Dickies®  POLO SHIRTS

This is supposed to be the What’s New Monday where we feature new items from our website, Uniform Point. Since, I have been featuring new items through my other updates, we decided to just put a product under the spotlight today.

Today, the spotlight is on two polo shirts from one of the trusted names in workwear apparel. Though the youth may know the brand Dickies for their fashionable and trendy pants and the casual tees, they actually have a proud heritage of providing tough, quality clothing to American workers for more than 87 years.Dickies® has an extensive range of innovative and durable work apparel but also ventured in meeting the needs of their customers for quality after work clothing. Their unpretentious image has transcended generations and socio-economic boundaries as you can see the workwear apparel become trendy and the Dickies product appeals to typical American workers also appeals to fashion trendsetters, from construction worker to nurses to college students, to name a few.  Customers can be thankful that Dickies continues to evolve and display innovation in their workwear design to meet the changing demands of their customers.

Polo shirts though used to be worn by tennis players earning the term tennis shirt, also gained followers in other sports and thus earned the moniker polo shirt as well as golf shirt though the polo shirt underwent some changes to adapt to the need of the sport. Compared to other apparel, the polo shirts are a little bit more formal than t-shirts but a little more casual than button-down dress shirts but still being a little dressy. Thus polo shirts are often worn in settings where t-shirts are not acceptable but formal business attire is not required. Due to its rugged casualness and style, these were worn by those who work outside of the office such as maintenance workers and groundskeepers. In the 90s it became a part of the business casual apparel as those who work in high-tech industries favored the polo shirts as workwear. Over the years, the polo shirts has become a part of the school uniforms, sports team uniforms, and favorite corporate giveaways simply because the company logo can be embroidered or screen printed on it and still look a little bit more formal than t-shirts and flexible enough to be worn with jeans and slacks.

[DI-WS449] - Dickies Men's Short Sleeve Mini Piqué Polo(starting at $13.95)

A Dickies classic fit mini Piqué work shirt is with a moisture wicking feature and it's made of 6.8 oz. /230 gm. 100% cotton fabric. It comes with a single roomy inset welt pocket for storing items, rib knit collar, short set-in sleeves, three button taped placket, three logo horn buttons and drop tail.

• Classic Fit
• Moisture wicking
• Inset welt pocket
• Rib knit collar
• 3 button taped placket
• Logo horn buttons
• Drop tail
• 6.8 oz Mini Pique , 100% Cotton

This polo shirt is available in other colors including: Black, Cadet Blue, Amber, Willow, Dark Navy, English Red, Heather Gray, and White.

Manufacturer: Dickies

Uniform Point Apparel Style Code: DI-WS449

Sizes: M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL

[DI-WS415] - Dickies Men Short Sleeve Slub Jersey Polo Shirt (starting at $14.95)

Dickies features this men's polo shirt made with 6 oz and 100% ring-spun jersey cotton. This classic fit shirt has a taped neck and shoulders for the best fit possible. It wicks moisture away from the skin. The design includes a rib knit collar with taped neck, elbow length sleeves, metal logo buttons, side vents and dropped tail. It's shipped on a hanger and tagless for comfort.

• Classic fit & moisture wicking
• Rib knit collar with taped neck
• >Metal logo buttons
• Side vents and dropped tail
• Tagless for comfort
• 100% cotton

This polo shirt is available in other colors including: Black, Dark Navy, Smoke, Seaweed, Lake Blue and Maize.

Manufacturer: Dickies

Uniform Point Apparel Style Code: DI-WS415

Sizes: M L XL 2XL 3XL

Use this chart for converting neck or/and chest sizes to S, M L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, or 5XL size. Measure your chest size and neck to determine which size fits you best.

Fashion experts have always said that color is the simplest way to update your wardrobe, whether it is your work uniforms, corporate clothing or casual polo shirts and t-shirts. Adding a few cool-weather pieces in the most popular hues will help you stay as trendy as the next red carpet walker throughout the fall and winter. No need to empty your pockets with a very expensive wardrobe overhaul, just add a few pieces that coordinate well with the basic cuts and colors you have in your wardrobe and voila you are on your way to a fashionable wardrobe.

Deep Plum, Eggplant or Phlox
Plum, eggplant, and purple are rich shades and perfect color choices for fall. This rich shade of purple practically screams class and elegance. A few pieces will add pizzazz to what might be boring corporate clothing or even the most casual of outfits. Invest in some casual and cheap polo shirts, inexpensive but classy corporate shirts, and even spa wear and medical scrubs.

Polo shirt, corporate shirt and plain t-shirt in Plum

Dark Teal and Jade
Teal is a medium blue-green color which is definitely perfect for autumn. There are different shades of teal like depending if it’s more bluish than green which makes it teal blue or teal that is more of a deep green/greenish-blue color which makes it more dark teal. Some tones of color close to teal are jade, turquoise, tropical rain forest, steel teal, emerald, and malachite and sky blue. You can wear it on its own, like a coordinated medical scrub tops and pants, or pair it with neutrals to add a little color to it.

Medical scrubs in Jade

Port and Company Essential T-shirt in Jade

Taupe or Coffee Liqueúr
Taupe is a pretty mix between a cool gray and an earthy brown, so definitely the ultimate neutral color. Since earth color is pretty much favored in this time of year, taupe is going to be uber popular this season. A pair of all-weather boots or a warm and snug outerwear or warm-up jacket in taupe will give you a trendy yet practical ready for a cold-spell look.

Cherokee Warm-up jacket in Taupe

Silver, Gray, or Quarry
A classic fall favorite is the color gray but for this year the gray goes a little silvery. Perfect to mix and match with other colors and is so versatile it goes with almost every type of shade be it in a lovely plain t-shirt or a ladies corporate shirts in long or short sleeves. Medical scrub pants and tops are also available in this sophisticated color making you stylish even in a hospital setting.

Short sleeve and long sleeve corporate shirts

Mustard, Lemon Yellow or Bamboo
Mustard yellow or lemons yellow or bamboo is going to be a huge favorite throughout fall and winter. And what makes this color very popular is that it would look awesome paired with any of the fall hues mentioned above. Complement it with taupe or silver to create a really chic look. Match it with deep plum or dark teal and create an autumn-themed look.

Sport Tek Polo Shirt in Mustard Yellow

Rust Hues, Rusty Orange or Burnt Sienna
A more masculine orange Burnt Sienna is a standard fall classic. It is describes as a warm mid brown color. Though women can easily use corporate polo shirts in rusty hues, a more masculine style could make use of Burnt Sienna as vibrant accents to add a splash of vivid color to your outfit.

Polo shirts from Port Authority in Rust Hues

Other fall colors are Magenta or Raspberry Wine, Orchid Hush for women and Cadet for men, and Bright Red.

Port Authority - Ladies Silk Touch Interlock Cardigan in Magenta and Bright Red

Plain t-shirts in Orchid Hush and Cadet

To better understand these colors, here is what Pantone, the makers of color dyes, color swatch guides and the world gurus of color have released in their fashion color report for fall 2011. And here is out these color really looks:

Must-have styles are:

Plaids and Polka-Dots

Medical scrubs in plaids

Nursing scrubs with polka dots

Bright Colored Pants and Wide Leg Trousers

Chunky Sweaters and Comfy Pullover Sweater

These are back from last season while plaids and polka dots are classics. Add a few pieces of each and simply color coordinate everything so you can maximize your updated wardrobe. Make sure you also check the colors and styles that you already have and make sure that you can also use those styles with the new colors so it doesn’t go to waste. Don’t let shopping get to you. Online shopping should always a fun experience especially with service oriented ones where you get the best customer support as well as the best choices, prices and deals like free shipping. So, check out your wardrobe right now and enjoy your shopping.

Retail industry is up with estimates that sales will rise 3.5% for November and December combined but hiring plans remain conservative.

Image Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

It has been a slow year and the expected increase in sales would certainly help. Retailers have found ways to face the situation more astutely ever since recession started by not ordering too much inventory and making sure the prices are really affordable or budget-friendly which would ensure more sales and less returns.

It is expected that shoppers are most likely to open their wallets by November and December starting with Black Friday. As everyone knows, Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day which has become traditionally the start of the Christmas season shopping. Though not really a holiday it has also become a tradition that employers are given a day off which increases the number of shoppers and has then been considered the busiest shopping day of the year. Even online clothing stores has its own version of this special shopping day called Cyber Monday where major sales are also introduced and shoppers can purchase at the comforts of their homes.

For the past two years since 2008, retailers rack up their sales through the last two months of the year. The back-to-school sales, which is said to provide the hint of how holiday sales will fare, has so far showed a solid result. Retailers are thus preparing for the holidays by ordering inventory, designing festive window displays and catalogs with some focusing on offering the lowest prices for its shoppers.

Despite the estimated increase in sales, retailers still plan to play it safe with regards to holiday hiring. One-third of retailers plan to hire less seasonal workers while the rest are planning to hire the same level as last year.

Since retailers find that profitability is still elusive because of cost inflation they have hit the limit on their discount. Shoppers both for brick stores and online shopping stores should not expect huge discounts on Black Friday since 89% of retailers are not planning to give deep discounts and hit the limit of their discounts. 

Recently read an article about the emerging green jobs and green economy and one of the comments caught my attention. The commenter asked what green jobs and green economy really meant because he has read article about it but couldn’t really understand what kind of jobs these were.

Last week my topic was also about green jobs and remembered pointing out some of these. But for those who really do not know what green jobs are, let us first define what the word green job means. According to the United Nations Environment Program a green job or green-collar job is “work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development (R&D), administrative, and service activities that contribute(s) substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality.” So basically environmentally conscious job is any job that helps restore our planet’s health, promote environmental protection or as The Climate Institute defines as any job “that contributes to increased sustainability or better environmental outcomes”.

And the article last week showed that there are so many jobs these days that are geared towards environmental sustainability. I focused on only 13 jobs but there are more out there. Some jobs though are generic like urban planner or farmer or architect and it becomes part of the green jobs when what you practice while doing these regular jobs are geared towards environmentally friendly activities. Urban planners figure out the best way to use the land in cities and neighborhoods. Green urban planners make sure these are ecologically sound; takes in consideration “preserving wildlife habitats and finding areas to develop that would least damage the local ecosystem.”

Pundits are now reporting that despite the high unemployment and depressing job growth in our country, environmental sustainability is one industry that is seeing a growth. The new graduates are becoming more interested in green jobs whether in a non-profit organization or otherwise. “Sizing the Clean Economy: A National and Regional Green Jobs Assessment,”  is a report published by Brookings that clearly show that working on solutions to environmental problems are not a drag on federal and state budgets but are in fact creating revenues as well as new jobs. 

According to the Brookings Report, “The "clean" or "green" economy is an important element of America's emerging next economy. It will define our nation's low carbon future while providing opportunity for workers at all levels of the income and skills distributions. In this report, the clean economy is divided into 39 distinct segments, reflecting the economic activity involved in producing a broad spectrum of clean products, from goods such as wind turbines and solar photovoltaics to services such as mass transit and regulation.”

Now one may wonder where it is easy to look for these kinds of jobs. One can find a green job wherever they want to work but according to the Brookings Report:

Among the 21 states with at least 50,000 clean economy jobs, seven states are in the South. Among states, California has the highest number of clean jobs but Alaska and Oregon have the most per worker.
64 percent of all current clean economy jobs and 75 percent of its newer jobs created from 2003 to 2010 are in the nation’s 100 largest metro areas.

Metropolitan area clean economies can be categorized into four-types: 

Service-oriented – clean jobs of this orientation can be found in New York through mass transit, San Francisco through professional services and Las Vegas through architectural services.

Manufacturing - many metros like Louisville; Cleveland; Greenville, SC; and Little Rock—but also San Jose in the West—host clean economies that are heavily manufacturing oriented.

Public sector - state capitals (e.g. Harrisburg, Sacramento, Raleigh, and Springfield) are among those with a disproportionate share of clean jobs in the public sector.

Balanced - some metros such as Atlanta; Salt Lake City; Portland, OR; and Los Angeles balance multi-dimensional clean economies.

Here are some places where you can look for green jobs:

New York, NY-NJ-PA Metropolitan Area - In terms of its overall size the clean economy in the New York metropolitan area ranks 1st among the 100 largest metro areas with 152,034, where the largest segments are in Public Mass Transit, Waste Management and Treatment, Conservation, Professional Environmental Services, and Recycling and Reuse. 

Examples of Clean Economy Employers in New York, NY-NJ-PA Metropolitan Area are:

• Aecom USA Inc (Professional Environmental Services)
• L'Oreal USA Inc (Green Consumer Products)
• Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc (Professional Environmental Services)
• Petra Solar Inc (Solar Photovoltaic)
• Recyclebank LLC (Recycling and Reuse)

Knoxville, TN Metropolitan Area - In terms of its overall size the clean economy may be ranked 31st among the 100 largest metro areas with only 16,135 clean jobs but it has the greatest growth of 14.6 percent annually. The largest segments are in Professional Energy Services, Remediation, Professional Environmental Services, Waste Management and Treatment, and Recycling and Reuse.

Examples of Clean Economy Employers in Knoxville, TN Metropolitan Area are:

• Bechtel Jacobs Co LLC (Remediation)
• Briggs Plumbing Products Inc (Water Efficient Products)
• Electric Power Research Institute (Professional Energy Services)
• Safety & Ecology Corp (Professional Environmental Services)
• UT-Battelle (Professional Energy Services)

Little Rock, AR Metropolitan Area – Ranked 44th in overall size with only 11,934 clean jobs but it has also one of the largest growth at 10.5 percent annually. The largest segments are in Green Consumer Products, Waste Management and Treatment, Regulation and Compliance, Electric Vehicle Technologies, and Conservation. 

Examples of Clean Economy Employers in Little Rock, AR Metropolitan Area are:

• Centria Inc (Energy-saving Building Materials)
• IC Bus LLC (Electric Vehicle Technologies)
• L'Oreal USA Inc (Green Consumer Products)
• LM Glasfiber Inc (Wind)
• Rock-Tenn Co (Recycled-Content Products)

Raleigh, NC Metropolitan Area – It has the 2nd highest green job growth at 13.7 percent annually which has also brought the city’s unemployment rate down. Most of the green jobs are in Regulation and Compliance, Conservation, Public Mass Transit, Waste Management and Treatment, and Energy-saving Building Materials. 

Examples of Clean Economy Employers in Raleight, NC Metropolitan Area are:

• ABB Group (Smart Grid)
• Baker Roofing Co (Green Architecture and Construction Services)
• Elster Solutions LLC (Smart Grid)
• Progress Energy Carolinas Inc (Nuclear Energy)
• Withers & Ravenel Inc (Professional Environmental Services)

Albany, NY Metropolitan Area – In terms of overall size the Albany metropolitan area may only rank 14th with only 28,087 clean jobs but this number makes up 6.3 percent of all jobs in the region making them 1st in terms of concentration or intensity. Most of the green jobs are in Regulation and Compliance, Wind, Professional Energy Services, Conservation, and Public Mass Transit. As the home of General Electric, most jobs are centered in regulation and compliance and wind. Green jobs are also largely driven by the state’s government.

Examples of Clean Economy Employers in Albany, NY Metropolitan Area are:

• Einhorn Yaffee Prescott (Green Architecture and Construction Services)
• General Electric Co (Battery Technologies)
• General Electric Co (Wind)
• MTI Microfuel Cells Inc (Fuel Cells)
• Plug Power Inc (Fuel Cells)

The dot com industry and the start-up trends was the in thing in the late 1990’s and early 2001. During this time, Internet based businesses funded by venture capitals flourished.  But then the dot com bubble burst and hundreds of companies folded and went completely out of business. Thousands of the same companies reduced or were forced by circumstances to reduce their work force. And for those who have planned their mortgages and/or retirements based on the prices of the stocks they held in the technology company they work with or preferred, this was a agonizing time. For those who remained in the dot com industry, they learned to diversify.

These days, although there are graduates still attracted to work in the dot com industry, there is a growing trend gravitating towards jobs in environmental sustainability. Young, ambitious and idealistic young professionals and fresh graduates are now attracted to work or volunteer in green jobs. They want to make a career where they can be of most help or work on something that makes them feel good. Their generation has seen a lot of environmental issues bombarded on multi-media. 

According to the New York Times article I read, the operations director for Idealist.org - a Web site that lists paid and unpaid opportunities for nonprofit groups and social enterprise companies-Amelia Byers said that the number of environmental work related jobs has roughly tripled in the last three years. “A lot of new graduates are coming out of a world where volunteerism and service has been something that has helped define their generation,” she said. “Finding a job with meaning is an important value to them.”

Green jobs are not confined to non-profit sector. There is a growing number of corporations that are including environmental issues such as reducing waste and carbon footprints in their policy. There are also companies focusing on their environmental strategies and activities and their efforts to consider long-term social, environmental and economic impacts when making decisions. Issues like sustainability are thus integrated into their M.B.A education in order that their graduates would be more than ready for these issues.

For those who are interested in working in environmental related jobs, here are some suggestions you can look into:

• Solar Power Installer - Nearly 800,000 jobs in the country are related to making and installing solar power systems. This can include anything from installing solar-thermal water heaters and rooftop. Currently there are more than 3,000 companies nationwide in the solar energy sector. Solar power installers are responsible for planning and setting up the photovoltaic equipment that will provide electricity to the building. Installers work with clients to decide what kind of solar panel structures to install, and what would be the best location to install them. They will be in high demand to help design more environmentally friendly homes and office buildings, reducing energy waste and overall costs.

• Environmental Engineer - Use engineering skills to protect the environment and human health. Environmental engineers work on air-pollution control, water treatment, waste management, alternative energy, and conservation, in both the private sector and government agencies. Considered to be ranked 5 for the Top 100 Best jobs in America by Forbes.com with a median salary of $81,000.

• Environmental Scientist - With the rapid advance of technology and booming urban expansion, human health concerns and environmental health concerns become one in the same in regards to water quality, air quality, and waste management. Environmental scientists will be in demand to help cities keep their people and surrounding environment clean and healthy. Environmental scientists conduct research into factors that could negatively affect people, wildlife, or the environment. These factors include air pollution and water pollution, but the biggest responsibility that environmental scientists usually cover is waste management.

• Environmental Health and Safety Specialist - conducts research or performs investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. Utilizing knowledge of various scientific disciplines may collect, synthesize, study, report, and take action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources. Ranked 22 for Top 100 Best jobs in America by Forbes.com with a median salary of $71,000.

• Solar Community Organizer – A solar community organizer is someone who understands how communities are driven by relationships and who can work within that fabric to make change happen. This is a fun job, where you will help create and run local campaigns to increase solar adoption through classic grassroots organizing and affinity marketing techniques. You’ll be the public face of this Solar Communities program and will need to be excited to embrace lots of public exposure as well as detailed data management in the office.

• Farmer -- There are only 2 million farmers in America, and since organic and sustainable agriculture requires small-scale efforts, there is a huge need for more farmers.

Example of jobs in farming:

Field Manager - for a certified biodynamic farm like Hawthorne Valley Farm

Partners for Sustainable Farm in Reedley, California

Sustainable farmers in Northampton, MA

• Energy Efficiency Builder – Energy efficiency builders are architects who specialize in designing and constructing structures that have less impact on the environment and conserve more energy than typical buildings. Building retrofitting is growing as a business due to increasing government standards and regulations for energy efficiency. As an example of the growing industry, LEED, the major green building certification, alone have more than 43,000 accredited professionals.

• Land Conservation Specialist - is responsible for managing and completing all aspects of conservation projects, including providing guidance to landowners, writing grants, and collaborating with private and public agencies.

• Wind Turbine Fabricator - Buildings accounted for 39.4 percent of the total U.S. energy consumption and to combat these figures, wind power, and thus wind turbine fabricators, will be in high demand to help power homes and office buildings in a more environmentally-friendly way, reducing energy waste and overall costs. Wind turbine fabricators are responsible for designing and installing wind power units. Wind turbines are large structures, and therefore require ample space for construction. In addition, wind turbine fabricators must take into account how much wind an area receives before installing a turbine.

• Green Architects - Green architects design buildings to optimally support human needs while protecting and enhancing the earth’s ecological systems. Green Homes are in demand, and as a result, so are architects who know how to incorporate green structures and aspects to a new home. Green architects are also getting a lot of business doing eco-friendly upgrades to existing homes.

• Forester - Foresters will be in demand to help control the rate of deforestation and better manage wildlife resources with the needs of the population in mind. Foresters work with individuals, industries, and the government in deciding what to do with forested land and how to keep them thriving and healthy. Foresters must find a way to keep the plant life in the forest devoid of damaging diseases and pests while also ensuring that maintenance of the land will not cost the landowner excess expenses. Some foresters also draft plans on redeveloping previously destroyed land, monitoring the growth of new forests, and controlling the growth of established forests.

• Social Responsibility Officers - These jobs combine environmental and business experience to help companies set and meet goals regarding carbon reduction, sustainability, and eco-friendliness. Green Consultants are also being brought in, as corporations are trying to quickly set programs in place, measure their carbon footprints, audit supply chains, etc, all while communicating these changes to employees.

• Urban Planner - Environmental urban planners take particular interest in preserving wildlife habitats and finding areas to develop that would least damage the local ecosystem. For example, instead of breaking into new ground for a proposed shopping mall, urban planners may recommend reusing an old abandoned site for the building and developing it to make it attractive once more to consumers and businesses. Planners also deal with government codes and legislations, and must put together comprehensive reports for government executives and others. Employment of urban and regional planners is expected to grow 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the average for all occupations.

Summer means vacation for school children and certainly a time to spend lazing around the house or the beach in shorts and cool and comfortable summer tees and tank tops to counter the rising temperature.  But for those in their business suits, you wonder whether you will ever feel as cool as these kids and if it’s possible to make your business casual as casual as can be.

Some may think that it’s okay to take a vacation from professionalism just like these kids take time off their school uniforms. Wrong! No matter how warm the weather is, there is no reason to take time off your business clothes and despite feeling like you are wearing a suit of armor instead of a business suit, you can still make a strong statement in the workplace. Taking a vacation from professionalism by coming to the office in shorts or tank tops sends a message to your boss and clients that you are not fully engaged with your job. It would seem to others that you would rather be lounging at home than doing your job, especially if you are the only one wearing it. According to the experts, 82% of human resources professionals believe that the way you dress affects your place at work.

Even if your office practices the “casual Friday” policy for the summer, it is important to know what constitutes summer business casual. It is everybody’s responsibility to know what she or he can and cannot wear even when their office relaxes their dress code over the summer. If you are just starting your career it would be important to understand the company’s policy for summer office attire. If it is not discussed with you then learn to ask about it rather make the mistake due to ignorance.

People make the mistake when talking about business casual. "You don't want the emphasis placed on the word 'casual' instead of the word 'business’,’” says Sherry Maysonave, author of Casual Power. “Casual could be jeans, sneakers, T-shirts and shorts, whereas business casual is a relaxed version of business dress. It’s how you might dress to go out to a nice dinner on the weekend, not how you would go to the grocery store.” If it’s something that you wear everyday when going to your friends house then that is not business casual.

Women have a bigger problem or challenge in this case because a woman’s business attire is different from social attire and what we often see in fashion are good for social events or parties but not for the workplace. On the other hand, what men wears in a social event or party could also be worn in the office. But certain rules stay the same and that is the less skin showed in a workplace the better it is. Showing off your well-toned bodies in tight-fitting dresses, short-shorts and uber-tight tank tops no matter how trendy, is more appropriate for your free time and not during work hours, no matter what kind of workplace you are in. 

[RH-RH61] - Red House Ladies 3/4-Sleeve Dobby Non-Iron Button-Down Shirt

Each office might have specifics but one cannot go rule with a rule of thumb which is that business casual may include chino trousers; pencil skirts; relaxed button-down shirts; and linen, polo or knitted shirts. And each company has their own rules but there are some fashion statements that both men and women (especially those just starting their careers) should avoid even during summer:

• Revealing attire – mini skirt and plunging necklines or midriff top or sheer dress without the appropriate undergarments.
• Shorts or Capri pants or denim cutoffs (no short-shorts ot super-baggy shorts)
• Sleeveless shirts or tank tops 
• Halter tops, strapless or spaghetti straps
• Sweatpants, jogging suits or any workout attire
• T-shirts with offensive, derogatory or racist slogans or logos
• Flip-flops

RED KAP WORK SHIRTS

Starting today, Uniform Point Blog will feature something new on our website every Monday. As Uniform Point continues to expand its inventory there will always be something new which we might overlook simply because there is really more than enough products for everyone and for each of our customers’ specific needs.

Today we feature two work shirts from one of the most trusted and sought after provider of work clothes – Red Kap. They are well-known for providing defect-free and comfortable clothes for work. Their company profile definitely says it right when they say “from boardroom to the factory floor millions of people go to work in our apparel every day”. Since it was founded, Red Kap continues to grow and diversify to suit the needs of their customers and for the ultimate goal of making uniforms comfortable. 

The Red Kap work shirts continue to be benchmarks of quality, durability and functionality

[RE-ST62] - Red Kap Mens Utility Short Sleeve Work Shirt (starting at $16.95)

Formerly known as Big Ben® this work shirt by Red Kap is perfect for builders, carpenters, tradesmen, and more. It is a durable work shirt with two button-thru flapped pocket storage having the left pocket pencil stall. It has topstitched collar, lined with sewn-in stays and seven buttons for closure. It's offered in a pre-cure durable press and dyed-to-match buttons for a polished look. It also has double back yokes and a long tail for shaping. Spend all your time getting things done - this shirt takes care of itself with soil release finish. The fabric used for this is of polyester-cotton, 5.5 oz no-iron twill. Look no further for a work shirt with softness of home wash. Available in color black in size S – 4XL with size range of:

 This work shirt is available in other colors including: Charcoal, Khaki, Navy, Olive Green and Silver

[RE-SC14LB] - Red Kap Mens Western Style Long Sleeve Dress Uniform Shirt (starting at $21.45)

This Red Kap men’s dress uniform shirt with a classic Western style look and updated details will come through for you every time for work and casual wear. The authentic western pointed front and back yoke and six simulated pearl grippers (snaps) for closure plus button at neck and pocket flaps add sophistication to this top. This work shirt has long set-in sleeves and two-piece lined collar with sewn-in stays and lined cuff with double gripper closure. It has two spade style pockets with functional flaps and simulated pearl grippers and a bartacked pencil stall in left pocket. Additional detail such as a center pleat placket and a separate two-piece yoke makes it look really classy. Made with 65% Polyester/35% Cotton blend and 4 oz. Chambray fabric.  It is available in Light Blue in sizes S to 3XL.

Size Chart:

Customize these work shirts with Uniform Point's low-cost embroidery services and see your name, title and company's logo for a 24/7 walking advertisement.

In a few days, school children will be exchanging their  school uniforms for summer dresses, oversized sunglasses, shorts and summer tees. And more importantly, they will be on vacation from homework and school projects.

The question is, are parents ready for a month long with kids-at-home or have they learned from past experiences and had prepared a summer things-to-do list for them?

Don’t wait for the time that your children get bored and think of ways to make their own summer adventure list.

Here are suggestions, for both parents and children, which you can personalize or upgrade depending on your children’s age and personalities.

1. For animal lovers, volunteer at the local animal or homeless shelter.

2. Sign up for a class. It is a good practice if your child or children learn something every summer like a sport that is not taught at school or learn another language.

3. Go on a teen summer camp – research the different summer camps available and take into consideration your child’s personality and interests. It is best to discuss the activities and facilities with your child and ask for his/her inputs.

• Summer sports camps are designed to help children improve their athletic abilities and enhance social bonds with other like-minded kids.
• 
• Acting camp is an excellent way to encourage your child to try something new and nurture his or her natural creativity. 
• Boot camp teaches practical skills and modifies unhealthy and destructive behaviors so these troubled teens are in a position to make better decisions.

4. Look for a summer job in your neighborhood or an internship.

5. Volunteer for community service.

6. Take a self-defense class. 

7. Take a family road trip.

8. Go on a backyard camping with your close friends. Or a real camping for that matter.

9. Have a sleepover party and watch scary movies. Schedule your sleepover parties so that your friends can each do it in your homes. 

10. If you are into traveling and planning to do it with your children, here are some places your teens might enjoy:

• Mamanuca Islands, Fiji
• Cancun, Mexico
• Canary Islands, Spain
• Krabi Town, Thailand
• Pulau Penang, Malaysia
• New York City, NY 
• Fethiye, Turkey
• Bintan Utara, Indonesia
• Agios Nikolaos, Ionian Islands, Greece
• Runaway Bay, Jamaica

Some few months back, I wrote about finding the medical scrubs that is right for you and I certainly got a lot of comments about it since, except for the basic v-neck scrubs, everything was very chic and stylish. The scrubs uniforms have changed over the years and not only are they no longer in all-white but there are so many styles to choose from these days. Add to that is the fact that these nursing scrubs are not only available in vibrant colors like green, yellow, blue and red but in pastel colors too including ceil blue, aloe, pearl pink, wisteria and so many more. What is more amazing is that prints have also invaded the medical uniforms and apparel. And looking at it makes us wonder whether you are looking at one of the medical scrubs for the nurses or you are looking at an after-work top.

Not to be outdone, scrub pants or what one pairs for their nursing scrubs are also getting trendier. To think that these medical scrubs really just used to be worn inside the operation or by the surgery staff, albeit in green and with masks, they have certainly gone a long way. Scrub pants worn in surgery were typically drawstring pants which made use of a string to draw or tighten the pants. These days though there are so many styles to choose from giving one the freedom to choose their favorite style in their favorite color or the style and colors that pairs well with their nursing scrubs. Some though do not have the option to choose the color since there are hospitals that color code their medical uniforms according to departments. And of course, there are those who choose which scrub style fits them perfectly or comfortably or from their favorite brands like Cherokee, Dickies pants, Landau, Adar, Urbane and many more.

Here are some of the most common scrub pants styles preferred by nurses and healthcare professionals:

Drawstring Pants: These are pants with string used to draw or tighten or tie an opening in a fabric to close it.

CH-4100 - Cherokee Workwear Unisex Drawstring Medical Scrub Pants

DI-850106T - Dickies Unisex Drawstring Scrub Pants

Straight-leg: These are pants that have a straight, narrow leg from the waist down.

UR-9705 - Urbane Women Flat Front Straight Leg Medical Scrub Pants

Boot-cut: These are pants that fit like a straight-leg pant from the knee up but are cut wider at the ankle in order to comfortably fit over a pair of shoes.

DI-853102 - Dickies Women Boot Cut Hip Flip Pant

Flared: These are pants are narrow and slim from waist to knee then widen from knee to ankle. If the flare is particularly wide, the pants are called bell-bottoms.

CH-26034 - Cherokee Women Slim Fitting Flare Leg Pants

Classic Fit: Flatters every shape and size, and features a stitched crease leg for a polished look with an elastic waistband.

AD-502 - Adar Unisex Classic Comfort Medical Scrub Pants

Eased Fit: More relaxed than our Classic fit, with a fuller cut through hip, thigh, and leg and elastic waistband.

LA-8327 - Landau Women Eased Fit Elastic Waist Medical Scrub Pants

Elastic Pants: These are pants with elastic sewn in the waistband or inserted in a stitched-down casing to hold the pants in place. 

DI-850506 - Dickies Ladies Elastic Waist Scrub Pants

Cargo Pants: These are pants originally designed for tough, outdoor activities. They are baggier, permitting free movement, made of hardwearing, quick-drying fabrics, with tough stitching, and have large belt loops and several additional patch pockets.

DI-857455P - Dickies Women Petite Nine Pocket Youtility Scrub Pant

Flare Leg: These are pants that are slim fit through the hip and thigh with a flare leg, drawstring and elastic waistband.

AD-507 - Adar Woman Drawstring Flare Leg Medical Scrub Pants

Flare Cargo: These are pants that are flare leg with full drawstring, low rise waist and more cargo pockets.

UR-9702 - Urbane Women Cargo Flare Leg Medical Scrub Pants

Cargo Drawstring: These are pants that have drawstring front and elastic back for an adjustable fit with oversized cargo and side pockets and straight leg.

AD-506 - Adar Unisex Multi-Pocket Cargo Medical Scrub Pants

CH-190 - Cherokee Women Original Boxer Scrub Pants

Cargo Elastic Waist: Cargo pants with an elastic waistband with slightly tapered leg.

CH-4000 - Cherokee Men Elastic Waist Utility Cargo Nurse Scrub Pants

The recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown us that we have a considerable public health problem that is very much preventable if only we act on it. The data shows that 1 in 6 Americans or 48 million people get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die each year largely due to food borne diseases. We have existing laws and oversight from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that have kept the vast majority of Americans safe from diseases brought about by consuming harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses and toxins found in some of our food. But, the data as well as several cases of contamination shows that we still have much to do to keep us safer. And that we make stricter laws and continuous improvements in food safety.

For the first time in 70 years a major bill that tackles food safety was signed into a law. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which was signed into law in January 4, 2011, gives the FDA the much needed mandate in protecting our food supply by pursuing a system that prevents food-borne illnesses from the onset. The system deals with the hazards from farm to table and checks on the production, processing, transport and food preparation to ensure the food supply safety. Previously, FDA could only negotiate with businesses to order voluntary recalls but the new food law gives them the authority better respond to issues including ordering recalls of contaminated foods. The new law requires companies to develop and implement written food safety plans making it easier for the agency to monitor. Also, under FSMA provisions, the FDA will be able to ensure that imported foods are as safe as the food produced in the US. 

Food borne illnesses are very much preventable is only there is an agency with enough authority, as well as tools and systems, to ensure proper monitoring and can make the necessary call in case there are food supply hazards. Also, food chains being held responsible and accountable at each step can ensure that they are very careful in making sure about their products. 

Here are some of the provisions or elements in the Food Safety Modernization Act:

Preventive controls plan – The whole new law is based on prevention and so the system created by FDA would require comprehensive, prevention-based controls across the food supply. In this case, FDA will require food chains and facilities to develop a written food safety plans that spell out what possible problems could affect the safety of their products and how they plan to prevent it from happening or minimize the possibility of it happening. This would include food processing apron and lab coats and other measures that help ensure workers do not contaminate their products.

Science-based standards – The FDA is tasked to establish science-based standards for safe production and harvesting of fruits and vegetables. Both natural and man-made hazards to the safety of fresh produce will be considered by the standards. 

Increased number of inspections – To ensure that the food industry is made responsible and accountable in guaranteeing that they produce safe food for the people, the FDA is directed to increase the frequency of their inspections based on risks. High-risk domestic food and facilities would be the priority of the initial inspections with recurring inspections thereafter. 

Issuing Recalls – FDA has now the authority to recall tainted and unsafe food products if the food company does not do so voluntarily. Previously, except for infant formula, the agency could only request food manufacturers and distributors to recall voluntarily. This time they are provided a more flexible standard for administrative detention and allowed to suspend the registration of food facilities who fails food safety. 

Imported food safety – Americans have enjoyed imported food for a long time but only the new law gives FDA new tools to ensure that these imported foods meet US standards and are safe for consumers. Included here is that importers are made accountable in verifying that their foreign suppliers have adequate preventive controls in place to ensure safety. FDA will be able to accredit qualified 3rd party auditors that certify that foreign food facilities are complying with US food safety standards and that they can refuse entry into the US of a food that has refused U.S. inspection.

Improved partnerships with other agencies – The law recognizes the need for strengthened inter-agencies relationships and collaboration to ensure the success of the law and to achieve public health goals. Hence, the FDA is directed to give trainings to local food safety officials.

Exemptions – Community supported agriculture programs (CSA) and small farms that sell directly to consumers are exempted from the produce safety standards.

The focus of the law is prevention and the process is long-term as a new food safety system is established. But some of the authorities of FDA take effect immediately, such as the mandatory recall authority, while some requires FDA to prepare and issue documents that would be the be the basis of the regulation. The new law is a step forward in making the food industry really safe for consumption. We have made steps in making sure medicine, medical devices and other products are safe for use. Therefore we have more reason to ensure that our basic needs, such as food, have high standards, too. The law may not be as perfect as we want it to be but it is a step towards it, especially for those who are not really conscious of what they buy and eat.

Image: blastmagazine.com, freshplaza.com, thekindlife.com