Smart Old-Style Zoo Uniforms.

[European Fauna]

Are there any zoos out there still using the traditional old-style uniforms every self-respecting keeper wore until around the end of the 1970´s?I refer to jacket, cap, polished shoes, the full monty.Often the jacket would have "keeper" embroidered or even better "Superintendent" or suchlike.The zoo tie was also a source of great pride, and maybe a badge.

These had many advantages , but I believe their decline was caused by the following factors, in no particular order of importance:-

*The public interface moved away from the keepers and towards education staff and zoo volunteers.
*Increasing no. of women keepers - a nice ladies´uniform would be easy to do,but nobody seemed to get around to it.
*Changing hairstyles - the uniforms only looked good with short back and sides type hairstyles or bald.
*Anti-militarism and anti- anything in a uniform political currents.
*Exaggerated cost-cutting which also did away with the very nice notepaper and envelopes in many zoos.

I have a strange sixth sense that these uniforms may be set for a comeback.Obviously, they were never intended to and never will ,replace the real work clothes.The uniform is basically for wearing during a quiet couple of hours during the day, posing for photos with the stock , and taking questions from the public.Zoo volunteers and education staff are the best of the best, but the public still enjoy a chat with an actual "Keeper".And most of the staff LOVE the uniforms.I say bring them back , and also lots of the ridiculous old titles such as "Upper Section Senior Keeper" , "Lake Area & Carnivore Superintendent" etc etc.Great fun and due for a return.What do Zoochatters say?

 

[JerseyLotte]

I'm not sure if the main problem is that its an unrealistic view?

Even when posing and in your finest, you're a zoo worker, an eccentric, hands dirty type of grafter and animal enthusiast. The idea of wearing polished shoes anywhere in a zoo unless you're at Director level and clearly rarely stepping from your office let alone in dirt, is just false.

I think it's a social thing in general, Britian at least became less about maintaining a polished and presented exterior at all times and more about realism at work and an appreciation for what it really takes.

The Curator of our Dept. usually wears the silver grey shirt of the Trust complete with a spot of embroidery, but he certainly wouldn't wear a tie, slacks or polished shoes. Even in his numerous TV appearances and interviews he's seen with a ponytail, Durrell shirt, shorts! and Hiking/workboots. That's the real look of a Zooworker

 

[torie]

also somewhere like Australia there totally impractical. when your working outside in 40 degree heat the last thing you want to be wearing is a jacket, fancy shirt and suit type pants!