Hi Vis Work Wear For Pregnant Women Is Now Available?

In this day and age, there is actually a large number of women working in industries that require hi vis work wear, such as mining, construction and road works. Whilst many companies are now producing reflective clothing in women’s sizes, what happens when you fall pregnant and these items no longer fit you? She’s Empowered has the answer with founder and CEO, Kym Clark, designing a range of clothing for just this purpose.

Why on earth are heavily pregnant women still on the worksite?

This is a question that is often raised and we felt it was important to note that many women will work until their seventh or eighth month of pregnancy – and others right up until they’re about to give birth. Many women in the mining, construction and road works industries will not actually be doing anything strenuous (especially whilst pregnant), but their presence onsite does often require them to wear reflective clothing as a safety precaution.

How did the idea come about?

Kym says that the idea for maternity work wear first came to her when she was in a meeting with some males and a heavily pregnant manager at her job in the mining industry. She noticed that the manager, seven and a half months along, was wearing an open hi vis shirt over a singlet. She couldn’t do up the buttons over her protruding belly. Kym didn’t find it offensive at all, but did wonder why there wasn’t another uniform option available.

What clothing is available as a part of the collection?

The collection is currently on the small side, but She’s Empowered hopes to add a number of other clothing items in the future. There are two general long sleeved shirts available (in sizes 6 to 16), a pair of work trousers (in sizes 6 to 16), and a baby bump long sleeved shirt (in sizes 6 to 16) that allows room for your growing belly. The shirts are all in fluorescent orange with reflective silver stripes, whilst the trousers are in navy blue with silver accents.

What advantages does the collection offer?

There are actually a number of ways that women at all stages of pregnancy will benefit from the hi vis clothing that Kym offers. The cut is structured to show off your favourite body parts (and to hide those that you aren’t that fond of); there are no pockets or details on the chest; the cut is longer, which gives a more feminine appearance; the buttons are covered by a flap, which makes for a neater look and is easier to iron; and there are two available styles.

If you are a woman working in an industry that requires you to wear hi vis work wear, even if you spend most of your time in an office, we are sure that you will be ecstatic to learn about Kym’s maternity wear options. And this is becoming an increasingly important issue for Australian women – in 2011, they actually represented nearly one in five of all workers in these industries. This was a 15% jump from the numbers in 2006.