury in the future, but a legal requirement. In that case, offering vegan or menopause-friendly clothing may be a necessity. While we are already seeing more and more companies adopting menopause-friendly policies, vegan clothing and accessories is a bit trickier. Do you develop a separate line or, like TfL, do you limit yourself to accessories? Or will vegan clothing lines be the only ones chosen as a precaution?
Transport for London need not worry for now. They are already ahead of their time.
