On the subject of museum uniforms, whatever you do, don't dress your
employees in vests, the type worn by employees of big box stores.......it is
a very tacky look, and without naming institutions, I will say that it is
not classy garb.  If you are going to have uniforms, do something classy,
even if it means spending extra money.  Blazers look nice, as do cardigans.
Scarfs and ties look neat too. Fabric should be durable and appropriate to
the weather conditions, indoors and outdoors.  Keep the look neat and
simple, and for gosh sakes, issue the employee a uniform they don't have to
share with other staff members, if you want them to feel proud to wear it.
Having worn such a vest for a museum which shall remain nameless, I know of
what I speak.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Harold Needham [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2000 4:14 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: docent shirts/staff shirts
>
> In visiting museums around the world, I have seen an incredible variety of
> dress. Most institutions have uniforms for their security guards and staff
> on the floor, but relatively few seem to dress up their docents, other
> than
> parks (where all staff generally wear some sort of "ranger" uniform,
> regardless of what they did and where in the world they might be located),
> and staff in many outdoor sites, such as zoos or aquaria, where a simple,
> distinctive and often colourful uniform, such as an institutional golf
> shirt
> and slacks or shorts might be worn.
>
> In my experience, docents in museums tend not to wear uniforms, other than
> an identification badge, but are expected to dress to a certain standard.
>
> That standard varies greatly. In many institutions down under, casual
> dress
> is the order of the day. On the other hand, I worked in a museum where
> volunteer docents wore regimental blazer and tie, white shirt and gray
> flannels/skirt and medals and decorations - perhaps a bit much, but it WAS
> a
> war museum and the institutional culture called for it. Our salaried
> education staff normally wore military/naval uniform of an appropriate
> period when working with the public. Other staff who felt the need to
> dress
> for special occasions wore a shirt, tie and jacket (or equivalent for
> female
> staff) and stuck their medals on if it seemed appropriate (if they had
> any,
> which most did not). The volunteers always seemed disappointed when we
> neglected to wear them!!!
>
> The long and the short of it is that the culture of the particular
> institution dictates the dress.
>
> Harry
>
> "Sedula curavi humanas actiones non ridere,
> non lugere, neque detestare, sed intelligere'"
>
>                -  Spinoza (1632-77)  "Tractacus Politicus" 1, iv.
>
>
> Harry Needham, M.A., CFE, etc.
> President
> Harry Needham Consulting Services Inc.
> Training & consulting services for heritage institutions - and others!
> 74 Abbeyhill Drive
> Kanata, Ontario K2L 1H1
> Canada
> email: [log in to unmask]
> (Voice) +1.613.831-1068
> (Fax) +1.613.831-9412
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Chris Woodson <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2000 8:19 PM
> Subject: Re: docent shirts/staff shirts
>
>
> > When we expanded our site to include an exhibit hall and special
> programs
> > department, we adopted a "uniform" consisting of polo-style shirts,
> khaki
> > slacks and casual/dress type shoes.  This worked ok until summer rolled
> > around.  We finally revolted (whined and moaned) until khaki shorts and
> > tasteful (?) footwear were allowed.  I guess it's a toss up....how
> casual
> is
> > suitable for your facility?  I went on vacation this summer to some of
> the
> > state museums in Raleigh and winced at the blazer and khaki slacks-clad
> > docents standing around.  I'm sorry....all I could think was "yes,
> they're
> > dressed to reflect a certain level of professionalism, but doggone it,
> the
> > t-shirt and flipflop clad tourists where I work couldn't care less what
> we're
> > wearing".  I think there's probably a happy medium between shorts and
> blazers
> > that takes into account not only a certain "image" but the comfort of
> the
> > staff as well.
> >
> > Chris Woodson
> > Roanoke Island Festival Park/Elizabeth II state site
> > Manteo, NC
> >
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