The rise of influencers in every conceivable industry has, unfortunately, given way to an uptick of posers within those industries, even within the blue-collar trades. With platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, it’s easy to talk the talk or dress the part of a worker without ever walking the walk. While this new trend of “Instagram workwear” influencers may seem harmless, following these accounts and aspiring to look like them on the job could lead to hundreds or thousands of dollars wasted — or even lead to injury.
The gap between what we see from blue-collar influencers online and reality is widening. It’s no secret that real workwear is not as aesthetically pleasing as what influencers are donning in their “on the job” Reels. However, people who may not have years of work experience may be easily duped into believing they can buy what these influencers are promoting and hit the job site well-protected by their expensive, fancy work attire.
Influencers who target those in the trades are often not interested in providing practical guidance to workers; instead, they are interested in engagement and generating revenue from what they promote. This platform-over-practicality mindset can cause issues for those being influenced, leading to disappointment and problems down the road.
Instagram workwear vs. real workwear
The image of the “modern tradesman” is being shaped by social media. Influencers donning “workwear” that has never seen a job site, or even touched dirt, litter social media. The archetype is becoming all too familiar: pristine work boots, a perfectly groomed beard (“buy my grooming products at the link below!”), workwear that matches so it is more “outfit” than “necessary gear,” and pictures or Reels taken in settings that are typically far from any real work site. While it all may look aesthetically pleasing — and make the trades more appealing from an outsider’s perspective — it is not reality.
Workwear is a $17 billion industry, and many brands are more than happy to sell a “feeling” rather than functional clothing if they can nab a piece of that $17 billion pie. The result is swathes of people entering the trades with a distorted view of what “workwear” entails, spending money on gear and clothing that may look good, but don’t keep them protected on the job or hold up to the rigors of real work.
The cost of poor workwear choices
Trying to “look the part” while using Instagram as your guide can be costly. When one buys into workwear trends, they often end up owning more than they need and purchasing brands that are expensive but not necessarily practical.
The standard in the trades is to “buy once, cry once” — or, in other words, purchase items meant for the long haul. Tradesmen often repair rather than replace, and invest in pieces known for their durability and performance under stress. They are not thinking about how the pieces will look in their latest social media selfie; instead, they are seeking workwear that will hold up week after week.
The risks of cosplaying the trades
There’s more than money at stake with poser workwear culture. With gear and clothing that are not meant for actual job site use, genuine harm can result to those entering the trades. Some young workers, influenced by this new breed of blue-collar influencer, are entering the trades expecting the glamour they’ve seen on Instagram. Instead, they are being met with harsh conditions, long hours, bloodied knuckles, dirty hands, sweat, and hard labor.
Influencers are being paid to promote an image. The reality of many trades can be far from social media-friendly.
Risks are compounded when what is fashionable fails to be functional, creating very real safety hazards. Clothing that looks tough and rugged in an image may not hold up to the daily grind of the job site, aesthetically pleasing boots may leave your feet vulnerable to being crushed, and it’s not often you’ll see fashion-forward blue-collar influencers donning requisite safety gear.
Tradespeople deserve respect, and while influencers may believe that showcasing the trades in a fashionable light is giving that respect, it falls short of telling the real story of what the trades entail.
Authenticity in the trades and on the job
Genuine worksite gear and clothing standards may not be the stuff of viral videos, but they are the bedrock of true trades culture. Tradesmen select their clothing for a purpose, not for its ability to impress online followers who may never set a toe on a real worksite.
Workwear such as pants with double-knee reinforcement, builder-pro boots with steel toes, every-day carry (EDC) tools that are ready to see real action, and company-issued clothing that has been tested against the rigors of the workday are all authentic representations of what a person in the trades will wear on the job. It is unlikely that they will spend a long time grooming their beards into perfect, conditioned curls before hitting the job site.
Those who are genuinely interested in entering the trades will see a pattern: tough, durable workwear that is meant to stand the test of time. The trendiness of the workwear does not play a role.
The line between fashion and function has been blurred by influencers on platforms like Instagram. However, the consequences of buying into the aesthetics of “the trades” can impact your wallet and put your safety at risk.
When entering the trades, look for mentors on job sites for direction on how to dress and what gear to invest in. To truly support the trades as a career, one must respect the gear as much as they respect the craft — and leave aesthetics to the influencers.
