A practical mechanic uniform is a dark work shirt, work pants with reinforced knees, and a polo for whoever runs the front counter, all in colours that match and carrying the same logo. Darker shirts and pants tend to show grease marks less than light colours between washes. Here are the styles we'd point a workshop towards, and where each one falls short.
On the workshop floor: shirts that move with you
Under a bonnet you're reaching and twisting all day, so stretch and a sensible pocket layout matter more than looks.
For a full crew in one colour, the Pilbara RM200CF is where we'd start. It's a 150gsm mercerised, double pre-shrunk 100% cotton twill shirt with twin needle stitching, bar tacks and two button-down chest pockets, in sizes XS to 6XL and more than 20 colours, including Charcoal, Black, French Navy and Diesel. As the name says, it's a closed front shirt, so it goes on over the head. Its listing doesn't mention stretch, so it relies on a comfortable fit rather than give in the fabric.
If stretch matters most, the FXD LSH-1 is listed as 185gsm "360 Degree Stretch Cotton" with a tailored fit, roll sleeves and dual pockets, in Black, Khaki or Navy. Sizes run S to 3XL, so bigger sizes may need another style, and check 3XL in Black with us before you order. For the drill, ripstop or polo decision across other trades, see our branded work shirts for trades guide.
Two-tone shirts and the hi vis question
Most two-tone work shirts we list are hi vis. The Ritemate RM1050, for example, is 190gsm cotton twill in Orange/Navy, Yellow/Bottle or Yellow/Navy, and the listing states it meets AS/NZS 1906.4:2023 for high visibility material and AS 4602.1:2024 for day wear. It suits techs who do roadside callouts or work around a yard with vehicles moving. Whether your bays need hi vis at all is a call for your own safety plan, not your uniform supplier. Our hi vis day and night guide explains what the ratings cover. If you'd like the two-tone look without hi vis, the front counter polos below have it.
Work pants and shorts
Mechanics kneel on concrete and work under hoists, so look for reinforced knees and stretch. Two from our work pants collection that suit a workshop:
- The RMX Flexible Fit Utility Trousers RMX001 are 300gsm stretch cotton twill with 2% elastane, a "Reinforced Knee Patch and Heel Patch", a glove clip on the front left belt loop, phone pockets and a YKK zip. They come in Black, Dark Navy or Tan, in regular, stout and long leg sizes, and the regular sizes carry a women's equivalent (72R is a women's 8). The knee patch is reinforcement, not a knee pad pocket; the listing doesn't mention pads.
- The Bisley BPC6338 is a 280gsm cotton and spandex stretch canvas cargo pant with a double layer knee, Cordura on high stress areas, a crotch gusset "to prevent splitting", tool loops and an elastic waistband with an internal drawcord. It comes in Black, Charcoal, Navy or Stone. It's a men's pant in regular and stout sizes only, with no long leg listed.
For hot days, the RMX001S mid leg shorts use the same 300gsm stretch cotton in the same three colours, but check your workshop rules allow shorts before ordering them. Our work shorts guide covers leg lengths, and our women's fit guide covers women's cuts. If your team already wears a particular brand, our King Gee and Hard Yakka guides go through their ranges.
For the dirtiest jobs, some workshops put the team in overalls over their clothes instead. Our overalls and coveralls guide compares the styles.
At the front counter
Your service advisor is the person customers talk to, so their uniform should look a step tidier than the floor while clearly belonging to the same business. A polo in the same colour family does that.
- The Aussie Pacific Keira 1306 is 180gm 80% polyester and 20% cotton with a cotton back pique knit, a raglan sleeve, side splits and what the listing calls a "Dri-wear antibacterial finish". Men's sizes run S to 3XL plus 5XL (there's no 4XL), with Black and Navy also in 7XL to 9XL; the women's Keira 2306 runs 6 to 26 in the same seven colours, including Black, Navy and Slate.
- The Aussie Pacific Eureka 1304 is a 160gm polyester mini waffle knit with a contrast panel and highlight piping, so you get a two-tone look in colourways like Black/Red, Navy/Gold or Orange/Charcoal. Men's sizes run S to 3XL plus 5XL, again with no 4XL, and there's a women's version.
Both men's listings note a loose pocket is included, so mention it when we talk about where your logo goes. Neither listing claims any protective rating, so keep them for the counter rather than the hoist. If your advisors would rather wear a business shirt, our corporate shirts guide covers those, and our polo fits guide explains how men's and women's polos differ.
Putting the workshop name on it
A logo on the left chest of every shirt and polo, in the same thread colour, ties the floor and the counter together. Our embroidery or printing guide explains why cotton twill takes embroidery well and why a small embroidered logo suits the left chest of a polo. Our FAQ sets out the approval step: every new embroidery setup comes to you as a sample by text or email, and we need your approval before your order goes ahead.
When you know who needs what, send us the styles, colours and sizes for the floor and the counter, plus your logo, through our custom workwear enquiry form, and we'll come back with a quote.
