It’s easy to talk about workwear in terms of design and branding. But in practice, the choice of materials plays a major role in determining whether a garment works or not.
Fabric for Every Challenge - Made to Adapt
Functional materials for professional workwearPreliminary work involving analysis
For us at Ted Bernhardtz, every solution begins with an analysis of the environment in which the clothing will be used. – That’s the basis for most things, says Björn Ödman, Key Account Manager at Ted Bernhardtz, as he outlines some typical questions: – Do you work indoors, outdoors or in both environments? Are there temperature fluctuations? How much do you move around? How much wear and tear and dirt are the garments exposed to? Do you use personal equipment in your daily work? All of this affects which material is right. Different job roles entail completely different requirements. One role may require high breathability and stretch, another durability and weather protection. That is why the choice of material is never a one-size-fits-all solution – it is situation-specific. – It becomes quite clear that the requirements vary greatly depending on the task. But what they all have in common is that everyone wants comfortable, functional and stylish uniform garments.
Needs determine the strategy
When a business involves both indoor and outdoor work, the choice of materials becomes particularly important. – In such cases, we often work with the layer-on-layer principle. Layer 1, closest to the body, needs to be comfortable and wick away moisture – for example, a T-shirt of the right quality. Layer 2 can be insulating, such as a zip-up jumper. For outdoor roles, a shell garment – layer 3 – is added, which must withstand rain, wind and cold. Here, it is the properties of the materials that matter. Is the fabric breathable enough, and can it withstand the wear and tear of a working day? – Often, bottoms can be the same across roles, whilst tops and outerwear need to be adapted more. It’s about combining materials so that the whole outfit works in practice.
From concept to reality
Björn describes how the customer journey often begins with the visual aspect.
– Initially, it is often the design that the customer sees first, in the form of sketches and reference garments. But the choice of materials is already built into the design. We can then show where we have chosen a stretch fabric for greater comfort or a more durable fabric for heavier use.
As the process moves forward and users become involved, the importance of the material becomes even clearer.
– The focus then shifts to how the garments actually feel and perform. What is the range of movement like? Do you get too hot? Can the garment cope with changes in pace? That’s where the choice of material is immediately apparent.
Price is also a reality in the decision-making process.
– Ultimately, cost always plays a part. Sometimes you have to prioritise and leave something out, which is why it is crucial that we know from the outset which material properties are most valuable.
Understanding the environment – before making a choice
To choose the right materials, we need to understand the customer’s everyday life. – We don’t just talk to the people in charge, but also to the users. We visit the workplaces and see how they work. We understand how they move around, how they interact with their customers, and what stresses the clothing is subjected to. The work is carried out collaboratively within the company. – Often, both myself as the Key Account Manager and someone from design or product development are involved. We see different things and complement each other. The aim is to draw up a clear specification of requirements before the design process begins – otherwise, the choice of materials becomes more of a guess than a strategy.
New requirements for materials
Developments in textile materials are moving fast and demands are increasing. – Today, there is a demand for stretchy, comfortable materials. At the same time, customers want materials to be more environmentally friendly and for old garments to be recycled into new ones. This requires both knowledge and realism. – The industry has progressed to varying degrees on different issues. It is important that we can talk openly with customers about what is possible today and what we need to continue developing together over time. Demands for traceability and transparency are also increasing. – This affects material choices and how we work throughout the supply chain.
Adaptation as a working method
What inspires Björn most is that very process of adaptation.
– Getting to grips with the challenges faced by different companies and finding the right material solution for their specific circumstances. Our business is built on long-term collaborations and partnerships. When you see that the choice of materials really makes a difference in everyday life – that’s when it feels meaningful.
When Björn sees the finished collections out in the workplace, everything really falls into place.
– You realise just how many people actually use our clothing, round the clock and all year round. That’s when you feel a sense of pride.