Brand Feature: Rugged Peach Workwear
*Transparency note: This is an independent, unsponsored brand feature. Build-Her.Org received no payment, products, or other compensation from Rugged Peach Workwear. We chose to share their story because we believe in their mission and the important conversation they are helping move forward.
For many women working in construction, manufacturing, logistics, and industrial environments, finding properly fitting PPE has historically been a challenge. For pregnant workers, that challenge often becomes something much greater.
Svetlana Blancher, founder of Rugged Peach Workwear, shares that the idea for the company came from firsthand experience while she was working as an environmental consultant on a Superfund site as a contractor for the EPA, where PPE was a daily requirement. She shared that while working on this site, over time she had two pregnancies, and she discovered that the available options for PPE weren’t designed with women in mind, let alone pregnant workers.
When she initially began searching for maternity-specific PPE, the results were surprising. “I was just flabbergasted that there was nothing,” she recalled. After exhausting every avenue she could think of, searching online, online retailers, specialty suppliers, and even Etsy (which is known for mostly handmade and vintage items), she still couldn’t find a practical solution that met safety requirements and was accessible to her. Svetlana mentioned that she found one option that could potentially work, but it was an overseas vendor. This left her asking a simple question, why wasn’t anyone designing PPE for pregnant women?
It was from that moment she made that commitment “…maybe I should just make it myself.” That moment became the foundation of Rugged Peach Workwear. From the beginning, the mission was never simply to create larger garments, Svetlana wanted to create workwear that prioritized both safety and comfort. Her thoughts on this were simple “If it’s not comfortable but it’s compliant technically, you’re probably just not going to wear it.”
Drawing from her own experience, she focused on creating garments that could adapt throughout pregnancy and postpartum recovery while still meeting the practical needs of women working in these environments that require PPE. Primarily Stretch. Comfort. Mobility. Functionality.
Rugged Peach Workwear was started, now we need to increase the conversations. What started as a discussion about maternity PPE quickly revealed broader challenges facing pregnant workers across the trades and industrial workforce. Svetlana shares that many companies still rely on an outdated approach when accommodations are needed. “The old way of thinking is always: just get the next size up.”
When she was left with this old familiar solution, she found that a larger size didn’t actually solve anything. The oversized PPE fit around her growing midsection but failed everywhere else. It was uncomfortable, restrictive, and often made her feel even more out of place on the jobsite. For women already navigating a male-dominated environment, that solution often creates new challenges. Svetlana jokingly described the experience as becoming a “giant traffic cone,” but beneath the humor lies a deeper issue. Ill-fitting PPE can affect confidence, comfort, mobility, and a worker’s sense of belonging, and those feelings can compound quickly.
It’s a thought of not belonging that many women have experienced at some point in their careers, especially when workplace systems weren’t originally designed with them in mind. Beyond PPE, Svetlana believes the industry still has significant opportunities to improve how it supports pregnant workers. Many safety professionals, supervisors, and employers want to do the right thing. The challenge is often a lack of awareness. At a recent conference Svetlana had a number of very supportive conversations and received a lot of feedback. “…they didn’t know this was an issue, and from our conversation now they know.” That awareness extends far beyond clothing.
Pregnancy can change how workers experience heat exposure, fall protection, chemical hazards, hydration needs, fatigue, and countless other jobsite conditions. Yet many organizations still rely on workers themselves to identify those risks. Svetlana believes companies should create clear processes and frameworks that help employees navigate those conversations without fear or uncertainty which is something that Svetlana is actively working on with various organizations. For employers, creating a supportive culture starts with making those conversations easier, not harder. Clear procedures, accessible resources, properly fitting PPE, and proactive safety discussions can make a meaningful difference for workers and their families.
Today, Rugged Peach Workwear represents more than a product line. It represents a growing movement to recognize and address the unique realities women face in the workforce. What began as one woman’s search for better PPE has evolved into a larger conversation about workplace safety, inclusion, and support for pregnant women working in these industries. She also encourages pregnant women to advocate for themselves “…shamelessly advocate for yourself and your baby’s safety!” Every pregnancy is different, and every jobsite is different, what feels manageable one month may become a serious concern the next.
Svetlana shares that she continues to find her efforts rewarding “…hearing women say ‘I wish this was available [during their pregnancy]…” it reminds her that she is doing work to support more women. At a recent conference she shared that the positive feedback she received in her conversations with those in the safety and PPE industry and helping to share information for those interested in learning has also given her a positive outlook on things changing for the better.
As Svetlana puts it: “It started out researching PPE and how to begin designing it, but this really starts long before PPE is even in the picture.” She encourages companies to invest in researching foundational information as it relates to safety and pregnant women. We encourage you to check out Rugged Peach Workwear, where they aren’t just creating better clothing, but helping create safer, more supportive workplaces for the women who wear it.
Connect with Rugged Peach Workwear:
Take the Survey: Pregnancy & Postpartum Survey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruggedpeachworkwear
LinkedIn: Rugged Peach Workwear: Posts | LinkedIn
Website: Rugged Peach Workwear