As the editor of APC magazine, I see a lot of photos of painters at work, and have to select the best ones to represent the profession.
Recently, I found a great photo for last month’s cover. There was only one problem: the painter was wearing blue jeans.
“Many painters feel strongly that painter’s pants are core to professionalism,” a friend advised.
Was this still true? I turned to Facebook for answers.
“Would you let an employee wear jeans, or are painter’s whites mandatory?” I asked.
The responses showed that this indeed was once a contentious issue.
“I personally wear whites and used to require everyone on the job to as well,” said Carina Mac. “Over the last decade or so, I’ve met and worked with many excellent painters who don’t wear them so I’ve changed my thinking.”
“I used to be a stickler on this and made everyone wear whites,” said Steve Lockwood. “I have recently changed my mind on that.”
Others were much stricter in their dress code.
“Only whites with very little paint on them,” said Tim Kenney. “We have standards and our image is very important. … Plus we pay for all their pants.”
From this nonscientific poll, it does appear the industry trend is shifting away from a strict adherence to the painter’s traditional uniform.
“Jeans, khakis, whites, whatever the employee prefers,” said Rob Lenzen.
“I allow them to wear whatever they like,” said Chris Bott. “If necessary, I will provide overalls on certain jobs.”
“Painter’s whites are not mandatory,” said Kimberly Gilleland. “Clothes should fit, no rips, and no offensive content. Shorts are allowed when it is hot. You can wear yoga or stretchy pants, jeans, or khakis.”
Khakis seemed to be a popular choice to replace the white pants of yore.
“Whites or khakis,” said Roger D. Carroll. “60/40 in our company, 60% wear whites.”
There is no wrong answer, of course. This is about individual preference and what kind of brand you want to create for your employees and customers.
Nevertheless, it was fascinating to hear the different viewpoints. APC recently launched a new group on Facebook for contract painters. We’d love for you to join. Who knows? You could be quoted in a future edition of APC.
3 Responses
An entire crew wearing the same uniform enhances the image of professionalism and fosters that feeling of teamwork within the crew. My people always will wear whites.
I am old school and believe the professional look is whites.
The original purpose of the white paints and shirt was that the white color was less deturbed buy the multiple colors that may be applied during the tenure of the uniform. We see competitors allowing a mixed paint and shirt appearance and I feel we are branding the professional look with our strict policy.
while others lack the appearance. First impressions are key!
Roy Miller
Professional Painters wear whites pants and union painters required a white shirt. In the thirties the painters also wore a little funny tie. The whites put homeowners more at ease when Painters are working
inside and outside their homes because it made you look clean. We were sent home if we did not have our
whites.
Great trade to be in ( 46 years ).