Throughout history, smart workwear has played a critical role in nearly every individual’s life. While certain styles have been updated for comfort or safety reasons, many classic workwear pieces are still seen in factories, farm fields, and even the urban streets today.
Here is a brief historical timeline-guide about its origins.
1. 18th century
Under the rule of the beloved Queen Victoria, Britain's industrial revolution shifted much of the workforce from agricultural to urban and industrial jobs. Denim jeans became the workwear of choice for miners, cowboys, and railroad workers.
2. 19th century
By 1900, the world power slowly shifted to the west, to America. There, workers were under the age of 16 and not properly dressed for working conditions. Fortunately, with the early media efforts which brought attention to unsafe working conditions in American factories, the need for improvement was highlighted.
3. World War 2 era
After the Great Depression in the 1930s came the second world war and it caused nine million military uniforms to be made. This was also when women in the industrial workforce started adapting men's style in workwear.
4. The 70s-80s
After the world war, came the cultural (cold) war between Russia and America. The 70s and the 80s are known to be the Golden Age of cultural pop and fashion, indeed it is. For corporate wear uniforms, classic pants, shirts, and jackets are adopted by people not just in the USA but around the world. The toughness and comfort this freedom brought were priceless.
5. 2000s-present
Clothing for all industries with flash fire and electric arc flash hazards were quickly required by industry experts and this carried off with all technical workwear of all industries. The more innovative people get today, the more evolution uniforms have to undergo to accommodate the need for safety.
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