Why Do Painters Wear White?
When we think of professional painters we don’t necessarily think of their style. But the painter whites (white long-sleeved shirts, white overalls, white cap) they have become famous for have gained popularity outside the profession. So let’s understand a bit more the question: why do painters wear white?
Modern Trends
The painter’s ensemble is a must-have for young hipsters and festival-goers. Urban Outfitters is now even selling a pair of ’90s style Dickies White Overalls: a classic house painter look.
The brand, Dickies, when it was founded in 1922, started as a bib overall company that catered to house painters and the everyday worker. They couldn’t have imagined that the baggy white overalls would become the fashion trend that it is today for everyday people.
The white overalls are uniquely more popular than any other color. It is the white overalls that house painters are known for, which is odd in a profession that is notoriously messy. This begs the question: why do house painters wear white? There are many different theories about why painters wear white.
Painter Unions
One theory for why professional painters wear white dates back to the beginning of painter unions. Once some of the painters became union workers back in the 19th century, they wanted to stand out and have a clean, professional look, so they began wearing white. This way the more seasoned house painters were distinguished because if they were careless, you would see paint on them. Today, if a painter’s clothes have more colors and stains on them, it means they are more experienced because they have done more painting jobs.
Practicality
Another – perhaps more practical – reason is house painters deal with white spackle, white paint, and drywall a lot. With white clothing, these materials won’t be as noticeable.
White is also a cool color, that is, it will keep the house painters cool in the sun as they paint the exterior of a house.
There is a certain pride and notoriety in what a house painter wears; whether it is keeping it clean or showing off previous work, white is the perfect uniform.
While this may inspire you to purchase some clothing inspired by trend-setting house painter’s, chances are you don’t want to get them covered in paint. Paintzen painters do!
As you’re looking good in your new overall’s, our house painters can update the look of your space. Get started today with a free and instant online quote.
