You finish your last fade, lock up, and still find hair down your collar on the drive home. Most UK barbers have tried a tunic, an apron or a barber jacket to fix it. Here's how each one compares, so you can pick the right workwear for your chair.
The quick answer
- Barber tunic or smock: covers your top half and looks smart. Your arms and legs stay exposed.
- Barber apron: protects the front of your clothes. Hair still lands on your sleeves, back and trousers.
- Barber jacket: a zip-up top with sleeves. Better arm coverage, but nothing from the waist down.
- Hair-resistant two-piece suit: a jacket and trousers worn over your clothes. The most coverage, from neck to ankle.
Barber tunics and smocks
Tunics are a staple in UK salons and barbershops. They look tidy and are easy to brand for a team. Most are short-sleeved or sleeveless and stop at the hip.
Best for: a smart, matching team look.
Watch out for: hair on your arms, neckline and trousers. Textured fabrics like cotton can also trap short clippings.
Barber aprons
Leather and waxed-canvas aprons are popular for their look, and the pockets are handy for combs and sectioning clips. But an apron only covers the front. Hair still lands on your shoulders, sleeves, back and lower legs.
Best for: style and keeping tools close.
Watch out for: it isn't full coverage. See our guide to the best clothes to wear as a barber for what to wear underneath.
Barber jackets
A zip-up barber jacket covers your arms and closes at the neck. Look for a collar that fastens and cuffs at the wrist, so hair can't slip inside.
Best for: upper-body coverage you can take off at the end of the day.
Watch out for: it does nothing for your trousers, socks and shoes. Our Barber Armour Jacket can be paired with your own work trousers or the matching set.
Hair-resistant two-piece suits
A two-piece suit is a jacket and matching trousers that go over your normal clothes. Zip it on before your first client and take it off before you leave. The clothes underneath stay much cleaner.
Our Barber Armour suit is made from smooth, lightweight 100% polyester that cut hair brushes off. It has an adjustable Velcro collar, cuffed wrists, cuffed ankles and short sleeves that finish above the wrist, so there's no rolling up between clients. No garment stops every strand, but full coverage cuts down the hair that reaches you.
Best for: barbers who want to leave the hair at work.
Watch out for: sizing. We recommend choosing one size up from your usual size. Check our size guide first.
Side-by-side comparison
| Workwear | Arms | Neckline | Legs and ankles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tunic or smock | Rarely | Open | No |
| Apron | No | Open | Front only |
| Barber jacket | Yes | Depends on collar | No |
| Two-piece suit | Yes | Closed | Yes, cuffed |
Can UK barbers claim workwear as an expense?
Over half of people working in UK hair and beauty are self-employed, including many chair renters (NHBF). If that's you, HMRC lists uniforms and protective clothing needed for your work as allowable business expenses. Everyday clothing doesn't count, even if you only wear it at work. See GOV.UK: Expenses if you're self-employed.
Workwear branded with your shop's logo is easier to show as a uniform. You can add logo embroidery to Barber Armour when you order. Always check with your accountant before you claim.
What to look for in barber workwear
- Smooth fabric. Hair brushes off smooth fabric more easily than textured cotton.
- A closing collar. Stops clippings dropping down your neck.
- Cuffs at the wrists and ankles. Keeps hair out of your sleeves and socks.
- Easy care. Machine washable and quick to dry. Skip fabric softener, which can affect hair-resistant finishes.
- Room to move. You're standing, bending and leaning all day.
FAQs
What do barbers wear in the UK?
Most UK barbers wear a tunic, smock, apron or barber jacket over their own clothes. Some choose a full hair-resistant suit to cover their arms and legs too. For barbers who prefer short sleeves, Proper T is a hair-resistant T-shirt with less coverage than a jacket or two-piece uniform.
How do I stop hair getting on my clothes when cutting?
Cover as much as you can with smooth fabric, close the gaps at your neck, wrists and ankles, and take your workwear off before you leave. Read our full guide on how to stop cut hair sticking to your clothes.
Is hair-resistant clothing the same as hair-repellent clothing?
Yes. Both terms describe smooth fabric that gives cut hair little to cling to, so it brushes off.
Do you deliver across the UK?
Yes. The Barber Armour two-piece set comes with free standard UK delivery and usually dispatches within 1 to 2 working days.
Leave the hair at work
Tunics and aprons look the part, but they leave gaps. If you want hair off your arms, neck and trousers, go for full coverage. Shop Barber Armour, designed by a UK barber. The full set is £119.99 with free UK delivery.
Workwear That Works As Well As You Do.