"My Pants Keep Tearing at Work"... The Birth of 'Special Pants' from a Single Comment

Demand for Safety and Functionality Grows with Severe Accident Law


Market to Reach 2.4 Trillion Won by 2033 as Customized Orders Spread Among Companies

#At the International Safety and Health Exhibition in July of last year, a Hyundai Motor Ulsan plant representative visited the booth of "Boldist," the workwear brand of Kolon Industries FnC (Kolon FnC). He shared feedback that workers' legs often get scraped by sharp edges and their uniforms are frequently torn while moving through narrow corridors lined with stacked automobile chassis. In response, Boldist developed “VeimX Pants,” work pants reinforced with cut-resistant materials in key areas, and unveiled them for the first time at this year’s exhibition.

Workwear is evolving. In the past, products that were inexpensive and could be supplied in bulk took precedence. Recently, however, functionality—protecting worker safety—and comfort have emerged as the main purchasing criteria. The “uniforms” that companies used to distribute en masse are now transforming into “safety equipment” aimed at reducing industrial accidents.

This shift is largely driven by the enforcement and stricter penalties of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. This law was implemented for workplaces with at least 50 full-time employees in January 2022 and expanded to include businesses with 5 to 49 employees from January 2024. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Sentencing Commission prepared sentencing guidelines recommending up to 15 years’ imprisonment for fatal incidents in major industrial accidents. As a result, the importance of safety management and accident prevention in industrial settings is expected to increase.

From "uniforms" to "safety equipment": Market expected to reach 2.4 trillion won by 2033

According to the global market research firm Grand View Research on the 28th, the domestic workwear market is projected to grow from approximately 1.6 trillion won last year to about 2.4 trillion won by 2033. The expected compound annual growth rate until 2033 is 5.2%. Previously, most industrial uniforms in Korea featured simple designs focused on navy and black colors with low prices as the major selling point. Companies also viewed workwear as consumables to be purchased in bulk at regular intervals.

Recently, fashion and outdoor brands have entered the market leveraging their experience with functional materials and apparel production. K2 Korea operates "K2 Safety," and Blackyak I&C, an affiliate of BYN Blackyak, runs "Blackyak Workwear." Kolon FnC's "Boldist" and Hyungji Elite's "WillbeLab" are also expanding their business-to-business (B2B) operations.

Companies are incorporating cooling, waterproof, and windproof fabrics and three-dimensional patterns—previously used for outdoor apparel—into workwear. Products offering resistance to cuts, flames, and impact are being provided for manufacturing sites, while high-visibility garments, which make workers easily identifiable from a distance, are being supplied to construction sites. Workwear equipped with small fans to cool outdoor workers has also emerged. As the risk factors differ by industry and process, more companies are requesting custom product development rather than simply purchasing off-the-shelf workwear.

Boldist, launched in 2020, began focusing on B2B orders in earnest in 2024. The company visits work sites to assess working conditions and risks, then co-develops tailored products. Between January and May this year, overall sales increased 134% compared to the same period last year. The company expects this year's B2B sales to rise by approximately 230% year-on-year.

The "Safety Cap" supplied to Hyundai Motor Group is a notable example. Taking into account feedback that standard cap brims obstruct visibility during tasks under car bodies, the brim was shortened to 4–5 centimeters, half the length of ordinary caps, and an impact-absorbing material was added inside. The product is currently used at Hyundai Motor Hi-Tech Center, Kia Autoland, Hyundai Wia, and other sites.

Boldist supplies high-visibility safety vests to Hyundai Engineering & Construction, workwear to LG Display, and safety shoes to Korea Power Engineering Company. Regular orders also come from BMW Korea, DL E&C, and Volvo Construction Equipment Korea. Utilizing Kolon Industries’ aramid and cooling materials, the company has also launched products designed to resist cuts, flames, and high temperatures. At this year’s International Safety and Health Exhibition, the number of consultations for corporate and institutional clients more than doubled year-on-year, while the number of follow-up meetings and site-visit connections increased by 2.5 times.

Custom Products Developed from On-Site Feedback

Hyungji Elite also rebranded its workwear line from "Willbe" to "WillbeLab" this year and is strengthening its business. About 25 major companies—including Hanwha Ocean, POSCO, Coway, Volvo Korea, and L&F—are key clients. Production is based on a prior assessment of employee numbers and replacement needs, and the process includes design evaluations and price bidding before delivery.

Hyungji Elite’s B2B business revenue totaled 59 billion won from July 2025 to June this year, accounting for 33.6% of total sales. Although this represents a 15.2% decrease from the previous year, alongside student uniforms and sports merchandising, it remains one of the company's three main pillars. Hyungji Elite is expanding the production and ordering knowledge gained from corporate uniforms into the consumer market. WillbeLab’s revenue is comprised of 70% B2B sales and 30% business-to-consumer (B2C) sales.

The reason companies are focusing on workwear business is not only due to market growth but also because it is less susceptible to trends or economic cycles than general fashion. Since both employee headcounts and replacement intervals are fixed, demand is predictable. Once a client is secured, companies can continuously receive annual orders for new and replacement items. A fashion industry insider stated, “Companies are beginning to see workwear not as a cost to reduce, but as equipment to prevent accidents and improve productivity. The ability to incorporate field-tested functionality and worker feedback into products—rather than simply lowering prices—will become increasingly important.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.