For new uniforms, United turns to Brooks Brothers, Tracy Reese and Carhartt

What do Brooks Brothers, Carhartt and Tracy Reese have in common? They’re helping shape a new look for United. United confirmed Thursday that it has turned to the two iconic retailers and the high-end fashion designer to help it come up with new uniforms for all 70,000 of its front-line employees. Once the process is completed, there’ll be a new look for United’s customer-facing staff – everyone from pilots and flight attendants to airport gate agents and ramp workers. The carrier has completed more than a dozen employee “road shows” at its hub airports. Workers from across United’s network were invited to come to check out samples from designers and give their feedback about what they want – and do not want – to be included in the new uniforms. United describes it as part of an effort to incorporate employees’ wish-list items from the very beginning. “What we’re trying to do is start fresh and give them something that will meet their needs, says BJ Youngerman, United's senior manager, engagement strategy. The new threads aren’t expected to roll out to workers until 2020, but the carrier says that underscores the efforts it’s taking to get both the fashion and function just right. “What’s crucial,” Youngerman says, is “having employees be a core voice in the decision we make.” United’s effort also comes after its three biggest U.S. rivals – American, Delta and Southwest – have each already rolled out their own new employee uniforms since 2016.<br/>