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Selecting Quality Salon Apparel


Selecting Quality Salon Apparel
Choosing quality salon apparel that looks and feels great is simpler when you understand your options. Whether you are stocking a new salon or upgrading your existing apparel, knowledge is power. With the right information, you can find everything from a styling apron to a client cape in comfortable yet durable materials. Today’s innovative salon wear can provide a silky touch or a fashionable print in combination with chemical resistance. Highly functional designs are available at affordable prices. Learn more to experience the top trends in salon, spa and grooming apparel.
Popular Types Of Stylist Apparel
Resistant fabrics resist the effects of a substance, such as water or chemicals. Repellent ones repel the substance on contact, and waterproof or chemical proof materials deliver high-level protection. Many chemical aprons are resistant fabrics, but some may be listed as bleach-proof. Most capes are waterproof. Stylist apparel coverage and protection comes in a variety of forms:
and barbers in classic looks featuring quality construction.
The Best Client Apparel Options
Premium client apparel in the salon reliably keeps clothing and skin free of damp hair, moisture, stains, and in some cases, chemicals. Choosing the ideal coverage for a particular service is vital to comfort. Client apparel can also make a fashion statement. Items, such as salon gowns or spa wraps can be woven from materials with a luxurious feel. Client gowns are designed with sleeves and provide extra coverage during the service or spa treatment. Though most are one-size fits all, they are available in varying lengths. Of course, the most essential item for every salon client is the cape. These are the most common salon capes:
Shampoo and styling - waterproof or water resistant; provides a barrier against drips and splashes, as well as shampoo and conditioner.
Kid-friendly or child-safe - specially designed for children in size and pattern, these capes should also be made of kid-safe materials.
Chemically resistant - specially treated apparel for perms, highlighting or other salon services.
Stain resistant - resists general salon stains but not the effects of chemicals.
All-purpose - may offer the convenience of water and chemical resistance.
In addition to these styles, there are also shorter comb-out capes made strictly for hair styling and larger barber capes made with male clients in mind.

The Latest in Apparel Materials and Characteristics
Manufacturers of salon apparel use specific materials to create apparel for certain tasks. Ordering the right salon apparel fabrics will ensure the service is enjoyable for the client, as well as the stylist, technician or barber.
Fabric Blends and Treatments
Salon apparel may be constructed from a single fabric or woven into a fabric blend, such as polyester with microfiber. Fabrics are woven together for comfort or to add a feature, such as static electricity resistance. Some apron and cape fabrics get their special features from coatings, allowing them to resist water, stains and wrinkles. Fabrics are also treated in order to resist strong solutions, such as hair color, perm solution, bleach, and other salon chemicals. That means a chemical cape could be made from nylon but have an acrylic coating. The strongest chemical proof capes and aprons are often made of waterproof polyurethane and are given the highest level of protection and durability.
Weight and Breathability
Lighter weight fabrics, such as nylon, keep wearers cooler and more comfortable. The term breathable differs from lightweight. It refers to the fabric’s property of allowing moisture vapors to be released - such as perspiration - making wearers feel cooler. These types of materials are often used to make styling capes. With salon fabric innovations, even chemical-proof apparel can be lightweight and breathable. Salon apparel providers, like Fromm, have worked hard to create waterproof acrylic coated nylon apparel with optimal breathability.
Water Repelled and Wrinkles Resisted
Most salon-friendly fabrics will repel moisture to some degree. When water repellent aprons are exposed to water, the liquid should simply slip off the material. Wrinkle resistance refers to product’s ability to crease less or appear free of wrinkles during wear. Crinkle nylon is an example of a versatile fabric used by Fromm that resists wrinkles, as well as water and stains.
Patterns and Solids
Due to their ability to hide stains, black, brown and burgundy salon apparel are considered staples, but sometimes fabrics are chosen to highlight a salon’s personality instead. Patterns, prints, and unique designs are readily available. Reversible capes can provide two colors in one, and may also have sides designed for different uses, such chemical resistance and styling.
Choosing Between Velcro© and Snap Closures
Salon apparel does present adjustability and closure considerations. Items may be secured by magnetic, hook-and-loop, tie, snap or Velcro© closures. In the case of capes, Velcro© and snaps are commonly chosen.
Velcro© | |
![]() | Most salons and spas use harsh chemicals for salon services and cleaning. Non-chemical proof towels will quickly begin to appear spotty and frayed if used with these compounds. The cost of replacement linens can add up quickly, especially if towels start to wear after their first use. Avoid this mistake by using towels that can withstand coming into contact with common chemicals. |
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![]() | Some professionals prefer the security of snaps, which are also fast and reliable. Snap designs offer adjustability but can be less adjustable than Velcro. On better quality apparel, durable metal snaps are sewn carefully into the fabric so they are less likely to detach from surrounding material. However, if a snap becomes broken, the apparel may require replacement. In addition to closures, specialty features on capes can keep clients shielded from moisture or salon products. For example, Fromm makes a cape featuring a back flap to ensure moisture does not reach the client. |

Quick Care Tips for Salon Apparel
Your apparel will last longer and provide maximum protection when it is washed and dried according to the manufacturer’s care instructions for salon apparel. The following tips may help you keep your apparel in top form longer:
Read the care instructions
Each item will have unique care guidelines based on its materials, construction and treatments. For example, chemical resistant apparel can usually be washed in a machine but may need a cold water cycle. When fabric is treated to resist water, stain and wrinkles, it will have specific care instructions to maintain these capabilities.
Know the effects of heat
Specially treated materials are often no-iron fabrics. Other salon apparel items may require ironing on low temperatures to prevent damage. Chemical aprons and capes can come with instructions for air drying or using delicate dryer cycles. Over-drying lightweight fabrics may affect the product’s appearance or cause a fabric coating to crack.
Consider the colors
The shimmer of metallic fabrics and the beauty of color will last longer when apparel is washed according to manufacturer instructions. Some fabrics may require sorting so that similar fabrics or colors are washed together.
Be aware of bleach
Many capes, vests and wraps cannot be washed with bleach. Even chemical resistant fabrics may have instructions to avoid bleach during the wash. Other fabrics will specify the use of non-chlorine bleach.
Think about closures
A manufacturer could instruct you to wash an item with the closure strips detached or to hang dry apparel with snaps. Belts that are not sewn into a garment may need to be washed separately.
Check the instructions when your new apparel arrives, even it is from a familiar brand. Caring properly for salon wear will save you time and money in the long run!



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