The best women’s workwear for trades in 2024

When you’re out there every day representing yourself on site, you know how important it is to look professional. First impressions are key, they build trust with clients and ensure your working relationship starts on the strongest footing.

To help you look your best and find the right women’s workwear for your trade, we spoke to the team at Workwear Giant. From cargo trousers and overalls to construction clothes, gloves, and boots, we cover it all. Let’s go.

Workwear trousers for ladies

Women’s workwear cargo trousers

Rather than looking overtly like construction worker trousers, women’s cargo trousers often have a slimmer and smarter appearance. This is due to the thick material for safety and plenty of pockets for functionality.

The experts at Workwear Giant recommended one pair in particular:

• Uneek ladies cargo trousers: With single belt loops reinforced for extra strength, two side and two rear pockets with velcro flaps, as well as two thigh pockets with velcro flaps, these women’s workwear cargo trousers are both professional looking and functional.

Checkatrade top tip: If you’re after a smart look, think about how many pockets you really need, as the fewer pockets, the sleeker they can look. Don’t sacrifice functionality too much though, remember you’ll want enough room for your tools and equipment.

Women’s workwear trousers with knee pads

Knee pads are a non-negotiable for a lot of tradespeople, and with good reason. They protect from impact and sustained pressure, meaning you can minimise short and long term damage to ligaments and bones.

Workwear Giant recommended these three unisex options.

• Uneek Super Pro: Featuring two front pockets, tuck away nail pockets, two side pockets, and two back pockets, as well as a wide phone pocket, you won’t be wanting for storage. There’s also a slot tool holder, reflective tabs, and knee pad pockets.
• Regatta Pro: As you might expect from an outdoor clothing brand, these workwear cargo trousers have a water-repellent finish, as well as plenty of pockets (including a ruler pocket and knee pad pockets), and a hammer loop.
• Result Work-Guard: Coming in at the higher end of the price range, these cargo trousers are windproof with pockets-a-plenty and hand warmer side pockets. You’ll get articulated knees, twin needle stitching and a reinforced hem panel, as well as being safe to wash at 60°C.

Checkatrade top tip: You’ll find most women’s workwear trousers have knee pads. When reviewing the options take time to consider the tools you need to carry. Not only that, but what protection will you need for your legs? Do you need to bear in mind any site dangers or perhaps you’re after winter workwear for when the weather turns cold? Once you know these things, you can try to match the trousers’ to your requirements.

Women’s construction trousers

Women’s construction trousers are the ultimate in leg protection and on-site functionality. Often thicker and more robust in design than other workwear trousers, owing to the rigours of construction sites, they’re typically packed with a variety of pockets and safety features.

Workwear Giant recommended the following option.

• Result Work-Guard Lite Unisex Holster Trousers: Water repellent, windproof and breathable, these mid-priced trousers feature a removable front pocket system, two side pockets and two cargo pockets on both legs. You’ll find belt and hammer loops, all-important knee pad pockets and smart contrast stitching.

Checkatrade top tip: The same trouser rules apply as before, think storage. But also think about visibility – on a construction site, you’ll need to be clearly seen at all times for maximum safety. That’s why it’s best to go for ones with any kind of hi-vis element.

Ladies workwear jackets

Workwear Giant offer a whole range of soft shell women’s workwear jackets.

Some of the most popular choices include the Regatta Ladies Octagon Soft Shell, Result Ladies Base Layer Soft and Russell Ladies Soft Shell.

To see which one might work for you, you can check out Workwear Giant’s full range of soft shell jackets.

Women’s workwear gloves

From fingerless gloves and conductive fingertip gloves to thermal insulated options, women’s workwear gloves come in all different styles.

As with all gloves, workwear or not, they are typically unisex and often one-size-fits-all. Although some options do have sizes to choose from. One thing they all have in common is their professional appearance and protective capabilities – check out Workwear Giant’s glove range.

Women’s industrial workwear

When it comes to industrial workwear for women, hi-vis is an essential element. Whether you work on a construction site, in a goods yard, or on a factory floor, you need to be visible and safe.

The Workwear Giant experts recommended an option from Result Safe-Guard.

• Result Safe-Guard Ladies Soft Safety Jacket: Featuring soft polyester padding for comfort and lightness, you get four pockets, including an inner one and a right chest zip one, as well as a long back panel. Reflective tape is present, and it comes in two colour options, with the yellow conforming to EN ISO 20471: 2013 + A1: 2016, and the orange conforming to EN ISO 20471: 2013 + A1: 2016 and RIS-3279-TOM.

What are the best women’s work boots?

When you’re a tradesperson, footwear can be a lifesaver, literally. The right boots will give you the grip, stability, and safety you need to do your job well, without incident.

The best women’s work boots for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Thankfully, the experts at Workwear Giant gave us three popular options, each with a different design style.

• Result Work-Guard Defence S1P SRA Safety Boots: A sleek and modern style work boot, they feature a 200 Joules steel toe cap, steel midsole, and are waterproof and oil-resistant. There’s a padded collar and tongue, a handy hi-vis accent along the bottom, and they conform to EN ISO 20345: 2011 S1P SRA.
• Portwest Steelite Welted SBP HRO Safety Boots: A work boot in the more traditional style, the Portwest has a breathable membrane, 200 Joules steel toe cap, and puncture-resistant steel midsole. They conform to EN ISO 20345: 2011 SRA SBP HRO and feature a fuel, oil, and heat-resistant outsole.
• Regatta Safety Hikers Mudstone S1P: Lightweight and breathable, these hiking boot style work boots are water resistant with a 200 Joules steel toe cap like the others. They have an EVA penetration resistant midsole, moulded EVA footbed, padded collar and tongue, and conform to EN ISO 20345: 2011 S1P.

Checkatrade top tip: When it comes to choosing work boots, think about the threats in your typical working environment. Is there heavy plant machinery? Will you be lifting large items? Will it be slippy or hazardous underfoot? Knowing the answers to these questions will ensure you choose the right footwear.

What are HSE approved boots?

While we’re on the topic of work boots, we thought we’d answer this common question!

In the UK, the HSE is the Health and Safety Executive. They have standards that workwear has to conform to in order to be safe and unable on-site. HSE approved boots means that a pair of work boots conforms to a certain standard, which has been established through an official test.

There are many different regulations and stipulations for footwear in different environments. Thankfully, the team at Workwear Giant only supply work boots that satisfy the strict HSE requirements.

Fancy saving some money on your next workwear order with a discount code?

Did you know that Checkatrade tradespeople are able to get discounts on some of the best brands for workwear? In fact, they can save up to 50% off their workwear and PPE with Workwear Giant.

If you want in on the action, then here’s how you can get money off your workwear – whether it’s for yourself or your team.

Once you’re a Checkatrade tradesperson, you will receive a discount code.

Hopefully, you’re now fully clued up on some great options when it comes to investing in women’s workwear. Of course, we’ve got the guys covered too and have a whole other guide on the best workwear for men.