Size and Fit

A quality, comfortable size and fit is essential to modern uniform design.

At Sugdens, the design process for a new customer starts with assessing the uniform fit they use currently and how the wearers feel about it. If we’re manufacturing ‘like for like’ uniforms, we must guarantee we copy that fit exactly for continuity.

We may be asked to improve the fit of the garments but retain the look, or create a new design, so we constantly need to ensure we offer a garment that the wearers feel comfortable to be in all day. The wearer is key to any successful uniform roll-out. If someone likes their uniform and are happy to put it on every working day, this goes a long way to having a responsive and flourishing workforce.

We recommend a trial for new styles to check comfort and fit for the wearers. It is crucial for the Designer to ‘walk the job’ to understand the role of the wearer and their day to day movements. Talking to the wearer helps to confirm that previous mistakes are not repeated in a new range.

Wearers who bend and stretch benefit from a flexible feature such as a part-elasticated waistband or an ‘action back’ in a top and a longer shirt length would keep the garment tucked in. Uniforms also benefit from the addition of Lycra or a mechanical stretch for comfort and fabric recovery. This ensures that a garment not only fits but looks smart for the duration of the day.

Our Group Designer, Judith Waring adds,

“We produce a ‘sizing set’ where we provide the customer with one garment of every size. The wearers can try them on to find their correct fit prior to placing their individual orders … someone will reference their favourite high street shop as ‘their’ fit but they might well find they are a bigger or smaller size in their new uniform. Obviously no-one likes to be a different size – especially if they have to size up – But it’s a necessary evil to get it right. At the end of the day it’s about how the garment fits and not about what size label is inside.”

If a garment fits well it will flatter you by helping you look slimmer than if you are squeezed into a garment which is too small.

As Coco Chanel said,

“Dress shabbily and they remember the dress, dress impeccably and they remember the woman”