Author: Christian

Selecting the Right Promo Goods: The Do’s and Don’ts of Branded Merch

Let’s be honest for a second: we’ve all got a drawer at home filled with "stuff" we’ve picked up at trade shows or received as "gifts" from companies. Most of it: the flimsy plastic pens that leak, the keyrings that snap the first time you put a key on them, or the t-shirts that shrink […]

High-Definition Embroidery: Is Your Logo Losing Its Edge?

Hey there, I’m Christian O’Connor, the Head of Operations here at Michaels Workwear. If you’ve ever walked into a meeting or onto a job site and felt like your company logo looked a bit… well, “fuzzy,” then this post is for you. I’ve spent years overseeing our production floor, and I’ve seen it all: from […]

High-Definition Embroidery: Is Your Logo Losing Its Edge?

Hey there, I’m Christian O’Connor, the Head of Operations here at Michaels Workwear. If you’ve ever walked into a meeting or onto a job site and felt like your company logo looked a bit… well, “fuzzy,” then this post is for you. We spend a lot of time talking about the quality of the garments: […]

Embroidered Workwear vs. Printed vs. DTF: Which Lasts Longest on Site?

Let's be honest, workwear takes a beating on site. Between concrete dust, cement splashes, repeated washes, and the odd encounter with a nail or sharp edge, your team's branded gear needs to be tough as old boots. But here's the question we get asked all the time at our Wiltshire workshop: which personalisation method actually […]

Eco-Friendly Workwear: Why Recycled Fabrics are Taking Over in 2026

industry-news If you've been shopping around for custom workwear lately, you've probably noticed something: recycled fabrics are everywhere. And we're not just talking about a few niche eco-brands anymore. In 2026, sustainable materials have gone from "nice to have" to pretty much standard across the industry. So what's driving this massive shift? And more importantly, […]

EN ISO 20471 Simplified: Choosing the Right Hi-Vis Class for Your Crew

ppe-and-safety Look, we get it. Safety standards can feel like wading through treacle. You've got a crew to manage, jobs to finish, and the last thing you need to do is decode another set of regulations. But here's the thing about EN ISO 20471 – it's actually pretty straightforward once someone breaks it down in […]

From Polos to Parkas: How to Build a Complete Uniform Kit That Works

workwear-buying-guides Kitting out your entire team with branded workwear doesn't have to feel like climbing Everest. Whether you're managing a construction crew who need everything from summer polos to winter parkas, or you're running a medical practice that requires specialised uniforms, getting it right comes down to proper planning. Let's break down how to build […]

UKCA Marking on PPE: 5 Critical Things Every Employer Needs to Check

ppe-and-safety If you're responsible for buying PPE for your team, you've probably noticed those little marks on safety boots, hi-vis jackets, and protective gloves. But do you actually know what they mean? More importantly, do you know what you're legally required to check before handing that kit out to your workforce? Let's be honest – […]

Preparing for the NEC / Your team’s workwear

If you’ve ever set foot in the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, you know exactly what I’m talking about when I say it’s a bit of a beast. It’s huge, it’s bustling, and if you’re there for a trade show, it’s your one big shot to make a lasting impression on thousands of potential […]

Beyond the Boots: Why Michaels Workwear is Now Your One-Stop Shop for Promotional Goods

For years, when people thought of Michaels Workwear, they thought of reliability underfoot. They thought of the FS330 Safety Boot protecting toes on a busy site or the Classic Uniform Boot keeping a security team looking sharp and feeling comfortable. We’ve built our reputation on being the backbone of your team’s wardrobe, providing everything from […]

Eco-Friendly Workwear: Why Recycled Fabrics are Taking Over in 2026

If you've been shopping around for custom workwear lately, you've probably noticed something: recycled fabrics are everywhere. And we're not just talking about a few niche eco-brands anymore. In 2026, sustainable materials have gone from "nice to have" to pretty much standard across the industry. So what's driving this massive shift? And more importantly, should […]

EN ISO 20471 Simplified: Choosing the Right Hi-Vis Class for Your Crew

Look, we get it. Safety standards can feel like wading through treacle. You've got a crew to manage, jobs to finish, and the last thing you need is to decode another set of regulations. But here's the thing about EN ISO 20471 – it's actually pretty straightforward once someone breaks it down for you in […]

5 Pro Tips to Keep Your Printed Logo Looking Sharp (Even After 50 Washes)

You've just invested in smart-looking printed workwear with your company logo front and centre. Your team looks professional, your brand's out there, and everything's brilliant. Until wash number 15, when that crisp logo starts looking a bit… tired. Here's the thing: getting quality printed workwear is only half the battle. The real secret to keeping […]

UKCA Marking on PPE: 5 Critical Things Every Employer Needs to Check

If you're responsible for buying PPE for your team, you've probably noticed those little marks on safety boots, hi-vis jackets, and protective gloves. But do you actually know what they mean? More importantly, do you know what you're legally required to check before handing that kit out to your workforce? Let's be honest – compliance […]

Embroidered Workwear vs. Printed vs. DTF: Which Lasts Longest on Site?

Let's be honest, workwear takes a beating on site. Between concrete dust, cement splashes, repeated washes, and the odd encounter with a nail or sharp edge, your team's branded gear needs to be tough as old boots. But here's the question we get asked all the time at our Wiltshire workshop: which personalisation method actually […]

The 2026 Guide to Buying Personalised Workwear for Small Businesses

Running a small business means every decision counts. When you're thinking about kitting out your team with personalised workwear, it's not just about looking the part, it's about building your brand, boosting morale, and making a professional impression that sticks. The good news? Getting quality personalised workwear in 2026 is easier and more affordable than […]

The Move to “Tech-Wear”: Why Builders are Choosing More Breathable Fabrics

Gone are the days when workwear meant stiff, heavy fabrics that felt like you were wearing cardboard by lunchtime. If you've been on a building site recently, you might've noticed something different – crews kitted out in gear that looks and performs more like something you'd see on a fell runner than a bricklayer. Welcome […]

From Polos to Parkas: How to Build a Complete Uniform Kit That Works

Kitting out your entire team with branded workwear doesn't have to feel like climbing Everest. Whether you're managing a construction crew who need everything from summer polos to winter parkas, or you're running a medical practice that requires specialised uniforms, getting it right comes down to proper planning. Let's break down how to build a […]

Safety Without Compromise: Why Proper Women’s PPE is a Workplace Essential

Today, we’re diving into the heavy stuff: safety. Specifically, why proper-fitting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) isn't just a matter of comfort or looking the part: it’s a fundamental workplace essential that can literally save lives. Here at Michaels Workwear, we’ve seen the industry evolve, but for a long time, the "standard" for PPE was "Small […]

Built for the Job: The 2026 Guide to Women’s Workwear That Fits

If you’ve ever tried to get through a full shift in workwear that doesn’t properly fit, you’ll know it’s not just uncomfortable — it can become a real safety issue. Today, we’re talking about what carries you through the whole workday: workwear that fits, moves, and lasts. For too long, women’s workwear was treated as […]

High-Performance Women’s Outerwear for Every Industry

Our team has been digging into why the industry is finally moving away from the “one size fits men, and women can just deal with it” mentality. Today, we’re tackling one of the biggest bugbears in the trade: outerwear. For decades, the standard approach to women’s jackets, parkas, and high-vis gear often relied on simply […]

Safety Without Compromise: Portwest’s Essential PPE for Women

For a long time, the world of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was a bit of a "one-size-fits-all" environment. And let’s be honest, "one-size-fits-all" almost always meant "one size fits men." For the women working in construction, engineering, logistics, and manufacturing, the options were often limited to wearing oversized men’s gear or, perhaps worse, finding "shrunk […]

Tailored for Success: The Best Portwest Uniforms for Women

For a long time, the world of professional workwear followed a pretty lazy rule: "Shrink it and pink it." If a company needed uniforms for women, they’d often just order the men’s version in a smaller size or, worse, add a splash of pastel and call it a day. At Michaels Workwear, we know that […]

No More “Shrunk and Pink”: High-Performance Portwest Women’s Outerwear

For a long time, the industry approach to women’s workwear was, frankly, a bit of an afterthought. It usually followed a predictable, frustrating pattern: take a men’s jacket, shrink the dimensions, maybe add a splash of pink or a decorative floral stitch, and call it "women's fit." At Michaels Workwear, we’ve heard the complaints loud […]

Easter 2026: When Workwear Meets the Easter Bunny!

Hey everyone, Christian here from Michaels Workwear! Can you believe it’s already the 20th of March? Spring is officially in the air, even if the British weather is still trying to decide whether it wants to be sunny or give us one last frost. But more importantly, we are exactly 16 days away from Easter […]

Embroidered Workwear Vs Printed Workwear: Which Is Better For Your Team?

So you’ve decided it’s time to get some personalised workwear for your team. Brilliant! But now comes the big question: should you go for embroidery or printing? It’s one of the most common questions we get here at Michaels Workwear, and honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Both embroidered and printed workwear have their strengths (and […]