Painters whites

[Plush]

There seem to be a plethora of creative types here, so maybe you could give me a bit of advice?
I have been painting and decorating for ages now, but its only in the last few years I've begun sprucing up my image. Thinking about a uniforms, I currently wear a white t-shirt thats branded with my logo, but I'm not sure about trousers. And here's the rub - I hate wearing white painters trousers! I feel naff, especially if I go off-site and walk down to the corner shop. And so I wear navy work trousers that look quite smart but do show up the white paint that is inevitably going where it shouldn't.
A painters forum I participate in has covered this topic and the consensus is that all painters should wear white - its a tool of the trade and should be worn with pride as a mark of a professional.
But I would like to know how homeowners view a uniform and whether its important that you look the part? I have asked a few but, well, they're not going to tell me I look a prat.

Any constructive thoughts gratefully received

[Ray Stewart]

First of all - welcome to the forum!

I have seen painters working on houses around here that have been wearing "normal" clothes and I have to say they look a bit - well - amateurish.

We all have certain ideas about dress codes and uniforms. It makes us feel comfortable and respect the person wearing it. For example, if you saw the surgeon, who is about to operate on you, as you were taken into the operating theatre wearing old jeans with holes and a smelly teashirt, would you have the same confidence in him as if he were in his scrubs?

Would people respect a policeperson the same if they just had a badge on the lapel of their cardigan? would you have confidence in your barrister in court if they turned up in casual clothes?

I have nothing against dressing down (or up in some cases) as we are all individuals underneath and what we wear doesn't in anyway affect our ability to do the job.

However, I can't help feeling completely comfortable with our painter who has access to the most personal spaces in our house, because he wears the traditional whites and is proud of how he looks. I don't think I would feel the same if he were dressed differently - but I haven't tried it - to be fair.

I would stick with the whites.

These days there are lots of people who take a short course in painting and decorating at college and set themselves up in business - they are normally the casually dressed ones. Here today, gone tomorrow types that don't have the same professionalism and attention to quality as you obviously do. Be proud of what you are when you walk down the street. It is your best advert - apart from a nice, sign written van parked outside people's houses whilst you work.

Be happy when people smile at you - and then give them one of your poshly prepared business cards and ask if they need any decorating doing. Cheeky and professional is a great combination

[Plush]

Hmm. Gonna have to bite the bullet. Most cheaper decorators trousers do a variable waist size but only 31" leg, not a good look to have your ankles showing. Ok, posh it is then!

[NikkiPilkington]

I agree with Ray - it makes you look more professional, and more 'in control' of what you're doing.

I feel an idiot in a business suit sometimes when I go into clients' offices to do training, but if I turned up in jeans and a t-shirt they wouldn't have the confidence in me to do the job.

[Emma]

Definitely whites, I'd say.

[AboveParr]

I'd go with whites too, they give the right image - and put your logo on them for an added bit of professionalism

[Mat]

As long as you look clean, smart and professional - and everyone in your organisation is wearing the same - I don't think it matters what you wear.

[karenkte]

I would go with the traditional whites. You will look professional and even if you feel that you stick out like a sore thumb going to the shops look at the upside of this......you could turn this to your advantage and possibly gain more customers....if they see a professional looking painter they may well approach you for work

[UK Business Network]

Have to agree with the pro and whites, image is everything, and your next customer could be watching you!

[matt.chatterley]

Definitely whites - image can make a big difference.

In addition to the business card suggestion, why not get your logo / contact details / similar stitched into the back so that when you do wander down the shop, you're also a human advert?

Then you can feel really good about wearing your whites in public.