Sorry to hear that Andy...although I'm sure the pension still comes in handy

My dad spent a similar period in uniform, though I can't believe a nefarious plot by the 'real' govt was applied to the public transport system of the Aldershot and Wey Valley region. Unless the buses were used to ferry somnambulant worker drones to hive like factories and offices...oh shit, it's starting to make sense...I'm glad dad's not here to see this...

Public sector uniforms have declined along with the standard of dress in society. When I was a kid lots of people who dealt with the public wore a formal uniform, police, fire, ambulance, London Transport, railway platform staff, even park keepers wore variations of a navy blue tunic and trousers with a collar and tie and a peaked cap. However there is something in what Shooey says; i.e. when public officials were dressed like this they represented authority and the prepondrance of uniforms on the streets helped to keep the lid on things .  Privatisation, health and safety and the need to drive down costs have changed all this and now most of these people are wandering around in combat trousers and polo shirts. It's more safe and practical, that much can't be denied, but I can't help thinking that when cops turn up at a situation dressed up as if they are ready for a fight it's not surprising when there is a fight. When you wore a tunic with shiny buttons, neatly pressed trousers and polished boots the decision by a ne'er do well to disturb the personage of an officer of the law seemed a much more serious line to cross. For the last few years I've been working for the MoD police and we've gone into the black polo and combats with unobtrusive rank badges. Unfortunately this has much the same appearance as that worn by the cleaning and catering staff, so I have found that as I walk around MoD HQ in Whitehall, far from exerting some subliminal masonic control, I occasionally get civil servants coming up to me to report blocked toilets etc. This is no good for credibility.

Family was away, so met a friend for lunch, a few espressi and browsing shops.

Wore a modern blue BB OCBD, brownish polo chino ( trimmed, tapered, back buckle, Ralph would not recognise it anymore), chocolate dessies. Old Trafalgar surcingle belt ( dark brown leather, dark green with burgundy stripe). Second airing for my DIY tweed jacket (bw herringbone). Topped with navy Aquascutum Aquamac and a tartan scarf in shades of grey/black/red.

Was a great day. Back home, soul in the air and awaiting the crew back home.

Height doesn't really mean much when you're armed with pepper spray and a batton.

I'm such an easy going chap btw. I never usually make statements like this but..... I agree with you here Kingston1an. Wel on the subject of police and tats. Not about the female coppers. I think tattoos make Police look like yobs. Fake tan too. Earrings! Bleurgh! It's all about projecting the image, as Woof alluded too and appearance for me is as important as uniform.

Bouncers are more smartly dressed than police these days.

And have they relaxed the fitness requirements to be police? There are some bloated bobbys walking around.


That's as far off topic as I'm going today.