The image of Hong Kong postmen is deeply rooted in people’s minds. No matter rain or shine, streets or alleys, postmen can be easily found. Not only because of the heavy mail bag they carry and the devotion they have when delivering letters , it is also because of the distinctive uniform they wear.
Postmen wear uniform at work every day, therefore we must think in their shoes when designing the uniform. The design should also comply with the rules like “comfort” and “safety”. For the postmen who always work outdoors, the uniforms should be reasonably adaptive to the weather of Hong Kong, providing enough warmth during winters and being temperate enough during summers.
Besides, the postman uniform is also one of the icons of Hongkong Post. To a government department the uniform helps build a professional image. To the public it provides a means of identity verification. A smart-looking uniform also boosts staff’s morale and public confidence.
Despite increasing demands and rapid development of postal services over the years, uniform designs have always evolved under the constant theme of incorporating ‘good looks’ and ‘practicality’.
Before World War II, uniform designs were dominated by the considerations of images and looks, and the representation of the department. Comfort and practical needs were not the main concern in designing the uniform back then. In the post-war years we witnessed a change in attitude and practice. Staff’s opinions were collected and considered. To improve the qualities of uniforms and supplies, the Uniforms Committee was set up in 1969 to allow the management and frontline workers to review uniform designs jointly.
Over the past sixty years, Hong Kong postman uniform changed with times. In the 1950s, the design of the postman was relatively simple – a cap with a badge. From the beginning of 1960s, we could see summer uniforms adopting the grey drill short-sleeved shirts and trousers, and rough blue serge tunics with European-style trousers for the winter. In 1988, the summer shirt was a light blue short-sleeved Dacron paired with navy blue polyester trousers, while the winter coat was navy blue long-sleeved paired with trousers.
Operated as a trading fund in 1995, the Hongkong Post also launched a new corporate image in the same year. To match with the new image, Hongkong Post redesigned the postman uniform in 1997. The new design no longer featured deep colour tone. A relatively smart dark-green colour were used for the top, while the trousers were in dark-grey. Hongkong Post also provides specially designed rain suits for outdoor duties.
The uniforms from the 1960s to today all reflected their own characteristics. The improvement on designs was based on the effective communication between the Hongkong Post and the staff. It also reflects the development of postal business and the changes of social culture.