Worst Work Uniforms: US Postal Workers

By Mike Schuster Jan 27, 2010 12:25 pm

For fans of blue and gray, there's a special delivery everyday.

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He may have told a compelling tale or two, but Cliff Clavin wasn't exactly the epitome of fashion.

In spite of this, in wearing the government-sanctioned colors of navy blue and charcoal, Cheers' resident windbag and his proud fellowship of US postal workers bear a badge of honor. Actually, it's not so much a badge as a patch bearing a blue eagle, but the sentiment is there. This noble independent agency of the US government takes special care in presenting itself with the utmost professionalism via competent, confident appearances -- minus the occasional bear gut.

And as official employees of the Zip Code and Commemorative Stamp, they're the only citizens legally allowed to purchase an authentic postal worker uniform. Tough luck, UPS (UPS) and FedEx (FDX). Your brown shorts and blue caps will have to do.

Prior to Congress passing legislation which established a bona fide postal uniform, the agency was comfortable with employees wearing their street clothes -- business casual or otherwise. However, that all ceased in 1868 with an official set of clothes.

The first incarnation exhibited a stylish touch in the form of a single-breasted, blue-gray coat which extended almost to the knee. Brass buttons adorned the coat, along with pockets on either side and above the left breast. Pants, buttoned vest, and cap were made of the same material, but they were nothing compared to the uniform's defining attribute: a cape. Why trudge through rain, snow, sleet, or hail without the appropriate feel of a superhero?

Although the postal uniform has undergone many changes since the days of wax seals and horseback, the modern era has kept letter carriers clad in standard fare: light blue button-down shirt, blue-gray slacks, racing stripe down the leg, sensible shoes -- the no-frills version of Amish day-wear, in other words. Skirts and culottes are permissible (for women) as well as rain gear -- parkas, leggings, and raincoats -- for weather's nastier elements. But despite the vehement demands from some of the more "constricted" male workers, kilts have yet to make their way into the official uniform.

An annual uniform allowance offers employees an opportunity to replace worn or damaged clothing in addition to building a respectable wardrobe. And as long as workers follow a strict guideline, they're able to mix, match, and vary outfits to display a very conformed sense of individuality.

But one of the more curious choices for the postal workers' outfit chiefly hails from the warmer states: pith helmets. Appearing in postal ads beginning in the late '40s, the white or light-blue plastic headwear protects the letter carriers on foot from the unforgiving rays of a summer sun. Sure, they may look a little silly outside the jungles of cannibal country, but there's more comfort in a receiving a package from someone who looks like they've traveled abroad.

As the world steadily gravitates toward email and text messages, there isn't much fanfare working in a dying industry. The US Postal Service has fallen into dire economic woes and has even considered dropping one day from their six-day schedule.

But that still allows them five days a week to look efficient in a professional uniform -- minus the pith helmet.