So, here’s an answer to a question we’re sure keeps you up at night! What is the reason painters wear white? Below, we’ll attempt a few historical tidbits and the reasons most affecting today’s white wearing painters.
Historically Speaking – 18th Century
In the 18th century, many English sailors were seen wearing “short slops”. “Slops” were a loose fitting item of clothing worn over a man’s nicer clothing to protect them from tar. These “slops” were typically made from old ship sails and were white. The material was lightweight, economical, durable, and protective of anything worn underneath it.
Due to all the attributes, at some point, painters caught on to this little secret of the sailors and painter’s whites were born!
Politically Speaking – 19th Century
Later, in the 19th century, painters were said to wear white if they were part of the painter’s union. The white “uniform” was used to set the union painters apart from the non-union painters. The uniform was their form of professional dress.
Moving up to the 20th Century
Next, in the 20th cetury, the reason painters wear white shifted slightly. At the beginning of the 20th century, white was an extremely popular color to paint houses. It was a sign of purity and cleanliness. Whitewash was also used on old farmhouses to prevent mildew from forming. Therefore, the painter’s whites stayed looking fresh because the white paint blended in and didn’t show on their clothing.
Now in the 21st Century
Today the reason painters wear white has more to do with economics and comfort! Most paint manufacturers send painting companies t-shirts for the painters to wear. It makes sense that the shirts are made in white since typically white is the least expensive.
Another reason for the white is, it reflects the sun and therefore is cooler to wear in those hot months of exterior painting. Being up on a ladder all day in the hot sun is hard so the more comfortable the clothing, the better.
Further, white tends to attract attention – The kind of attention that warns of “wet paint”! Research has shown that a job site with painters wearing white have fewer issues with paint “accidents”.
Another reason painters wear white is beause white is the best camouflage with all the white substances painters work with. Drywall dust, spackle, caulk, plaster and primer are all white. When these white substances get on white clothing, it doesn’t show as much. This just gives a nod back to those painters in the 20th century! With these “whiter” whites, painters are able to look cleaner throughout the job. This can be interpreted by the client as a more professional painter who has the ability to keep the jobsite cleaner.
Hopefully you’ve had fun reading this and learned a little history along the way!
