Photos of Acceptable Warehouse, Industrial, and Manufacturing Attire

The Dress Code for Warehouse and Similar Jobs

Developing the proper dress code for employees in warehouse, industrial, and manufacturing positions requires certain considerations. Because their jobs may involve physical labor or working in a dangerous environment, workers require comfortable clothing that not only allows them to perform their jobs efficiently but protects them from hazards. At the same time, they also need to appear professional to coworkers, customers, and visitors.

Above all, clothing should be neat, unwrinkled, clean, and well-maintained. Employees should avoid torn, frayed and dirty clothing, and anything with words, logos, or pictures that may be deemed offensive. None of this is professional, and doesn't set a good image for your company. Your goal is to build cohesiveness with coworkers in settings that host customers.

The following photographs display appropriate clothing for those working in an industrial, manufacturing, warehouse, construction, or skilled trade setting. Ideas include casual, comfortable clothing or uniforms that are appropriate in a hands-on workplace. Because many of the settings require safety equipment, several  images show people wearing equipment such as safety glasses, hard hats, and steel-toed shoes. 

Manufacturing Dress Code

Portrait of three courier employees inside warehouse
Alistair Berg / Getty Images

In some industrial settings, uniform-type clothing may be a dress code requirement.  If this is the case, uniforms should be in good condition and appropriate for the workplace.

The uniform doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as a polo shirt with a custom company logo. 

Consult your supervisor or human resources staff if you experience any uncertainty, as dress code requirements vary by company.

Comfort and Safety

Female boss is briefing her coworkers in factory with three types of industrial dress in the image.
Westend61 / Getty Images

Clothing should promote employee comfort and safety, especially in a factory setting. 

In this example, workers are dressed in comfortable clothing covered with a bright reflective vest for safety purposes.

The woman in jeans likely is a manager who works in a separate office, not on the factory floor. Also notice the two people wearing protective white lab jackets.

Hard Hats

Hard hats are often worn by employees in an industrial or manufacturing setting.
Caiaimage/Agnieszka Olek / Getty Images

In some industrial settings, hard hats may be required. Note that safety standards change over time, so it's crucial to stay current on workplace safety requirements.

The employees in this example are dressed casually in shirts and pants. Their safety vests make them visible to other employees while they're on the job. 

The different colored vests also identify each employee's role. ​Supervisors and engineers wear yellow vests, while factory workers wear orange vests.

Work Efficiency

Couriers delivering parcels and boxes in properly clean and pressed uniforms for a warehouse and delivery setting.
Alistair Berg / Getty Images

The workers are dressed for a warehousing delivery function. In this case, they're wearing a jumpsuit and a baseball cap. The jumpsuit allows them to be comfortable and efficient, as there are no extra layers or other accessories to impede their progress. The hat also provides protection from the weather.

In many instances when industrial workers must meet the public, the uniform-like clothing identifies them as company workers. Their uniform must be clean, pressed and reputable, as they represent the public face of their organization.

Surveyors Wearing Proper Industrial Attire

This survey crew is prepareed for work in hard hats, yellow vests and casual pant and jeans.
xavierarnau/E+/Getty Images

The surveyors exemplify a proper dress code for an industrial, construction, manufacturing workplace. Their tops are well-maintained and professional, but still appropriate for a work environment.

Plaid shirts, fleece pull-overs, and similar tops with full sleeves are a suitable choices as long as they are in good condition. Khaki work pants, cargo pants, and denim work well with this type of job and also wear well in a physical environment. 

Manufacturing or Warehouse Attire

Correct protective attire for a manufacturing or warehouse setting.
SolStock / Getty Images

The employee and her trainee are dressed appropriately for a manufacturing dress code environment. The orange undershirt topped with a royal blue protective long-sleeved shirt may be the colors of the company. This uniform is consistent with many seen in a manufacturing environment.

Both are wearing a protective yellow vest that makes them visible from a distance in a plant. They also wear protective headgear that is just one step removed from a hard hat.

The uniform is modest and gender neutral. It fits and looks appropriate for a factory work environment. 

Factory Coats in Manufacturing and Warehouse Settings

These four factory workers wear jackets over their street attire in an industrial setting.
Hero Images/Getty Images

The industrial workers wear factory coats over street clothes, which enables them to wear just about any clothing, as it is protected by the jackets. In any dirty occupation, coats are normally supplied by the employer.

Safety is foremost in this image. The workers wear safety glasses to protect their eyes, and the women wear their hair tied back and out of the way. Further, they wear gloves when handling parts.

Clean and Neat Manufacturing Business Attire

Five workers in a factory are dressed in casual yet clean attire.
Image Source / Getty Images

The workers exemplify appropriate clothing in an industrial field. They wear clothing typical for any manufacturing work environment. The clothing is casual yet clean and mended.

The goal in an industrial or manufacturing work environment is to have workers wear casual, comfortable clothing they don't mind getting dirty. This is not an environment for business-casual-dress.

Keeping Warm During Cold Weather

Copyright Artemis Gordon

The construction workers represent an array of clothing options for a manufacturing dress code. For example, plaid and denim shirts are a staple in an industrial workplace.

Additionally, cargo-type khaki jackets still look professional ​and provide warmth during cold weather. With necessary safety accessories, such as a fluorescent vest and hard hats, these employees are ready to work and look positive and professional, as well.

Safety Equipment and Comfortable Clothing

Warehouse and industrial fork lift driver wears clothing appropriate to her manufacturing environment.
Tempura / Getty Images

This worker is suitably dressed in a casual button-down shirt and jeans. Her clothes are appropriate for business attire in her work environment.

This is a prime example of a worker dressing appropriately and comfortably for a manufacturing workplace. 

She is also adhering to safety standards on the job by wearing steel-toed boots, a fluorescent vest, and proper headgear.

Comfort and Flexibility

Manager and workers reviewing information a in factory setting wearing industrial clothing
Hero Images / Getty Images

In a manufacturing setting, it's important for clothing to be comfortable and provide employees the flexibility needed to perform their jobs. However, clothing should also be neat and clean.

In this example, the manufacturing facility has a dress code of light blue shirts that is very professional. 

Keeping with the safety rules, they also wear required safety glasses. The manager conforms to the same dress code with the addition of a tie.

Bottom Line

These images can serve as a guide for determining a suitable dress code for employees working in an industrial environment. Mainly, work attire should be neat and clean, and allow workers to perform their jobs safely and effectively. To ensure dress codes stay current, they should be revisited so they conform to changes in the workplace as well as revised safety standards.