Long gone are the days when corporate wear was limited to suits, ties, and shiny shoes. In today’s workplaces, employers are turning to ‘corporate activewear’ of layered, relaxed-fit garments that replace a conventional uniform. This trend of corporate layering is becoming more popular, but what is it, and how can it be done stylishly? At AWDis, we have all the answers!
What Is Corporate Layering?
‘Layering’ is quite a well-known term, referring to the wearing of garments in a deliberate, layered fashion to optimise comfort. People wear multiple layers to stay warm while walking, working, or exercising, but what makes corporate layering different?
Corporate layering differs only in that it refers to the wearing of these layered garments in the workplace, replacing a conventional uniform with branded base, mid, and outer layers. While maintaining a professional appearance that conveys a unified, clear brand identity, corporate layering allows employees to regulate their body temperature, remain comfortable, and enjoy a degree of choice in how they wear their apparel.
How to Layer Clothes: The Three-Layer System
Corporate layering is all about wearers remaining comfortable as they go about their day-to-day business, but how is it done? Corporate layering is very simple: all you need to do is follow the three-layer system!
Layer 1: The Base
The first-layer garment is responsible for controlling moisture. As wearers move around and conduct tasks, this base layer needs to wick sweat in order to keep them cool and comfortable. Materials like heavy cotton hold moisture, which makes the wearer colder as time goes on. Instead, we recommend materials like polyester.
To succeed, this base layer garment needs to be specially designed. Take our Cool T, for example; its lightweight, breathable construction means it works perfectly as a base layer, keeping the wearer cool thanks to its in-built quick-drying properties.
Layer 2: The Mid
Over the base layer goes a mid-layer, which needs to trap heat. Acting as the main insulation garment, this jacket, jumper, or hoodie layer is commonly the one on show while the wearer is at work, making it the most important layer for brand visibility.
The ideal mid-layer must therefore carry out two key functions, and the AWDis Sophomore ¼ Zip Sweat is a perfect example of a garment that looks good and keeps you warm. Its brushed inner fleece traps heat, while its 100% cotton-faced fabric is ideal for customisation, allowing it to showcase everything your brand has to offer.
Layer 3: The Outer Shell
Finally comes the third and outermost layer, which is responsible for protecting the wearer from the elements. Especially important for workplaces that rely on employees working outside or in nature, these outer shells need to be wind- and rain-resistant, protecting the layers underneath so that they can work as intended.
There are plenty of options for this final layer, from raincoats to jackets to gilets. When selecting a third-layer garment, it’s essential to choose one that is durable and capable of withstanding the elements, yet also effective at presenting branding, as the final layer will be the most visible in outdoor settings.
When customising this final garment, we recommend keeping branding subtle to achieve the right balance between visibility and functionality. With our Noah Denim Jacket, for example, an embroidered logo on the left chest enhances brand visibility without the design becoming vulnerable to harsh outdoor elements.
Achieving Corporate Style: How to Layer Clothing and Look Fashionable
Corporate layering must above all keep wearers warm and comfortable, but that doesn’t mean it can’t also make them look good. At AWDis, we take enormous pride in ensuring our garments are not only practical but also stylish. If you’re looking to make your corporate layering look as good as it feels, here are our top tips.
Tonal Branding
Crafting layered corporate wear that looks professional and stylish means selecting the right tones and shades to reflect your brand’s aesthetic and ethos. Whether you choose bright, contrasting colours to communicate an energetic, playful identity or a monochrome palette of black, grey, and charcoal to present a suave, cool image, corporate layering looks its best when it resonates with your brand.
Combine Textures
Within the confines of your brand colours, you can still exercise a lot of choice in how your corporate layering looks, thanks to the variety of textures available. By combining different textures, such as a matte Cool Polo with a fleece hoodie, you can create a visual depth that adds value to your apparel and draws eyes to your branding.
Know Your Environment
Make your corporate layering look natural by curating garment combinations that suit the environments in which they will be worn. This might seem obvious, but selecting layers that match the work setting will enhance the branding presented on them, helping customers or clients draw connections between the garments’ suitability and the brand’s viability.
For office and sales teams, fleeces and Just Polos garments high in cotton look casual yet presentable, offering an approachable and informed appearance. Warehouse or outdoor teams, on the other hand, need items that look as though they support their work, such as the lightweight, breathable garments from our Just Cool range.
Companies that work in sustainable industries must be the most selective in the garments they associate with their brand. Those from the AWDis Ecologie range, made from recycled and organic materials, therefore look fashionable for an additional conceptual reason.
Discover Corporate Layering Garments Here at AWDis
The key to corporate layering is selecting garments that keep the wearer comfortable while looking terrific. Combining customisable apparel pieces that support your workforce while raising awareness of your brand is the ultimate boost for your company, and with AWDis’ expertise, you can make these outfits look as great as they support your workforce.
Whether you’re looking for durable polos, suave fleeces, or lightweight workwear, we’ve got just what you’re looking for at AWDis. Got questions? Reach out – our team is always here to help!
