Even though police uniforms last a very long time, the day will eventually come when it’ll be time to retire one that’s seen better days. If it’s been a while since you’ve bought a new one, or this is your first time getting one, there are some things you should look for before buying a police uniform. We’re here to make sure you go into this purchase well-informed.
Better Quality Materials
Chances are, your old uniform was pretty rigid and uncomfortable. While it wasn’t ideal, this was the price for having something more durable—that’s not the case anymore. Clothing technology has advanced quite a bit in recent years. Buying a uniform made with pliable, stretchy materials is now possible without sacrificing too much durability. This will give you a much more extensive range of movement.
Some police uniforms even use something called ripstop, which uses nylon woven in a special technique that stops rips and tears from getting too large. That means you won’t have a completely ruined uniform if anything goes awry in the line of duty. In many cases, you’ll be able to repair any tears and make the uniform like new again.
Moisture-Wicking Properties
There’s nothing worse than being stuck in a sweaty uniform on a hot day. With your new uniform, you can make those conditions much more tolerable. Many articles of clothing use synthetic blends that specialize in wicking away moisture. This is especially useful if you sweat a lot, but it can also help you and your clothes dry faster if they get wet through other means.
Stain-Resistance Features
Speaking of getting wet, if you get splashed with dirty water or get anything else on your nice, new uniform, you won’t have to worry about it getting stained if you bought something with stain-resistant features.
Many police uniforms have durable water repellant (DWR) built into them, which will keep the dirt from getting into the fibers in the first place. It’s a must-have feature to look for when buying a new police uniform for both on-duty and office accidents.
Exact Size Requirements
Finally, we come to size requirements. You might remember these from the last time you got a new uniform. Depending on how long ago that was, the sizing standards or your dimensions might have changed. That’s why it’s essential for you to know how police uniform sizing works.
Once you know your measurements, make sure the store you buy your new uniform through has all the size requirements listed for each article of clothing. This will help you make sure you get the perfect size the first time instead of needing to replace parts that don’t fit.