When I did my Swedish Massage course at college we had to wear black tunic, black cropped trousers and black flatties. It was OK and we looked quite smart although I found the manmade fabric a bit sweaty.
I'm now doing an IHM course and, to save cash, am wearing what I wore before as they said "suitable salonwear". They have since said black is not a good colour for a therapist to wear! (In their opinion).
Anyway, when I start working for myself, once I've completed my IHM I will be able to CHOOSE!:) So I'm just wondering what people prefer to wear when they work for themselves.
I have some loose linen trousers in various colours and they are very comfortable and am thinking maybe a new pair of those and a co-ordinating polo top, rather than a salon tunic. I also have a loose cotton smock-type top which is very comfy and easy to move in.
Whenever I've had a massage I like the therapist to look clean and tidy and as long as I get a good treatment, I don't think I mind too much about styles/colours. I do think some of the salon tops are very fitted now and I know some people on my course wished they had been able to wear looser tops.
I always wear black when working, i find it more practical. Alot of places I have visited when checking out the competition, all the therapists wear black including virgin spa. Sounds to me, they just want to force you to buy more of their goods at inflated prices. Stick to your guns and good luck
Hi 2H
If you want to look professional and be comfortable, why not wear a t-shirt or polo shirt with your name & therapy or business name embroidered on it.
Best Wishes
RP
I'm a big fan of the tunics & trousers sold by Pink Saalu, especially as I'm on the large side, they fit well and feel comfortable, in addition to looking smart.
White tunic and trousers which helps to not show up the talcum powder 🙂
So long as it looks professional and smart I would still wear it !! I wore white for Aromatherapy, huge mistake, couldn't get the oils out, (I had to borrow my mechanics car as mine was being fixed and yeah, black seatbelt mark right across my tummy, what a lovely sight for the clients). I'm sure colleges think we can all afford a different uniform for each course! Stand your ground wear your normal one 🙂
Thanks for all the comments.:)
I don't think I explained myself very well - they're not trying to get me to buy a new uniform at all and I haven't got much longer anyway. It just came up in conversation and they felt black was not a good colour for most therapists to wear. I think it's definitely slimming though!;)
Particularly with massage you are really moving about a lot and tight clothes are terrible. As I said, some of the tunics are designed to be really close-fitting and I know on my course some of the ladies in particular were struggling to feel comfy.
Hi Twohoots
I maybe wrong on this but I think it is to do with negative energy.
I did a course recently and the tutor commented on how alot of tutors don't like black and I'm sure that was the reason he gave. Although he did say he thought it looked smart and was practical as far as oil stains etc., not showing.
Someone else maybe able to shine a bit mnore light on this one.
Snitchley
Hi
Some tunics have a single or double pleat at the back so you have greater freedom of arm movement (I find this especially useful when doing Indian Head Massage.) Regarding colour, I think white or light colours are more suitable if you want to look clinical - I always wear white, but I also have a dark blue uniform. Black seems to be more popular with beauty therapists - so perhaps it also depends on what impression you wish to convey.
Good luck!
🙂
I'm thinking of going to work in my pyjamas, so that people will think I'm a real doctor.
😀 @ Kvdp.
I have been told to wear different things on different courses - a white jacket and black trousers for aromatherapy and Indian head, a white coat for nails and white jacket and white trousers for beauty. The students joining beauty at a later date were told they had to wear a black jacket and trousers. The college chose a different uniform every year so it was quite costly.
I haven't actually set up my business yet but will be wearing a white t-shirt with my logo on and black cotton/linen trousers.
Ylangrose - I'm leaning towards black trousers and a white polo shirt. I've seen some with "Massage Therapist" on them but they are quite expensive and a few would be needed.
Ylangrose - I'm leaning towards black trousers and a white polo shirt. I've seen some with "Massage Therapist" on them but they are quite expensive and a few would be needed.
I got a few from Vistaprint for now. You can get one for free and you only pay the postage.
Black polo shirt & jogpants, bare feet. I think black looks professional, but I also use dark green and dark grey. White is not really practical unless you love laundry. Personally I don't like tunics - they feel too medical to me. If I'm getting a massage I want to feel I'm being treated as a human being not as a problem being examined.
As I primarily am "home based" I wear a black skirt or trousers and a t-shirt with the name of my company on. I like to be comfortable in what I wear.
When at the hospiceI have trousers and two therapists tunics one in black the other in white with green piping - but they make me feel more clinical which I hate!!! unfortunately its the hospice ruling that you have to wear a therapists uniform!
I always wear a polo shirt that has my name and company stitched on it.
White or grey polo shirt (by Canterbury, I find their stuff very tough and long lasting) with black Canterbury sports trousers, with company name stitched on as well. I wear trainers too.
As I'm in sports and injury based clinic I have never had any issues with this?
Some of our female therapists where Tunic's though? But seems mainly the beauty therapists, the 2 other Sports Massage Therapists say they could never do it in a tunic for the resistance and how hot they get?
Danny
I have started to wear a black polo shirt for my contracted work, I use a room at the top of the building and it gets very hot too hot for the tunic, I wear a black tunic with pink edging or an azure blue one for my private work 🙂
I used to wear a white la beeby jaques top at my last spa job .. it was a nightmare especially as you only got one... by the time I left it was getting gray, i tried all sorts of high tech stuff to get it clean, black would be best
Personally i wear thai fishermans pants and a black t-shirt ... im there to give a massage, and my room is dark anyway.. , but then again I work out of martial arts studio !!! a bit different to a spa.
Plus I mainly do thai massage anyway and from experience attempting to do stuff in a la beeby smock is a nightmare ... no one I know dresses up for thai massage and they are all good therapists, unless they are working in a spa
I also dress all in black in my private clinic though the hospice where I work has just ordered in a load of pink tunics....think I might clash with them slightly as I have red hair! Not a good look!:)