Rush to buy spare uniforms

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33448, 1 February 1974, Page 18

Rush to buy spare uniforms

Visiting Commonwealth Games team left-over Games uniforms. The colours and managers and officials have rushed to buy the cut of the jackets and slacks have been widely praised.

The chairman of the uniforms sub-committee (Mr G. J. Fernandez) said yesterday that about 12 spare lightblue jackets—the type worn by members of the Games organising committee—sold immediately when team managers were told they were for sale at cost. As well, there had been a strong demand for the 50 or so spare red jackets, buyers’ main worry being to find a jacket that fitted, Mr Fernandez said.

Spare Games officials’ shirts were in strong de-, mand. “but there are really none left now. “We should have made (about 2000 extra shirts and flooded the Games village with them. They’d have j sold—but of course you can’t know that sort of thing in advance.” Most arrangements for the uniforms had to be made : about two years ago, and because it was not known then (who would wear the uni- ' forms, they were made in a (full range of sizes. I In spite of this, the measurements of a few “custom-I (ers” were outside the range/ ■ leading to some hasty alterations.

The issue of nearly 2000 uniforms began early in December, and continued until after the Games started. Alteration specialists were on hand at the uniforms office in the latter stages to make last-minute fitting changes.

Most of the uniforms were | for Games officials, drivers, 'and members of the organising committee.

Organising committee members paid about $72 each towards the cost—about $lO0 —of their uniforms, and technical officials (the men in red jackets) paid about $4O towards a similar cost. Drivers did not have to pay anything towards their relatively simple uniforms of green slacks and tunic, for the men, or green frocks for the women. Committee members and

officials each received two pairs of socks, a pair of shoes, two shirts, a tie, a jacket, and a pair of trousers. Women received shoes, a skirt, and a jacket.