Choosing yacht crew uniform and clothing suppliers

With thanks to Taylor Made Designs and Sea Design

---

As a superyacht owner or charter guest steps aboard, the first thing they will notice is the appearance of the crew, and the upkeep of their uniforms.

As any experienced stew will know, there is a lot to consider when designing, ordering, and caring for yacht crew uniforms. A reputable crew uniform supplier is therefore an invaluable ally to have. 

With this in mind, Yachting Pages presents a guide to choosing reputable superyacht uniform and clothing suppliers. Here are some tips for shortlisting them to create beautiful uniforms that will stand the test of time.

Finding a reputable and reliable crew uniform and clothing supplier

Finding a reputable and reliable uniform provider is essential to any crew clothing and uniform update. A dynamic working relationship will account for a seamless process from first brief through to delivery. 

Ed Taylor, founder of Taylor Made Designs (TMD) summarised, “Honesty, commitment, professionalism, reliability, communication, expertise, attention-to-detail, consultation, hard-work and experience are the most important factors expected of a reputable uniform provider.”

Helen Smallwood of Smallwood’s Yachtwear added, “There are many things to consider when selecting a uniform provider. It’s not all about fashion and the initial delivery. It's also about the follow-up and ongoing service provided to maintain a successful programme. A good provider understands the industry and the customer needs, listens, and is professional. It’s a luxury market, so high standards must be offered in any aspect of the relationship.” 

Where to look for your yacht uniform supplier

Yacht crew uniform suppliers are easy to find with a quick search online, but how do you find a reputable supplier with experience? One that will understand your brief, budget, and challenges on board?

Helen explained, “When choosing a uniform supplier, the customer should consider the following questions: Is this supplier reliable and does it have superyacht industry expertise? Where can I find their showroom(s) and can I get there easily? Will this supplier be able to deliver worldwide and what is its delivery time?”

To find initial leads, yacht crew should look for:

Word-of-mouth recommendations

When choosing your next crew uniform supplier, it’s likely that you will seek word-of-mouth recommendations. Any experienced stew or yacht management company will likely have a wealth of experience of dealing with uniform suppliers and brands from around the world. Make sure to tap into this knowledge when the chance arises.

Examples of beautiful uniforms

When looking for a new uniform supplier, it’s likely that you will be drawn to the beautiful uniforms of well-dressed crew in the marinas around the world. Once you've seen one you like, be sure to ask about the service provided before asking for their suppliers' details. Beautiful uniforms don't always mean seamless service, after all.

Oustanding online business reviews

When cruising a lesser-travelled corner of the globe, or seeking a second opinion, head online again! Online business reviews posted on marine search engines such as Yachting Pages can help you to pick out the best performers from the underperformers.

Shortlisting crew uniform suppliers

Once shortlisted, a meeting with the candidates will help you to decide whether they are a good fit in regards to their work ethic and ability to meet requirements. Remember, a happy customer is a returning customer, so the majority of suppliers will always work hard to satisfy your requirements. However, there might be one that stands out in particular in the service or products that they offer.

Bear in mind that timing can sometimes be an issue for uniform companies. When clothing is bespoke (as it often is in the superyacht industry), the turnaround is not immediate. It’s therefore important to plan ahead and give as much of a lead time as possible.

---

Read about the current trends in yacht crew uniform design, or follow the order process from brief to delivery.