Understanding the Difference Between Corporate Clothing Sizes and High Street Sizes
When it comes to shopping for clothes, most people are familiar with the sizing systems used by high street retailers. However, for businesses sourcing corporate clothing, things aren’t always so straightforward. Many companies provide uniforms or workwear that fit a different sizing structure than the clothes you'd typically find on the high street. But why is there a discrepancy? And how can understanding the difference between corporate clothing sizes and high street sizes help you make more informed choices for your team?
In this blog post, we will explore the key differences between corporate clothing sizes and high street sizes, and take a deeper look at the psychology and rationale behind these variations.
1. Size Charts: A Fundamental Difference
The most noticeable difference between corporate clothing sizes and high street sizes is how they are measured. While both industries use similar sizing systems (such as small, medium, large, or numeric sizes), corporate clothing often adheres to a more standardised sizing system compared to high street clothing, which can vary greatly from brand to brand.
Corporate Clothing Sizes:
- Uniformity: Corporate clothing sizes tend to be more consistent, especially when ordering in bulk. Many corporate clothing manufacturers create size charts based on industry standards to ensure that the clothing fits a wide range of body types, regardless of brand.
- Fit Variations: Corporate sizes are often less focused on fashion trends and more about providing a comfortable, practical fit that accommodates various working environments. This means that corporate sizes may prioritise functionality over form, offering a roomier fit for ease of movement.
High Street Sizes:
- Inconsistency: On the high street, sizing can vary significantly between different brands and stores. A size 12 at one retailer might feel completely different from a size 12 at another. This inconsistency can be frustrating for consumers looking for a specific fit.
- Trend-Driven Fit: High street sizes often follow fashion trends, which can influence how clothes fit. For instance, slim-cut trousers or oversized shirts might be in fashion, leading to smaller or larger fits depending on the trend.
2. The Role of Comfort and Practicality in Corporate Clothing
One of the primary focuses of corporate clothing is to provide comfort and functionality in a professional environment. This is especially true for industries that require employees to be on their feet for long hours, such as healthcare, hospitality, or retail. The size and fit of corporate clothing is designed to accommodate work tasks, ensuring employees can move freely, perform duties comfortably, and feel confident in their uniform.
Key Differences in Fit:
- Ease of Movement: Corporate clothing is typically designed with functional sizing to allow for ease of movement, whether it’s a healthcare worker needing flexibility in their scrubs or a construction worker requiring roomier work trousers. These clothes are often designed to be practical first and foremost, without the need for body-hugging fits.
- Layering and Comfort: Corporate clothing often factors in layering, meaning that the sizes may be a bit larger to account for the additional layers of clothing worn beneath. For example, a uniform jacket may be sized to accommodate the thickness of a shirt or sweater worn underneath.
High street clothing, on the other hand, may lean more towards aesthetic fit, with trends focusing on clothes that are tailored for fashion rather than practicality. This can result in tighter cuts or more restrictive fits, which may not be suitable for everyday work environments.
3. The Psychological Aspect of Sizing: Confidence vs. Conformity
The difference in sizing also has a lot to do with the psychological factors at play when it comes to the perception of size. High street sizing often appeals to an individual's personal identity and self-expression, with fashion-conscious buyers striving for clothes that make them feel stylish, slim, or fashionable.
High Street Sizing and Psychology:
- Body Image: High street sizing is often associated with the desire to meet current trends, and consumers may feel pressured to purchase clothing that fits a certain body type or look, regardless of their natural shape. In some cases, high street retailers use smaller sizing for certain styles to make customers feel more attractive or slender.
- Social Influence: The influence of social media and celebrity culture also plays a significant role in how individuals perceive clothing sizes. People may select sizes based on how they feel they should look rather than what fits them comfortably, which can lead to dissatisfaction when clothes don’t fit as expected.
Corporate Clothing Sizing and Psychology:
- Professionalism and Comfort: In contrast, the primary psychological goal of corporate clothing is to make the wearer feel confident in their role and reflect the professionalism of their workplace. Sizing is typically geared toward making employees feel comfortable and capable in their uniform, without being overly concerned with body shape or size.
- Consistency and Uniformity: The psychological benefit of corporate sizing lies in the uniformity it provides. Employees are often less concerned with personal style in the workplace and more focused on a cohesive company image. The idea is to promote a sense of belonging and equality among employees, so everyone wears the same fit, regardless of their body shape.
4. Why Corporate Clothing Sizes Are More Standardised
Corporate clothing sizes tend to be more standardised for a number of practical and psychological reasons. When businesses place uniform orders, they often need to accommodate employees of all shapes and sizes. Therefore, companies may choose to work with size ranges that are more consistent across multiple employees, ensuring that everyone has access to a size that fits them comfortably.
Moreover, corporate uniform manufacturers tend to design with the workforce in mind, creating sizes that are less body-specific and more adaptable to different body types. This flexibility is important because, in the corporate world, employees are expected to look polished and professional, but comfort and functionality take precedence over personal fashion preferences.
Key Benefits of Standardised Corporate Sizing:
- Consistency: All employees, regardless of their body type, can access a similar-sized uniform that fits well and maintains a professional appearance.
- Ease of Bulk Orders: Businesses can more easily order uniforms for their teams in bulk, knowing that the sizing will be consistent and meet the needs of a diverse workforce.
5. The Bottom Line: Function vs. Fashion
At the end of the day, the key difference between corporate clothing sizes and high street sizes boils down to function versus fashion. High street sizing is often designed with the latest trends and individual style in mind, prioritising aesthetic appeal over practicality. Meanwhile, corporate clothing sizing is more focused on comfort, durability, and ensuring that employees feel confident in their roles.
When selecting corporate clothing, it’s important to understand that fit and comfort should take priority over fashion trends. The psychology behind corporate workwear is focused on team unity, professionalism, and comfort, which means the fit may be slightly roomier than what you would find on the high street—but that’s a deliberate choice to support employees in their roles.
