Uniform Blues Getting Brits Down?

Online, November 2, 2009 (Newswire.com) - If we spend up to 136 days* of our lifetime getting ready for a big night out, it's not surprising that Brits feel let down by our work uniforms. Tired, itchy, and in some cases downright impractical, many of us deal with the daily humiliation of unflattering clobber for well over two thirds of our life. According to Clothes2Order, it's time for working Britain to rise up, unite, and push employers into the 21 century.
The company is running a national campaign - LoveUniform - for unhappy workers to expose the employers responsible for giving us Brits a reputation for poor dress sense. To take part, people should take a photo of themselves or their friends wearing their uniform and send it to [email protected]. Campaigners for the uniform revolution can see the best and the worst at Flickr/Clothes2Order, join in the debate at Twitter/Love Uniform and become a fan on Facebook/Love Uniform Competition.

A judging panel will take the public's voice in to account when deciding which company needs a rescue makeover and, as part of its commitment to a better dressed Britain, Clothes2Order will provide style guidance and £500 towards the cost. "With people spending so much of their time at work, uniform plays an important role in people's lives," comments Michael Conway, founder and managing director at Clothes2order.com. "Our campaign is designed to raise awareness of this and encourage employers to ensure that workers are comfortable, as well as stylish in the workplace."
Not everyone hates the idea of a uniform - it re-enforces a brand if done well, and many of us assume uniforms and professional service go hand in hand. Clothes2Order.com is also running a survey on where you can vote for your favourite uniform from 15 well known brands including, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco, M&S, Boots, Pizza Hut, MacDonalds, Dominoes Pizza, Butlins, BA, Virgin, easyJet, AA and the RAC. Simply click on the brand you would like to win at www.clothes2order.com/uniformsurvey.php

*Skinbliss Survey, Aug 2008

Uniform U Turns
• Feb 2009: 500 blouses sent to female staff on the National Express London to Edinburgh rail route were returned after their union complained the garments were "too thin and too cheap" not to mention practically "see-through".
• Jan 2007: Following a highly publicised row involving a check-in worker who wore a cross on chain to work, British Airways announced it was making its uniform rules more flexible and staff now *could* wear symbols of faith around their neck.
• Sept 2009: Ergon Energy had to rethink its new uniform when workers logged more than 143 health and safety complaints following severe reactions to a new and 'improved' flame retardant version. Blisters and vomiting were the main symptoms.

ENDS

About Clothes2Order
Established in 2003, Clothes2order.com is part of The Quayside Group, a rapidly growing online supplier of wholesale and retail clothing with an average growth rate of over 68 per cent per year, for the last three years. Clothes2order.com provides a range of printed and embroidered clothing for workwear, promotions and events. Clothes2order.com's investment in the latest digital printing technology ensures it can smash industry standard lead times whilst offering no minimum order quantity, remaining cost effective for both small and large orders of uniforms, promotional and event clothing.
Clothes2order.com is based in Manchester and was founded by entrepreneurs, Michael Conway and Debra Hutchings. For further information please visit www.clothes2order.com.

For further information please contact:
Elizabeth West / Dana Corson
Ascent PR
Tel: 0161 830 4720
[email protected]