Please help me design a work uniform

[MythicalChicken]

I recently set up my own business developing professional salon products. I have worked very hard on the formulation of my products, the branding, etc. and am now ready to take them to the market. A lot of my time will be spent visiting beauty salons and shops and I haven't a clue what to wear! I feel that I need some kind of uniform, not just my normal clothes.

My products are all certified Organic but are luxury products. I therefore need a look that says 'organic' but also 'luxury', i.e. no hessian sack, but equally nothing artificial looking.

I was thinking some kind of branded polo shirt, although I don't think they are very flattering. So maybe a t-shirt, but that might be a bit scruffy. And maybe black trousers and high heels? No, that sounds awful. Actually I haven't a clue. Which is why I am here.

Please ladies of style, give me some suggestions.

Thanks.

I think if you are selling beauty products then something similar to salon wear would look really good. It wouldn't need to full on- but maybe a tunic top that you could put your logo on with black trousers and a heel or flats, whichever is more comfy. If your product is luxury you want to look smart and like you know the beauty industry (which I'm sure you do of course!)

Why have you chosen to make organic products? What is your USP? I would be choosing clothes to back that up, I would be expecting you to be dressed in organic fair trade type clothes to be honest, nice stuff, not scruffy. But you need to dress like the boss imo, polo shirt or uniform sends a message that you are just a sales person.

some ideas here? here and here

I want to try to avoid just looking like a sales person. Nothing against sales people, but I formulated these products myself according to the most stringent standards in the world. I therefore want my 'uniform' to have some element of 'she knows what she's talking about'.

That's the thing Nelly. Our products are organic, vegan, cruelty-free, etc. However they are also luxury products. I am trying to get away from the hessian-sack image that 'green' products have.

I'm glad SOME others agree with me! OP, you're trying to convey a sense of success and luxury. A tabard and jeggings will do the opposite of that.

Getting away from hessian and sackcloth is one thing, dressing as though you were a stylist in a low-rent salon is another.

You need a look that is natural and attractive but smart. A uniform won't convey that. Something stylish but bohemian perhaps?

Nelly those clothes are beautiful!

I am the antithesis of bohemian. Well, this new me that I am trying to cultivate is !

People Tree are an ethical/organic clothing brand and the clothes have a professional vibe to them, but not business suity.

www.peopletree.co.uk

Can you wear wide leg trousers? I think it would look more organic and less corporate with a decent shell top. You could get badges mage with your brand or a branded silk scarf to wear around your neck.

Perhaps something like this?

Thanks WingMirrorSpider. Would something like this work? Complete with white trainers? I could get the company logo put on the dress, or is that ridiculous?

You don't need to WEAR your logo OP....that's what electricians do.

Your product should speak for itself. The way you present it...the packaging and what you carry it in will have your logo on it. Perhaps get a nice case and get the logo on that.

And I'd like to point out OP, that the woman in that picture looks like an attractive chamber maid from a chain of hotels.

No no no no to logos. You are High End. Your face is what matters here. You need the most expensive haircut and colour you can afford, book in with a make up counter if you need to update your make up application.
Soft, natural fabrics in any colour. Cashmere, silk, cotton. Really good dark jeans, expensive shoes and bag.
I deal with a lot of sales people and you want to know that you are dealing with the business end of the operation, so to speak. Logos and branding screams ' junior on an away day'

You don't need to WEAR your logo OP....that's what electricians do.

If your products are organic, cruelty free and luxury, I'd wear clothing brands that represent that.

I'd also wear accessories in the colours of your product packaging.

what about a beatiful printed skirt with a simple plain white top?

Logos and branding screams ' junior on an away day'

I think a smart outfit like the wide legged trousers above with a crisp clean white shirt. You can buy several and you always know what to wear and they are easy to replace. Smart flats would be fine if you're walking around, it doesn't have to be high heels. A smart bag to carry product samples could be more branded if you wanted it to be. Most of all make sure your hair looks immaculate at all times! Good luck

No to logos here too.

You're going to look like a travelling sales rep instead of the owner of a luxury beauty brand. You want to be on a par with the beauty salon owners, not look like one of their staff.

I'd wear business attire, skirt/trousers and top rather that a suit. You could have a few outfits and rotate them.

Most of all make sure your hair looks immaculate at all times!

I usually look like one of the Wild Women of Wonga. I am going to have to make much more effort, aren't I?

Hmmmm...

Tbh OP I think you need to consider the fact that you're not really luxury or high end yet. Those products don't tend to be found in small independent salons whose main clients are less likely to be paying out for them. They'll be found in the massive chain salons and you'll be aiming at head offices to sell those.

If you're going for head offices then smart expensive business suits is the way to go, if you're aiming at small salons you need a more casual look.

Either way, no logos

You want to be on a par with the beauty salon owners, not look like one of their staff.

That's a really good point.

You don't want to wear leggings or an outfit similar to the salon staff
You need to make an impression for the right reasons, not the wrong
I do think you need a smart business wardrobe
Not branded with logos but smart
Think smart black dresses with tailored jackets