Workwear, safety gear and PPE are a standard part of the job, but as Portwest sets out to prove, standard doesn’t have to mean dull.
With more than 1,400 styles across 23 ranges, the global workwear manufacturer produces kit that’s sturdy and reliable, and – just as importantly – looks good.
“Fashion is important to a lot of our market,” says Tim Hudson, Portwest Area Manager, talking to us at InstallerSHOW 2026. “So we make sure our workwear is up to date.”
Showing off a reversible gilet – workwear navy on one side, a pints-ready burnt orange on the other – Hudson nods to the old phrase, ‘pub range’. “Guys want an outfit they can wear straight to the pub without looking like they’re still at work.”
Hudson anticipates a lot of workwear brands following their lead. “We’ll start seeing more colours, and with the weather as it is, more breathable fabrics and options for layering – vests, polo shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, and so on. It used to be about keeping people warm and dry. Now it’s increasingly about thin, breathable and lightweight materials.”
But it’s not just about style – Portwest’s products are designed with functionality in mind, too. Hudson points to the brand’s DX4 range that includes kneepad work trousers and built-in lifting belts. “The wearer doesn’t have to buy additional kit – it’s built into the garment,” says Hudson. “And it’s all designed to provide easy movement and flexibility, as well as looking good.”
