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The Best Summer Fabrics for Working in the Heat
Outfitting staff for warm weather can pose a lot of challenges. From sweat marks (and sweat smells) to stickiness and general overheating, showing up to work on a hot day can be the last thing your crew want to do if they don’t have a uniform designed to withstand the heat.
From day one at Cargo Crew (over 20 years ago in 2002!) we made it our mission to design uniforms that would allow staff to feel comfortable for a full day's work, no matter what the temperature. With many of our clients coming from the hospitality and retail industries, these uniforms have big jobs, with staff often being on the move all day, working over a stove, lifting goods or working outside. After putting countless hours into fabric development and garment testing, our production team landed on a range of uniforms that are purpose-built for breathability and all day movement.
From humid Northern Queensland to Miami and sunny Singapore, we help crews all over deliver premium service in comfort - no matter how hot it gets. Here’s our guide to the uniform fabrics that will keep your crew cool, comfortable and sweat-free.
Keep Cool in Cotton
There’s no need for staff satisfaction (and uniform cohesion) to falter in the heat when cotton shirts are in the mix. Cotton is not only soft but durable and comfortable to wear day in and day out. As a completely natural material, pure cotton is moisture wicking, which means rather than allowing sweat to sit on your skin, it absorbs residue into the fabric. Sounds stinky? Don’t sweat it, because cotton also has the beauty of being odor resistant and doesn’t hold on to smells like synthetic fibers can, ensuring your crew can feel confident throughout the day.
Our work shirts are made from hypoallergenic Oeko-Tex® certified fabrics, making them super breathable for long shifts or back-to-back client visits in the heat, plus they are kind to the skin! The Oeko-Tex certification means select shirts have been independently tested and are free from harmful substances and chemicals, making them non-toxic, non-allergenic and better for your team and the environment.
We believe comfort doesn’t have to compromise style either. Designed to make sophistication effortless, our collection of 100% cotton work shirts are inspired by classic tailoring with considered modern cuts and detailing like contrast buttons and stitching for extra polish.
Perfect for: fine dining, hotels and branded sales teams
When you’re looking for a smart casual option for teams on the move during summer, you can’t go past our range of performance polos. We call them “performance polos” because we’ve designed them with drirelease® fabric. The textile was originally designed for elite athletic wear so it’s used to being put under the test in hard working conditions.
If you’re working in a warm climate or getting through a heatwave, drirelease® is going to absorb your sweat away up to four times faster than a cotton option. Like cotton, it prevents odor and has a soft natural feel, helping to regulate body temperature throughout the day. Easy to embroider, the Parker Polo is also a perfect option for businesses looking to make a brand statement in the warmer months!
Perfect for: retail, pubs and clubs and maintenance teams
Up in humid Queensland, Australia, is the picturesque Bribie Island - home of the Bribie Island RSL club. With 100 employees across a range of job roles including wait staff, kitchen, reception and even a courtesy bus, the club needed a uniform that was cohesive across the different functions - and could stand up to the steamy weather.
With inside and outside dining areas, service staff cover a lot of ground at the club. Our range of moisture-absorbing polos paired with a lightweight Henry apron were the perfect option for these team members on their feet all day. You’ll also find the courtesy bus crew wearing a performance polo for their day at work, with the team particularly fond of the uniform’s odor control factionality (navigating the island’s tiny streets is sweaty work).
For the management team, who were after a polished, formal look for greeting their guests, we couldn’t look past setting them up with a navy Smith Oxford shirt. 83% cotton for breathability - plus the addition of 17% polyester to make the shirt even more lightweight - is important for a team who need a professional button up in a humid climate. For the really hot days, the management team also has the option to swap to a short sleeved Smith Oxford, also in their brand color of navy.
Discover how we rolled out warm weather uniforms in our Bribie Island RSL case study.
Imagine if linen didn’t crinkle and could withstand work. Our production crew queried this very thought and one afternoon and set out to achieve something even better. An apron that looks like linen, but doesn’t behave like linen.
Meet our Fight the Fade™ fabric. A lightweight, linen looking fabric, that has the durability of a hospitality workhorse. Built for long shifts in hot working environments, Fight the Fade™ aprons are barely-there light to wear, while combatting everything service throws at it. The fabric replicates the unique textured detail of linen, delivering a genuine look and summer breeze feel crews love - without the delicate hassle of caring for the real thing. Plus, our Fight the Fade™ garments are tested to withstand over 100 washes with no visible fading and can handle heavy duty stain removers such as Napisan, Vanish and Sard Oxy. Browse our high performance aprons.
Perfect for: cafes, bars and restaurant front of house teams
Swap to Short with Waist Aprons
When it's shorts season, the last thing your crew feels like wearing is a uniform designed for the cooler months. An easy and affordable seasonal switch is introducing a waist apron uniform for days that get hot and crews that work year round in warmer climates. Our Henry Waist Apron is the side-kick to our full-bib Henry Apron range, making it a great pick for businesses looking to build a cohesive uniform that provides staff with choice depending on the day’s weather. Not only that, it’s made with our summer loving, Fight the Fade™ fabric for ultimate lightweight comfort. Explore all shorter options in our waist apron range.
Perfect for: resorts and event teams
Matching your team's uniform to the environment they work in supports staff retention by signalling that you care about their comfort and performance in any weather. By considering climate appropriate fabrics when deciding on a uniform, you can support your crew to have the energy and confidence to provide your customers with the experience they know and love, all year round.
Get in touch with our team if you'd like more advice on how to pick the best uniforms to represent your brand no matter what the weather!
