Why polycotton remains a workwear staple
In the world of uniforms, polycotton is one of the most trusted workwear fabrics, combining measurable performance with all day comfort, both essential in today’s demanding workwear sector. The most widely used blend, 65% polyester and 35% cotton (65/35), brings together the strength of synthetics with the comfort of natural fibres, making it ideal for hardwearing, easy-care uniforms and industrial apparel.
Some of the stats that make polycotton one of the most popular fabric blends for workwear include:
- 50% more abrasion resistance than 100% cotton*
- 25% fewer clothing replacements over the lifespan of a garment**
- Up to 50% less shrinkage after repeated industrial washing***
- 10% lower CO₂ emissions compared to 100% cotton equivalents**
- 50% more colour fastness than other blends*
- 100% recycled polyester traceability when using REPREVE® fibres+
- Easy care finishing of garments compared to 100% Cotton
These statistics make polycotton a strategic workwear fabric choice for procurement teams balancing cost, durability, environmental goals and wearer comfort.
At Carrington Textiles, polycotton features across our wide range of workwear fabrics, including our best-selling products Tomboy and Teredo.
And as sustainability takes centre stage in sourcing decisions, REPREVE® recycled polyester offers a verified pathway to circularity, with traceable recycled content built into the fibre from the start. Fabrics like our Delamere range (195gsm, 210gsm and 245gsm) include REPREVE® in the blend for outstanding performance while reducing our impact on the environment.
In terms of cotton sustainability, all Carrington Textiles fabrics containing the fibre support Better Cotton, an initiative that promotes sustainable farming practices to improve the environment and farmer livelihoods, while ensuring high quality cotton for end users.
Although it may not replace specialist protective textiles like flame retardant or antistatic fabrics, polycotton remains an essential option in workwear fabrics, proving that high performance doesn’t always require high complexity.
Sources: *Carrington Textiles | **ETSA | ***TSA | +Only available when using REPREVE® fibres