As temperatures drop, it’s time to get your team ready for the colder months. What’s the best winter uniform for your team – knitted jumpers, cardigans, hoodies, or jackets? Which work uniforms offer comfort, durability, and a smart appearance?
At Brandistry, we specialise in winter work uniforms for a wide range of industries including retail, offices, hospitality, construction, trades, healthcare, and education. We can help you find the right options for your team.
Hoodies vs Knitted Jumpers: What works best for your team?
Different work environments need different uniform styles. Some teams prefer the casual comfort of hoodies and sweatshirts, while others want jumpers and cardigans for a neat, layered look that keeps them warm.
- Hoodies and fleece crew necks suit construction, trades, logistics, and active roles. They’re practical, warm, and easy to brand.
- Knitted jumpers and cardigans are ideal for offices, customer-facing roles, and healthcare settings, offering warmth with a tidy finish.
Many businesses provide both styles, creating role-specific layering options within one uniform system.
How to choose the right fabric for comfort, climate and durability
When choosing a knit jumper or cardigan, the choice of fabric can often be confusing. They often look the same but feel and perform differently. Here’s a breakdown of some of the different fabrics:
- Merino Wool
Merino wool is a high-performance natural fibre, known for breathability and temperature regulation. It insulates in cold weather, stays cool when warm, and naturally resists odour — perfect for teams moving between indoor and outdoor work. Soft against the skin and lightweight, merino is popular for layering without bulk. - Cotton
Cotton is durable, breathable, easy to care for, and comfortable to wear. Heavier cotton knits and fleece styles are great for winter, providing softness and structure. Cotton blends also hold embroidery well and keep their shape after repeated washing — ideal for high-use uniform items. - Acrylic
Acrylic is a common wool alternative that offers warmth without weight. It resists shrinking and fading, holds colour well, and dries quickly — making it a good choice for busy teams needing reliable, low-maintenance gear. Acrylic jumpers and cardigans are cost-effective and suit indoor work environments. - Viscose (or Rayon)
Viscose adds a soft, silky feel to knitwear, often blended with cotton or acrylic to improve drape and comfort. It creates a smoother finish and a more refined look — great for branded knitwear where comfort and appearance both matter. Often found in office-appropriate cardigans and jumpers.
Winter layers for tradies
Construction and trade teams need layers that work as hard as they do. Our best-selling water-resistant hoodies, available in standard and hi vis, are built for NZ conditions — made to withstand tough use while still looking good after hours.
These garments layer easily over thermals or tees, making them a year-round uniform staple.
Branded winter layers for every industry
If you need custom hoodies for field staff or embroidered knitwear for the office, Brandistry can help. We supply branded winter uniforms to teams across New Zealand, with a wide range of styles, fits, and fabrics to suit your needs.
We offer in-house embroidery, DTF printing, and screen printing, with fittings and fabric samples available from our Auckland showroom.
Need help planning your winter uniform refresh?
Visit our Auckland showroom or get in touch online. We’ll help you find the right mix of garments, fabrics, and branding options for your team.