Uniforms are washed often, worn hard and bought in large repeat orders. That makes consistency and durability more important than anything else.
Blends commonly used
- Polyester-cotton (PC). A common choice for shirts because it resists wrinkles, dries quickly and lasts through many washes.
- Polyester-viscose (PV). Often used for trousers, skirts and suiting because it holds its shape and drapes well.
- Cotton and cotton-rich blends. More breathable and soft, with less durability than polyester blends.
What to specify
- Count and blend ratio. Write both on the order, for example the polyester to cotton ratio.
- Strength and evenness. Even yarn gives a clean fabric face and fewer breaks.
- Shade consistency. Repeat orders need the same shade year after year.
- Shrinkage and fastness. Ask for data on shrinkage and colour fastness to washing and light.
Plan for repeat orders
Uniform buyers often order every year. Agree a specification and keep a retained sample so next year's order matches this year's. See our pages on PC yarn, PV yarn and bulk orders.
More on this: Yarn buying guide · Request a sample · Get a quote