Custom Uniforms Made Stylish: How Palmetto Car Rentals Partnered with a Fashion Design Freelancer on ZapMyWork

A Fresh Look for the Frontline: Palmetto Car Rentals’ Story

Palmetto Car Rentals had always believed in doing things with a little extra polish. From the moment a customer stepped into one of their well-maintained vehicles, the experience was meant to feel smooth and reliable. Every detail—down to the scent inside the car—was part of a bigger picture. Their business wasn’t just about transportation; it was about creating an experience people could trust.

But when it came to how their staff looked, something didn’t sit right.

Their employees were the first people customers interacted with, yet the uniforms didn’t reflect the energy or personality of the brand. The color scheme was dull, the fit was generic, and the overall appearance felt like an afterthought. The outdated style clashed with the modern, customer-first service they prided themselves on. Even the employees admitted that the uniforms didn’t feel great to wear.

It wasn’t just about appearances. The team was active—moving between the counter, the garage, and the lot—so comfort and flexibility mattered. Shirts clung awkwardly in summer heat. Jackets didn’t hold up in rainy weather. It was clear that the uniforms weren’t made with their actual day-to-day responsibilities in mind.

The leadership team at Palmetto knew it was time for a change. They weren’t looking for a cookie-cutter solution from a catalog. They wanted uniforms that made their staff feel comfortable and confident—something that looked sharp, felt great, and aligned with their upbeat, customer-focused identity.

They needed someone who could take the brand’s voice and personality and translate it into clothing. That meant working with a designer who understood more than just aesthetics. They needed someone who could think about the people wearing the clothes, the work they were doing, and how they’d be perceived by customers.

That’s when they discovered ZapMyWork—a freelance services marketplace where businesses could connect directly with creative professionals for all kinds of projects. Rather than hunting through agencies or dealing with long-term contracts, they found an easier way to get straight to the kind of talent they were looking for.

Within days, they connected with a freelance fashion designer who understood exactly what they were after—and things started to come together.

Finding the Right Fit: Why ZapMyWork Was the Right Move

Palmetto didn’t want to go through the hassle of hiring a full-time designer. Adding someone to the payroll for a one-time project just didn’t make sense—especially when they weren’t looking for a long, drawn-out process filled with back-and-forth meetings and internal approvals. What they needed was someone who could jump in quickly, understand their needs, and offer solutions without the overhead of onboarding or training.

They were looking for flexibility—someone who could take direction but also offer ideas that pushed the design beyond the basics. Creativity was a must, but so was practicality. This wasn’t about runway fashion. It was about outfitting real people doing real work, in clothing that looked sharp but could also handle the demands of the day-to-day.

That’s when they turned to ZapMyWork.

The platform made it easy to sort through freelance profiles, check out previous work, and get a feel for each designer’s style. No cold emails, no middlemen—just direct access to talented creatives from all over the world. The built-in messaging system allowed them to ask questions and start conversations right away. And most importantly, they could see ratings and reviews from other clients, which helped narrow down the list.

After looking through a handful of portfolios, one designer immediately stood out: Elisa Moretti.

Her work struck the perfect balance between fashion-forward thinking and functional design. She had worked with a mix of companies in the hospitality and transportation industries, designing everything from airport lounge staff uniforms to upscale hotel concierge apparel. Her style was clean and tailored, but still approachable—exactly the vibe Palmetto was going for.

What really sealed the deal was her attention to detail in previous projects. Her past designs included practical touches like moisture-wicking fabrics, ergonomic fits, and subtle brand accents—all of which aligned with Palmetto’s vision.

After one video call and a short project brief, it was clear she understood what they needed. And just like that, Palmetto had their designer. No long contracts. No drawn-out negotiations. Just the right person for the job, ready to go.

The Project Brief: More Than Just Looks

The goal wasn’t just to make the staff look good—it ran deeper than that. The uniforms needed to function well in the real world, not just in a designer’s sketchbook. Palmetto Car Rentals knew their team was constantly on the move—checking in customers, hauling luggage, inspecting vehicles, and sometimes running between the office and the lot under the blazing sun or in unexpected rain. A sharp appearance was important, but it couldn't come at the expense of practicality.

Elisa Moretti understood this from the start. She didn’t jump straight into sketching designs or picking fabrics. Instead, she asked questions—lots of them. She spoke with the front desk staff, observed how the lot attendants moved throughout the day, and even reviewed security footage to get a feel for how much bending, reaching, walking, and lifting the uniforms would need to handle.

After a week of gathering insight, Elisa presented a well-thought-out plan that checked all the boxes. She didn’t just design for style—she designed for real people doing real work.

Her design priorities focused on four main pillars:

✅ Brand Alignment

The existing uniforms lacked personality and didn’t reflect the company’s identity. Elisa suggested subtle but intentional ways to integrate Palmetto’s signature navy blue and gold into the designs. Instead of loud logos or overpowering color blocks, she proposed understated piping, color-accented button stitching, and discreet logo embroidery on sleeves and lapels. The result? Staff looked polished and instantly recognizable without feeling like walking billboards.

✅ Comfort

The team worked long shifts, often moving in and out of vehicles or helping customers with luggage. Elisa chose breathable, lightweight fabrics that held up against heat and humidity but didn’t lose their structure in cooler temperatures. Wrinkle resistance was also key—no one wanted to look rumpled halfway through their shift. With stretch woven into the fabric blend, the uniforms offered flexibility without compromising shape.

✅ Functionality

This was where Elisa’s thoughtful design approach really stood out. She included:

• Deep, angled pockets positioned for quick access without bulk

• Reinforced seams to prevent tearing during frequent movement

• Machine-washable materials for easy care

• Badge loops and utility tabs hidden in the design for added convenience
  Everything served a purpose, right down to the collar structure that kept shirts looking crisp, even on high-traffic days.

✅ A Modern Silhouette

Out with the boxy, shapeless cuts. Elisa’s designs introduced more tailored fits that worked across different body types. She provided both men’s and women’s options—fitted but not tight, structured but still breathable. The jackets had subtle tapering and stretch panels under the arms, offering a tailored look without sacrificing range of motion. For a finishing touch, she gave the shirt hems a curve so they could be worn tucked or untucked depending on the setting.

What Elisa delivered wasn’t just a uniform—it was a smart, wearable solution that aligned with the Palmetto brand and the realities of their day-to-day operations. It showed in the way staff carried themselves. They looked sharper, felt better, and were more comfortable tackling their tasks—without tugging at their collars or adjusting stiff seams. It was a wardrobe refresh that made sense for real life, not just on paper.

The Final Look: A Seamless Blend of Style and Function

Over the course of three weeks, Elisa Moretti kept a steady rhythm, balancing creative development with practical delivery. She broke the project into manageable phases, checking in with Palmetto regularly to make sure everything was moving in the right direction. The communication was seamless, and each step built on the last—bringing the company’s vision closer to reality with every update.

Here’s what she delivered along the way:

✏️ Sketches and Mockups for Feedback

Early in the process, Elisa shared hand-drawn sketches and digital mockups that captured several design directions. These weren't just generic clothing templates—they were tailored visuals that reflected Palmetto’s branding, color scheme, and staff roles. She welcomed feedback and treated the process like a true collaboration, making sure the team felt involved and heard at every stage.