work clothes with cop belt?

[dutchguy]

I posted some messages earlier. I am a big fan of wearing a wide heavy belt with my outfit. Since I am an IT technician I am always carrying some tools with me (flashlight, multitool, knife etc). I have a police belt with some pouches for this stuff that I like to wear for work. Practical, because I don't have to put all stuff in my pockets anymore plus I personally like the look of those belts. I am wearing this belt over a smaller underbelt to which it is attached with some snaps, exactly like the cops wear it.

Some people may think this is crazy, but I would like to hear what you think about this. Is it OK to wear this belt with my outfit? Does it look ok, or does it look very odd?
Yes, a lot of people ask me if I am a cop.......
However if the cops wear this type of belt for a purpose, why can't I?
I attached some pictures, the pants are regular levi's

 

[Goblin]

I put myself through law school working as a graduate assistant in my university's IT department, and I can honestly say I never saw anyone dressed even remotely like that. IT departments being what they are, you can probably get away with nearly anything. "Can" and "should" are two different things.

I think it looks so odd to me because you're wearing it with a double-pocket, short-sleeved button down. I also worked as a security guard.

So that's the image that springs to mind for me.

But if you like the belt, and it's functional, that's pretty much the bottom line. Many sacrifices can be made in the name of personal taste and functionality.

 

[dutchguy]

I agree it does look like a security guard, that's also the remark I get from many people. However I really like such a big belt, to me they look pretty cool. Maybe because I always wanted to be a cop when I was a child....
Besides that I like the practical part that I can put all kinds of working tools on it.
Any suggestions for a matching shirt I could wear with this belt, that doens't look to striking? Personally I think that a dress style shirt looks very odd with such a big belt. I am not a dress style type of guy. I prefer army style shirts (with fronts pockets and shoulder epaulets) or plain shirts.
I think clothing represents who you are and it is important to feel well about that you are wearing. On the other hand you want something that looks OK to people around you and is 'accepted' by people you deal with.
Hope to hear some more opinions abou this.

 

[stach]

Is a t-shirt with a vest acceptable at your place of work?

 

[Bradford]

Gordon - is that you?

You remind me of my crazy college roommate who became the head RA in the dorm and would put on military camo gear to make his rounds

As to the outfit, I agree you do look like a security guard... I mean if you like it, fine, but how about a t-shirt or even a golf shirt?

Personally, I would just wear cargo pants and stick my flashlight and multi-tool in those pockets.

Or maybe try a safari vest...

 

[dutchguy]

I currently work as a freelancer for different companies, so nobody tells me what to wear, no dress code. I personally like plain/military style shirts. The light blue color though in combination with this belt is pretty much associated with security/police. I am not sure if this is 'acceptable' or not?
Personally I would like to keep wearing my style including the police belt, since I really like this belt. I am wondering if a different shirt might work better?
I still need to look somehow professional when I visit a customer to perform a job. Any suggesions are welcome.

 

[stach]

I think you should put a plain cotton vest over the shirt. The vest should cover about half of your equipment belt. I know the Dutch are kinky but the belt looks a little weird imo.

 

[Fuuma]

Originally Posted by Bradford

Gordon - is that you?

You remind me of my crazy college roommate who became the head RA in the dorm and would put on military camo gear to make his rounds

As to the outfit, I agree you do look like a security guard... I mean if you like it, fine, but how about a t-shirt or even a golf shirt?

Personally, I would just wear cargo pants and stick my flashlight and multi-tool in those pockets.

Or maybe try a safari vest...

I second the safari or other high capacity, multi-pocketed vest, those look cool in the right context (think photographer)

 

[HEWSINATOR]

I think this looks silly, to be blunt. However, as I said in the other thread (IIRC), if you like it and it is useful, then wear it.

 

[dutchguy]

Thanks a lot for all your suggestions, appreciate that.
The idea of wearing a safari style vest sounds good. This would fit my style, since I am more this outdoor type of person. This would cover part of my equipment belt, so that I am not directly associated with a cop. I believe I still have a tan color safari vest somewhere. Not sure yet which shirt I should wear underneath.

 

[stach]

I think the shirt in the photo would be good with the vest.

 

[Wade M]

Don't wear light blue shirts, and you'll look less like the po po. The image we've ALL be branded with is blue + big belt = cop/security. Wear whatever you want, just not blue if you want to avoid the look. Personally, I'd be wearing vendorwear if you've got it, or just nice plain t's....If you want to go more formal, the belt will be out of place. The belt's not formal, use the freedom it allows. --Wade Edit/PS; When I was a hands on techy, I carried a bag with all my tools

 

[Bradford]

Originally Posted by dutchguy

Thanks a lot for all your suggestions, appreciate that.
The idea of wearing a safari style vest sounds good. This would fit my style, since I am more this outdoor type of person. This would cover part of my equipment belt, so that I am not directly associated with a cop. I believe I still have a tan color safari vest somewhere. Not sure yet which shirt I should wear underneath.

Ummm - I was actually thinking that you might use the vest to replace the equipment belt. The more I think about, the more I find the belt to be really geeky.

 

[mrchapel]

Originally Posted by Bradford

Ummm - I was actually thinking that you might use the vest to replace the equipment belt. The more I think about, the more I find the belt to be really geeky.

I completely agree. Those belts are designed for police/military exclusively. If you wanted to wear the large belt like you have without the different holsters, that would look better. But then you'd have to wear pants that have large enough loops to hold the belt. Those belts are heavy and are very thick, and will beat the crap out of pants that don't have large enough belt loops.

 

[stach]

Equipment belts are not made to be threaded into loops, because then you would have to thread the pouches onto the belt each time you put the belt into pants. Cops usually wear a leather barracks belt to hold up their pants.