Workmen better watch out next summer: six in 10 Belgians are bothered by the construction worker's gap

Workwear from Herock® does away with the unsavoury streak of nudity

The construction worker's crack is stirring up more emotions than we thought. Recent research by Herock® shows that six out of ten Belgians are annoyed when someone's buttock slit peeks out above the edge of their trousers. According to eight out of ten, however, this is perfectly avoidable. And that is also true. Herock® has a solution for it. More than one, in fact. The Belgian specialist in workwear and safety shoes consciously designs work trousers with a higher, elasticated waistband and tops that are 5 to 10 cm longer on average. This keeps the lower back of craftsmen neatly covered at all times. “Workmen should feel comfortable above all, even if they are going through the knees,” says managing director Laurent Van Laere. “That they better come up with a new term for the phenomenon soon, because as far as we are concerned, it has nothing to do with construction workers.”

With summer approaching, workers tend to take off their jumpers and/or T-shirts more often. With the risk that a well-known phenomenon will crop up: the construction worker's gap. When craftsmen and women are climbing high scaffolding or twisting under a leaking tap, the iconic stripe of nudity sometimes peeks above the edge of their trousers. What makes some chuckle, turns out to be quite offensive to a large proportion of Belgians. A recent survey commissioned by Herock® shows that as many as six in ten Belgians (60%) are bothered when they see a construction worker's slit. Seven in ten (71%) admit that such a visible buttock slit affects how they look at craftsmen. Especially in terms of attractiveness and professionalism as it turns out. Half of those surveyed (51%) find a construction worker's cleft unattractive. In addition, almost eight in ten Belgians (75%) say they have more confidence in the professionalism of workmen and women when they wear appropriate work clothes.

Do we become victims of low-hanging trousers ourselves with cleavage, then we find it especially embarrassing. Construction worker or not, seven in 10 Belgians (73%) are embarrassed when their own buttock crack is visible; and women (82%) a lot more so than men (63%). Remarkably, only one in five (20%) dares to comment on it.

The solution: stretch fabrics, high waistband and extended tops

Laurent Van Laere, managing director of the Belgian company Herock® especially wants workmen and women to feel comfortable in what they wear every day. They ensure this by using elastic fabrics in their workwear, among other things. This makes the trousers stay in place better. They also bring ‘’slimfit' models on the market that stretch with every movement.

Herock® also has work trousers with a higher, elasticated waistband in its range, which always neatly cover the lower back when workmen bend over. To completely curb the risk of bare buttocks, the workwear brand makes its tops, such as jackets, T-shirts and body warmers, 5 to 10 centimetres longer on average, so that they stay neatly inside the trousers.

“Our workwear is for working people. First and foremost, we want it to be convenient workwear in which they can move easily and feel comfortable. Even when they are bent over stirring in a bucket of cement or when they are on their knees laying floor tiles.”, Says Van Laere. “Whether they are really ashamed of a construction worker's gap, I don't know. What I do know is that our customers very consciously choose professional work clothes, because they are real craftsmen and they want to show this to their own customers, and rightly so. If they can avoid a construction worker's cut, they will certainly do so!”

A selection from the anti-construction gap range

Get rid of that builder's slit? Herock® suggests a selection from their range that will get rid of them for good. The fact that Herock® workwear is sustainable is not only reflected in its durability, but also in the materials used: all products in the sustainability collection are made of recycled polyamide.

Herock® ALON - Durable jogger with elasticated waistband

Made of 93% recycled polyster and 7% elastane, these sweatpants are not only extremely durable but also stretch, in all directions, with every movement. The Herock® ALON has a water-repellent coating, a waistband with elastic and drawstring, knee reinforcement and numerous pockets: 2 side pockets, 1 thigh pocket with zip, 1 thigh pocket with flap, 1 small pocket on the thigh pocket, 1 ruler pocket, 2 back pockets. Practical, comfortable and durable. Available from size 35 to 56, in black.

Suggested retail price: EUR 61.98 Excl. VAT

Herock® IVO - Work trousers with raised, elasticated waistband

Thanks to an extra high and elasticated waistband, the multipocket work trousers Ivo never sag under the hips. It is made of a mix of polyester, cotton and elastane and has a waterproof coating. To store all work materials, the trousers with removable hem have 2 side pockets, 1 extra side zip pocket, 2 thigh pockets, 1 mobile phone pocket, 2 pen pockets, 1 gauge pocket and 2 back pockets. Available from size 36 to 64, in black and anthracite/black

Suggested retail price: EUR 33 Excl. VAT

Herock® XENI - Multipocket stretch trousers with extra reinforcement

This multipocket is not only strong and practical, it also stays particularly well in place thanks to the 2-way stretch material (97% cotton and 3% elastane) from which it is made. You can recognise the Herock® XENI by the reflective prints, covered button, waist loop with key ring and the strong, supple and durable Cordura® reinforcement, including on the thigh pockets, back pockets and removable hem. The mobile phone pocket, side pockets and gauge pocket make these work trousers extra handy. The trousers are available from size 36 to size 64 in colours black, anthracite/black, navy/black, dark khaki/black.

Suggested retail price: EUR 61.94 Excl. VAT

Herock® LINX - Slimfit work trousers with elasticated waistband

These slimfit multipocket jeans have an ultra-soft, elasticated waistband that keeps them neatly in place. Made of 93% cotton, 6% polyster and 1% elastane Lycra®, this model has the perfect slimfit fit. It comes with all the useful features such as a waist loop with key ring, removable and interchangeable nail pockets, a gauge pocket with mobile phone pocket, a hammer loop and Cordura® reinforced back, knee and thigh pockets. Available in sizes 36 to 56, dark blue.

Suggested retail price: EUR 123.96 Excl. VAT

Herock® DRAGO - Stretch jacket with extended back panel

Besides 98% cotton, this multipocket jacket also contains 2% elastane canvas, so it stretches very comfortably with every movement. The back panel is about 5 to 10 cm longer than the average jacket, keeping the lower back nicely covered at all times. The jacket has side pockets and a breast pocket. The reflective print provides extra safety. The Herock® DRAGO is available in sizes XS to XXXL , in black and anthracite/black.

Suggested retail price: EUR 45.41 Excl. VAT