Work Hoodies for Construction and Trades Crews
By The Velocity Wear Team
Contractors, electricians, plumbers, roofers and landscapers live in hoodies from October to April. A branded work hoodie keeps the crew warm, makes them look like a professional outfit when they knock on a homeowner's door, and quietly advertises the business on every job. It just needs to survive the job.
What makes a hoodie job-site ready
- A heavier fleece, 10 oz and up, that doesn't wear thin at the elbows.
- A cotton-poly blend, which holds up better to heavy washing than 100% cotton.
- Dark colors that hide dirt: charcoal, black, navy, brown.
- Reinforced seams and sturdy cuffs.
- A pouch pocket big enough to be useful.
Branding that wins work
Put a clean logo on the left chest and your company name and phone number or website across the upper back. The back is what homeowners and neighbors see when your crew is working. It's advertising on a truck-sized scale, just a lot cheaper.
Embroidery on the chest lasts through rough use. Screen print on the back is durable and budget-friendly. Avoid fine detail that gets lost at a distance.
Hi-vis and safety rules
A branded hoodie is not high-visibility safety apparel. If your crew works near traffic or moving equipment, workers may need garments meeting the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard, and your safety obligations under OSHA apply. Follow your site's requirements and put certified hi-vis on top where it's needed. Decoration must never cover reflective tape on hi-vis gear.
Also, drawcords can catch in machinery. Many trades prefer hoodies without drawcords for exactly that reason. Ask for it.
Sizing crews
Trades crews tend to skew larger, with L, XL and 2XL carrying most orders. People also layer hoodies over thermals or under jackets, so a little room helps. Collect sizes individually rather than guessing.
Plan the whole kit
Many trades businesses order hoodies for winter, t-shirts for summer and maybe a softshell or jacket for the office staff. Keep the logo, size and placement consistent across all of it so the crew looks unified. See jackets and outerwear and custom t-shirts.
Tax note
Company-branded work apparel can have tax implications for the business and employees. Ask your accountant how to handle it.
Keep the crew looking consistent
Hoodies wear out and new hires join mid-season. Order a few extras in the most common sizes, and keep a written spec: style, color, logo size and position, thread color. A crew where half the hoodies are a slightly different gray from a different supplier looks less professional than no branding at all.
Some businesses give every new hire two hoodies and two t-shirts on day one. It sets a tone that this is a company that takes care of its people, and it means nobody shows up to a client's house in a hoodie from a competitor.
Hoodies under jackets
In winter, crews layer hoodies under work jackets. A slightly relaxed fit helps, and hoods should sit flat under jackets and hard hats. Some crews prefer crewneck sweatshirts for this reason.
Replacing worn hoodies
Set a simple replacement cycle, such as new hoodies each fall. Crews in faded, torn hoodies undercut a professional image.
Ordering
Our minimum is 20 per design with sizes mixed. Production takes 10 to 15 working days after proof approval. Order before the cold sets in. Browse custom hoodies or check costs on the calculator.
