What is the best tradie workwear in Australia?

Tradie workwear has come a long way from chucking on singlets and stubbies. Feeling comfortable and protected onsite day in and day out is imperative. We spoke to father and son chippy team Gary and Dale Bluschke of Straight Edge Carpentry and building and maintenance all-rounder Tracey Melville from A Helping Hand: Geelong and The Surf Coast about what they look for in quality workwear clothes that cut it today.

The tradie workwear brands and products they recommend are:

• Hard Yakka socks
• Citeco bluetooth ear muffs
• Citeco safety glasses
• Citeco t-shirts
• Citeco long sleeve work shirts
• Hard Yakka boots
• Green Hip workwear for women
• Mechanix Wear speedknit gloves
• Citeco respirator

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) when required on the job. Always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

What should you look for in Australian tradie workwear?

1. Comfort and durability: Workwear must be comfortable for long days on the job and durable enough to withstand tough conditions.

2. Essential safety gear/PPE: Never compromise on personal protective equipment (PPE), including appropriate eye protection, hearing protection and flexible gloves for hand safety.

3. Sun protection options: In Australia, we work in the elements, so opt for workwear with high UPF ratings, long sleeves with breathable panels and wide-brimmed hats to ensure adequate sun safety.

4. Quality footwear: A good pair of work boots is vital for comfort, support and protection throughout the day. Consideration should be given to ankle support and the weight of the boot for maximum comfort.

5. Choose workwear based on your individual needs/wants: Look for practical designs that allow for ease of movement, including plus size options. For women in trades, seek out brands, such as female workwear brand Green Hip, that offer well-fitting and purpose-built garments.

What’s the best workwear recommended by Dale?

Name: Dale Bluschke

Trade/business name: Straight Edge Carpentry

Years in the trade: More than 17 years

Q: What do you look for in workwear clothing?

A: Something comfortable that lasts. It’s that simple. Even little things can make your day harder if you’re always just a bit uncomfortable. I love Hard Yakka socks, for example. They’re such a simple thing, but they fit and feel good, and that makes a difference.

Q: Ear protection is often overlooked by people who say they need to communicate, what’s your solution?

A: There is that line between being able to hear what’s going on around you, but Citeco Bluetooth earmuffs are a great idea. You can play some music, take a call and keep the noise of the site down at the same time.

Q: And what about eye protection? How important is that?

A: If you’re using a power tool of any sort or there’s dust and debris around, put your safety glasses on, for sure. Citeco ones are UV safe and polarised wraparounds, with great side coverage, which is important, and Dad’s got a pair that just slips over his normal glasses!

Q: For sun safety, do you wear long or short sleeves onsite?

A: I like shorts and a t-shirt in summer, they’re just easier to work in I find, but I get actual workwear and it lasts longer and feels better. The Citeco t-shirt, for example, has UPF 50+ protection and a front pocket that’s very useful!

What’s the best tradie workwear recommended by Gary?

Name: Gary Bluschke

Trade/business name: Straight Edge Carpentry

Years in the trade: 47

Q: How has safety gear changed since you started out?

A: Back in the day we didn’t put too much thought into it. It was tank tops and stubbies, maybe a pair of sunnies for eye protection and that was about it. But we’ve all learned a lot since then and what’s available now is so much better.

Q: What’s most important to you when choosing workwear?

A: The right gear can protect you but also make you a lot more comfortable through a long day. I look for good cover, sun protection, but most importantly something you can move in all day.

Q: For sun safety, do you wear long or short sleeves onsite?

A: We used to go for short sleeves to stay cool, but the long sleeve work shirt I am wearing today [Citeco Yellow/Navy Long Sleeve Taped Shirt Hi Vis, I/N: 0816560] is a great example of how work clothes have changed. It’s got a breathable panel at the back and under the armpits, so it’s a lot more comfortable to wear in warm weather and still sun safe.

Q: How important is a good work boot?

A: Very! But they’ve got to be comfortable and light enough to wear all day. The Hard Yakka boots give great support around the ankle and great protection over the whole foot. The support is definitely there without it being too heavy.

Tracey’s take on the best back-to-work workwear

Name: Tracey Melville

Trade/business name: A Helping Hand: Geelong and The Surf Coast

Years in the trade: 15

Q: What do you look for in workwear clothing?

A: It’s a lot harder for women to get changed onsite, so you have to prepare for what’s coming through the day. Clothes like Green Hip that are made with a woman in mind… that’s a change, I can tell you!

Q: You tried out the Green Hip gear, how does it measure up?

A: It’s just awesome! So many work clothes are not made for a woman’s body, so they’ll be tight in the chest and hang loose below the belt. These are comfortable, you can move in them and they look great.

Q: How do you balance protecting your hands with being able to easily handle tools and materials?

A: Gloves are often a problem, they can be bulky and make it hard to pick up tools or things you need. The Mechanix Wear Speedknit pair have full protection, but they’re still light and flexible enough so you don’t have those problems.

Q: You paint and are working with dust, what PPE do you use?

A: For most work a regular mask is fine, but if you're spray painting or using a chemical that gives off dangerous fumes something like a Citeco respirator is vital. You need to take the time to find one that fits and keep it with you.

Keep in mind…

When using power tools, always use the recommended safety gear.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about tradie workwear

1. What should I look for in a work boot?

Whether you need a low-cut shoe or boot will depend on if you’re mostly outdoors or working inside, if a steel cap is required for the site and how much ankle support you need. Not sure? Ask the boss!

2. How important is sun safety in workwear?

If you’re outdoors, it’s very important! Look for a high SPF factor in your shirts, long sleeves, if possible, plus a wide-brimmed hat or kepi-style caps to protect the neck – and always opt for sunscreen!

3. Should I wear goggles or glasses?

For light tool use, good safety glasses are a minimum, but for anything that throws dust, sparks or debris – a grinder, for instance – goggles that completely cover the eyes are a must.

4. What hearing protection is best?

With any power tool, the chance of hearing damage over time is possible, so slip on earmuffs or plugs at all times. If you need comms while working, look at some Bluetooth options.

5. Can female tradespeople wear male workwear?

Yes, they can, but it will come down to individual needs and wants as some clothing is specifically designed for males and may not be as comfortable to wear for females. Green Hip is a female workwear brand that is highly rated by women in construction for its comfort, support and ease of wear while on the job.