The fashion police are coming to the rescue—of a distant cousin. Scotland Yard is getting a visit from the fashionably fit.
In what some are calling a “historic moment” the iconic bobby’s uniform worn by members of the British police force is getting a makeover. According to the Metropolitan Police, the force has recruited students from the London College of Fashion, whose alumni includes celebrity shoemaker Jimmy Choo, to help redesign the uniform for the 21st century.
For years police officers have complained that their foot-high helmets topple when they chase suspects. Proving that while the uniforms may be stylish (in a traditional sort of way), they are incredibly impractical. Fashion students promised as part of the project they will improve upon the bell-shaped helmets, which are currently made of cork.
The impending makeover has caused quite a stir among Brits. Some say the traditional Met uniforms should remain while others are anxious to see what the design students can do to update the look.
Julian Bennett from the British version of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” even weighed in on the subject saying the fashion students should look to the French gendarmes’ for inspiration.
“Their uniforms are absolutely remarkable. It’s an all-in-one uniform, it’s light, it’s wearable, it’s durable, you can run in it – you can do anything in it,” Bennett told British televison reporters.
“If you look at a lot of the police uniforms … they’re so odd, the hats are horrible as well. I think a lot of the time when you see the police on the street they look terribly uncomfortable,” he said.
For the record, this isn’t the first time the topic of updating the uniforms has come up. According to the BBC, there were rumblings of a change a few years ago, but after police forces in North Wales drew criticism when they decided to replace their official white shirt and tie for all-black turtlenecks and combat trousers (the design was called “sinister” and “unfriendly”), Scotland Yard had a change of heart.
Now, the Metropolitan Police Authority say they are looking forward to the change. Officers will be able to add their input regarding the new design and a group of 50 male and female officers will test it before any final decisions are made.
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