11 November 2025
the different types of care home uniforms
Uniforms play a vital role in care homes. They aid in infection control, staff safety, and creating a sense of professionalism that reassures residents and their families. With so many different roles within care settings, a single care home uniform style cannot cover every requirement. Instead, there are multiple styles and designs, each suited to the specific tasks staff carry out every day.
At alsico, we understand that well-designed uniforms improve comfort, hygiene, and confidence at work. By providing a wide choice of care home uniforms, we help care providers support their teams while meeting industry standards and regulatory guidance.
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why are care home uniforms important?
Uniforms in care settings serve several key purposes:
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professional identity
Uniforms make staff easily identifiable, which is reassuring for residents, relatives, and visitors.
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infection control
Specially designed fabrics and laundering requirements ensure that uniforms help reduce the spread of infection.
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practicality & comfort
Staff often work long, physical shifts. A suitable care home uniform needs movement, comfort, and durability.
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equality & inclusivity
Providing the right fit, design, and sizing ensures every staff member feels supported and professional in their role.
who needs a care home uniform?
A care home is a single team made up of many roles — each with its own unique uniform needs. From front-of-house staff to nursing teams, the right clothing supports professionalism, safety and comfort across the entire operation.
At alsico, we understand that every role plays a part in delivering exceptional care. Our extensive range of uniforms means your entire workforce — from admin to catering, care to facilities — can look professional, feel comfortable and work safely in garments made to suit their environment.
Administration and reception
These teams are often the first point of contact for residents, families and visitors. Smart, comfortable blouses, shirts and trousers help them present a welcoming, professional image that reflects the care home’s standards.
Catering
Chefs and kitchen staff require specialist garments designed to withstand heat, maintain hygiene and allow ease of movement. Chefswear from alsico combines durability with lightweight, breathable fabrics that keep staff comfortable during busy service times.
Care staff
Clinical team members rely on nursing tunics, trousers and scrubs that prioritise comfort, freedom of movement and easy laundering. alsico’s healthcare ranges are designed with these needs in mind — balancing professional appearance with everyday practicality.
Facilities and maintenance
For these teams, hard-wearing workwear is essential. From polo shirts and cargo trousers to protective outerwear, alsico garments are built to handle demanding tasks and frequent washing, ensuring both safety and long-lasting performance.
common types of care home uniforms
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tunics
Tunics are one of the most common types of care home uniform. Lightweight, easy to wash, and designed for practicality, tunics allow freedom of movement while maintaining a professional appearance. They are often paired with trousers and may include features such as side vents, secure pockets, and contrast trims.
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scrubs
Originally associated with hospitals, scrubs are increasingly popular in care homes. Their simple design, short sleeves, and durable fabric make them hygienic and easy to launder at high temperatures. Scrubs also allow flexibility in care home uniform colours, making it easy to assign different shades for different roles.
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dresses
Some staff prefer dresses as part of their care home uniform. Modern uniform dresses are designed with practicality in mind, with lightweight fabrics, modest cuts, and durable finishes that withstand industrial laundering.
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polo shirts
Some care providers opt for polo shirts as a more casual option for certain roles. Breathable and comfortable, polos may be used for non-clinical staff such as catering teams or activities coordinators.
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trousers
Uniform trousers are typically made from hardwearing, easy-care fabrics. Options with elasticated waists or drawstrings support comfort during long shifts. Designs are important to ensure staff can bend, stretch, and move without restriction.
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outerwear
Care home work doesn’t stop at the door. For staff who need to accompany residents outside or work in gardens, outdoor jackets, fleeces, or waterproofs provide an additional protective layer. These garments must be easy to clean and suitable for care settings.
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blouses
Reception and admin teams are the face of any care home. Professional blouses help create a polished, consistent look that reflects trust and attention to detail, whilst lightweight, breathable fabrics keep staff comfortable during long shifts.
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chefswear
Catering teams play a vital role in maintaining residents’ health and wellbeing, and their uniforms must balance hygiene, comfort and durability. Chefswear provides essential protection against heat and spills, whilst allowing freedom of movement in a busy kitchen environment.
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general workwear
Maintenance and facilities teams keep care homes running smoothly, often working across a variety of environments and tasks. Their uniforms need to be durable, practical and comfortable, providing protection and ease of movement throughout the day.
care home uniform colours
Colour is an important part of the uniform strategy. Care home uniform colours help residents, families, and colleagues easily identify staff roles. For example:
- Nurses and senior carers may wear navy or royal blue
- Care assistants might be assigned lighter colours such as lilac or pale blue
Using care home uniform colours in this way not only improves organisation but also helps residents quickly recognise who is caring for them. This is particularly beneficial for residents who may rely on visual cues.
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care home uniform policy
A robust care home uniform policy provides consistency across the organisation and helps staff understand expectations. Every care provider should have a clear care home uniform policy that covers:
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standards for hygiene & cleanliness
Uniforms must be washed at appropriate temperatures and not worn outside of the workplace.
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fit and appearance
Garments should be clean, neat, and professional at all times.
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role-based guideline
Different roles may require different types of care home uniforms or specific colours.
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personalisation and branding
Many policies include embroidery of logos or staff names to reinforce professionalism.
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inclusivity
Policies should ensure uniforms are available in a size range and offer designs suitable for all staff.
how alsico supports care homes
At alsico, we specialise in designing care home uniforms that balance comfort, hygiene, and durability. Our ranges are built with input from healthcare professionals and tested in real-world environments to ensure they meet the demands of daily care work.
Key features of our care home solutions include:
- Fabric innovation: Garments that withstand high-temperature laundering and industrial washes.
- Wearer-focused design: Ergonomic cuts, stretch panels, and soft finishes for comfort.
- Inclusivity: Uniforms designed for both men and women, with a wide range of sizes.
- Colour options: A variety of care home uniform colours to support role differentiation.
- Sustainability: Commitment to environmentally conscious production and garment end-of-life recycling.
By combining innovation with experience, we create care home uniforms that support staff in delivering high-quality care while maintaining a professional image.
care home uniforms you can trust
At alsico, we supply high-quality uniforms that meet the practical demands of care work while supporting inclusivity, hygiene, and staff wellbeing. By focusing on design, fabric innovation, and sustainability, we help care providers give their teams uniforms they can rely on every day.
frequently asked questions
Tunics, scrubs, polo shirts, trousers, dresses, and outerwear are all common in care settings.
They are lightweight, hygienic, and practical, offering staff comfort and ease of movement.
Colours help distinguish roles and make it easier for residents and families to identify staff.
No. Uniforms vary depending on roles, with clinical staff, care assistants, catering teams, and managers often wearing different styles or colours.
Hygiene standards, laundering requirements, role-based guidelines, fit expectations, and branding details are all typically included in a care home policy for uniforms.
At high temperatures, following the care label, to remove bacteria and meet hygiene standards.
It depends on use and laundering frequency, but high-quality uniforms are designed to withstand repeated industrial washing cycles.
learn more about the environments we supply into
Environments
wearer protection
Protection is weaved into every part of alsico, we build it into everything we do and it drives our every decision. Our protective workwear range covers all high-safety sectors.
Environments
healthcare
We are one of the largest healthcare uniform suppliers in the UK, and are the majority supplier for the new NHS National Healthcare Uniform project.
Environments
workwear
At alsico, we have shown excellence in a wide range of work uniforms, ranging from warehousing to global travel companies and from transportation to construction.
Environments
electrification
Our passion for creating innovative fabrics has positioned us as a key supplier in the exciting new sector of electrical safety clothing, from battery companies to aerospace, to all anti-static environments.
Environments
contamination control
We have developed a specialism in cleanroom clothing and uniforms, delivering exceptional performance in highly controlled environments.
Environments
emergency response
We are always honored to be asked to provide workwear for our emergency services teams. We put our trust in them to help to look after us, and we do our very best in return, delivering performance when it matters.
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