Fashion expert Darren Kennedy has given his view on the new Garda uniform and reckons it will inspire confidence amongst the public.
On Monday, the new uniform was unveiled for over 13,000 gardai who will in future wear polo shirts, two-tone soft shell and waterproof jackets and operational trousers.
The uniform will also be clearly badged with the Garda crest for the first time.
Gardai will no longer wear shirts and ties, except on formal occasions, but will continue to wear the distinctive Garda peaked cap.
Critiquing the uniform, stylist Darren said its new look was “dynamism”.
He said: “People are so reluctant to change, and I like everyone else probably have this nostalgic attachment probably to the previous uniform, which I didn’t realise I had. It was very gentleman-like and formal but ultimately when you looked at it, it didn’t really look like it was fit for purpose when you consider what the guards have to deal with today.
“So when I look at this, I’ve seen some people comparing it to the Ikea uniform, but I’m going to take a different tact – I think the two tone high vis mountain bike jacket, for example, there is a sense of dynamism to it.
“It feels much more dynamic and current. I think over the long term it will inspire confidence.”
Darren said it will make gardai look more agile.
“You want to feel the police force is more agile and is literally able to run down the street and chase the robbers or whatever they need to be able to do.
“I think this uniform feels more dynamic to me. Even the fact that they have a high vis ballistic vest, that shows you how, I wonder did any of the previous uniforms have any ballistic qualities to it.”
Darren said that even though the cargo trousers don’t look as sharp as the previous uniform, it will allow gardai to move more freely while on duty.
“The fact that the guard now has pockets and it is going to be able to run or jump over a wall to me makes sense.”
Opening up about the uniform’s durability, Darren said although many have criticised that the uniform looks cheap, the fabric is more durable.
“The fabrics are much more modern fabrics, they’re durable, wicking technology - it’s smarter technology so I believe for the guards wearing it, it will be a much more comfortable outfit to wear. Wicking technology is what we have in sportswear where it draws moisture from the body so you are not going to sweat as much so I think in terms of summer wear, it is going to look much better.”
But he said he does have a big question mark over the t-shirt.
“From a fashion point of view, I would never wear a t-shirt with a half-cut sleeve because you’re drawing all your attention to the elbow and let's face it no one’s elbow is really sexy.
“I know that isn’t the goal with the garda uniform, but the epaulets just look like they’re not supported on the t-shirt and also the collar looks quite limp and it is quite large so in order for that collar to keep shape, it’s got to have some support.
“The epaulets look like they are hanging off, the sleeve cut I don’t like, and the colour feels wishy washy. I think if that entire outfit was a navy t-shirt with navy trousers, it would give it a completely different dynamic.
“But that being said it would look more military. The blue with the navy is softer.
“That’s the thing about the guards, they’re always approachable so you don’t want to lose that either.”
