Why Housekeeping Deserves a Style Upgrade

When people think about fashion in hospitality, housekeeping rarely gets the spotlight. And yet, few roles are more essential - or more visible. These are the professionals who keep beautifully designed hotels feeling as pristine and polished as they look. You see them in the lobby, along the corridors, stepping in for turn-down service or a quick fresh-up. They’re everywhere - but their uniforms? Too often overlooked.

Even in the most stylish hotels, housekeeping uniforms tend to be stiff, generic, and forgettable. And sometimes, housekeeping teams are outsourced altogether, which can make them feel even more disconnected from the brand’s identity.

When I began designing uniforms for Swiss deluxe hotels, I kept coming back to a question: “Why shouldn’t the housekeeping team feel just as stylish and comfortable as the guests they serve?”

One turning point for me was a photograph I came across - women at work in the 1940s, wearing dungarees. They looked capable, confident, effortlessly elegant. The lines were clean, the fit was functional, and the overall presence was strong without trying too hard. That image stayed with me.

Women at work, 1940s.

So we reimagined the dungarees - not as a retro throwback, but as a contemporary uniform with purpose. Inspired by what women wore to work 100 years ago, we created a version just for housekeeping. We used contemporary fabrics with stretch to ease maintenance and durability. The design allows for movement, elegance, and a little personality.

Some styles have a bow at the back. Others have a subtle zipper in the bib for convenience. Many housekeepers pair them with a simple tee or, for Excellence Cruise ships with striped poloshirts, where the nautical nod makes sense and looks fantastic. It’s become a kind of visual identity - practical and chic.

The feedback has been the best part. One housekeeper told me, “Finally, I feel stylish at work.” That meant everything.

Because housekeeping uniforms deserve as much attention as any other part of the guest experience. And the people who wear them deserve to feel seen.

Veronika