Textile Insight

textileinsight.com Winter 2023 ~ Textile Insight • 17 W ith climate change happening, women occupying more industry jobs and individuals seeking out clothing and footwear that is more comfortable to wear, brands are hustling to accommodate today's market trends. To find out what's working in workwear, we talked with three brands getting the job done. Truewerk: Performance-Inspired, Customizable Apparel Truewerk's founder Brian Ciciora got his start building homes in the mountains of Colorado. He was tired of his cotton and canvas work pants soaking through in the cold, wintry elements. As an avid skier, he recognized the benefits of wearing the stretchy, element-proof gear. So why not bring similar textiles into workwear? Just as athletes perform, "the trade professionals that quite literally build our communities, perform physically demanding tasks every day," explained Luedke. Trade professionals have evolved to be much more than workers — they own small businesses, they are artists, they have family obligations aer work. So Truewerk created a Workwear System to accommodate. "An integrated system of layers is designed to work in tandem for ultimate comfort, stretch, and protection from the elements," the exec noted, with base layers that wick sweat, mid layers that insulate, and shells that protect. e System "also allows you to feel professional, confident, and capable whether meeting with a client, hitting the hiking trails or at your daughter's dance recital," Luedke added. e Garment: For Spring '23, Truewerk released its first hot weather overall, the T1, in men's and women's fits. ey are craed in a lightweight soshell material with four-way stretch, regulate temperature, and resist tears and abrasions. e double-woven, nylon/polyester/spandex material is breathable and has a wicking finish on the interior. ey have an easy fit waist and zippered chest pockets for storing essentials. Cordura: Collaborating to Deliver Durability Launched by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) in 1929 and now owned by Invista, Cordura is a heritage brand that has modernized by becoming a primary ingredient in high-performance gear and apparel including footwear, backpacks, military/tactical wear and workwear. Durability and abrasion-resistance make the heritage brand stand out. "We are seeing a range of interest from traditional workwear such as uniforms, to less traditional pieces such as women's workwear," said Cindy McNaull, brand business development director for Invista. While durability is a common denominator, a younger generation of workers is more dialed into style, function, fit and comfort through stretch and lightweight materials. "Workwear is utilitarian and protective, much Workwear featuring fabrics by Cordura.

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