A selection of the best workwear brands for Australian women
IMAGE VIA @SUKWORKWEAR/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY KATE STREADER
Functional workwear that doesn’t compromise style.
Technician and trades jobs are traditionally male-dominated workplaces, and while those industries and the attitudes around them are shifting to become more inclusive, trying to find suitable workwear for those occupations as a femme bodied person can be tough.
Beyond wanting to look professional and feel confident at work, manual labour jobs require dynamic performance wear which needs to fit right, feel comfortable and be durable enough to withstand whatever work you need to do.
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When it comes to trades jobs, ill-fitting workwear isn’t just a nuisance – it’s a safety hazard. Everyone deserves to feel good about themselves in what they wear. So, to help you look and feel your best on the job, we’ve put together a list of some of the top workwear brands for women who don’t work in an office.
Sük Workwear
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Designed by women to suit all shapes and sizes, Sük Workwear proves functionality and flattering fits needn’t be mutually exclusive. Its range includes ass-hugging pants, high-waisted shorts, boiler suits, overalls, and tops – all of which look good enough to wear off the worksite.
Dickies
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Dickies has been a leading workwear brand in its homeland, the US, for almost a century, but it’s been embraced much more recently here in Australia. The brand’s masculine, androgynous pieces suit all genders and its tough, made to last designs cater to various lines of work.
Hard Yakka
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Founded in the back of a house in Brunswick, Melbourne, and derived from the Aboriginal word ‘yakka’, which means work, Hard Yakka is now one of Australia’s biggest workwear brands. Its no-frills range is built for comfort, performance and durability.
Carhartt Work In Progress
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Carhartt has been making workwear since the 1800s and branched into its WIP offshoot in the mid-’90s before launching its first collection for women at the turn of the century. Simple, sturdy, comfortable and cool, its designs are the perfect intersection of street fashion and workwear. In fact, if you’ve ever set foot in a vintage store, you’ve most likely come across its iconic two-tone Detroit Jacket, a favourite since the ’50s.
Blundstone
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Family-owned and based in Tasmania, Blundstone are work boot connoisseurs. Made from premium, water-resistant leather in a selection of neutral colours and various styles, its range will have you covered no matter the job or the weather. Built for comfort, you won’t be dying to kick off your Blunnies by the end of the day.
Patagonia
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Made from industrial hemp, recycled polyester, and organic cotton, Patagonia’s range of workwear is a sustainable option that’s still strong and suitable for hard work. The range includes a T-shirt, shorts, pants and overalls in a subtle palette of earthy hues.
Bisley
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Bisley is at the forefront of innovative work, protective and safety wear. Its range includes inbuilt anti-bacterial treatment, sun protection, insect barriers, static and moisture control, and flame and water resistance, all without compromising aesthetics or comfort.
Eve Workwear
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Created by Laura Madden and Juanita Mottram, the directors of Brisbane-based all-female construction company Eve Renovations, Eve Workwear was born when the pair became fed up with the endless struggle of trying to find workwear for women that fitted well and looked good. From painters’ whites and neutrals to bold brights and flannels, it’s got it all.
KingGee
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Established in Sydney in the 1920s, KingGee has come a long way over the last hundred years. Adapting to suit the ever-evolving way we work, KingGee’s modern collections are designed to be breathable, flexible and keep you cool on the job. Its pants come in two types of fits, straight and curved, to best suit different body types.
Worktones
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Offering off the shelf and custom uniforms, Worktones is a Sydney-based brand specialising in workwear for the foodservice industry. Its minimalist collection includes overalls, aprons, and caps, all of which can be customised and embroidered or screen printed to include your company branding.
Green Hip
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Founded in Geelong out of the same frustrations that birthed the majority of female workwear brands, Green Hip was created to fill a gap in the women’s workwear market. Its range of versatile workwear was designed to look good and fit well on a range of female bodies, plus for every garment sold, the brand plants a native grass, shrub or tree.
Stan Ray
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A family-run American label that tracks back to 1972, Stan Ray boasts a low-fuss and functional range. For almost five decades now, its countless silhouettes and colourways are produced from the original factory in Crockett, Texas. From painter pants to pleated trousers, Stan Ray offers pairs for work and play.
Chute 9
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After becoming frustrated at the rate her pants were wearing out (we feel your pain) cattle station worker Claudia Fox decided to create her own line of hard-wearing jeans. Tried and tested by women who work on the land, Claudia’s label Chute 9 specialises in high-quality, well-fitting denim. Made for tough work without sacrificing style, the Chute 9 collection fills the gap for sturdy women’s clothing.
Thrills Co
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Originally founded as a pursuit to import vintage motorcycles from the US, Thrills Co is now most widely known for its vintage-inspired, universal streetwear. The Byron Bay label offers versatile womenswear, like the Carpenter Drill Pants. The contrast stitching makes them a hot (and more consciously-made) spin on the stock-standard worksite fit.
The North Face
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The North Face is no stranger to ubiquity. The performance-focused brand does not miss when it comes to hi-tech, durable, and versatile adventure apparel. Whether you’re working in the cold or trying to avoid heatstroke, The North Face offers it all, and sometimes in one garment.
Day Seven
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After her time spent living in Osaka, Japan, designer Molly Kent founded the contemporary workwear label Day Seven. Working for over a decade in both FOH and BOH hospitality, Molly wanted to create a range of uniforms that made staff feel comfortable and confident. From design to development, the collection of versatile uniform pieces – crafted in colours like olive, oatmeal and paprika – is entirely made in Melbourne.
For a brief history of workwear, head here.
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