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For the first time in 37 years, the ground staff of Malaysia Airlines has received a new uniform. With this, the airline moves away from the traditional sarong and embraces a more modern style. And that takes some getting used to. In this article, I’ll show you the old and the new clothing and I’m curious to hear what you think.
Old uniforms of Malaysia Airlines
First, let’s take a look at the old uniforms. In the photo below, on the left, you see a man and a woman in the clothing worn by ground staff. On the right, the clothing for the flight crew is depicted.
Until now, female staff wore a sarong kebaya. This is a garment that has long been an important part of Malaysian culture. It’s a combination of a blouse and a dress and is worn over the head. They are usually adorned with embroidery and lace.
The two sarong kebayas of Malaysia Airlines were designed over 37 years ago by the School of Fashion of the Mara Institute of Technology. At that time, the students depicted the flowers of Malaysia on the fabric using the kelarai pattern (diamond-shaped pattern).
Although I’m not an immediate fan of this clothing, I always appreciate it when an airline stays close to the culture of its country. It exudes pride, is unique, and therefore recognizable. These are important characteristics in aviation. Not only should passengers be able to recognize the staff, but it’s also handy for the employees themselves. At some airlines, there are so many employees that it’s impossible to know everyone.
Ground staff of Malaysia Airlines receives new uniform
However, the company has chosen to say goodbye to the traditional attire from 2024. And that’s not surprising. In 2023, Malaysia Airlines sent a survey to their frequent flyers. Among other things, it asked what passengers would think if there were to be a ‘modest twist given to the sarong kebaya.’ This would allow employees to wear a hijab.
Now it turns out that the company has more changes in store besides allowing a hijab. The ground staff has received a new, modern clothing package, which incidentally was designed by the employees themselves. And that’s quite a change.
The staff wears a custom-made three-piece suit, with the ladies having the option to choose between pants or a skirt. The blazers feature a so-called songket pattern, referring to Malaysian culture. According to the airline, the fabrics are flexible and lightweight.
For the first time, female staff also received a handbag and a clutch. Although it looks like they’re made of (imitation) leather in the photo, Malaysia Airlines says that the old uniforms are incorporated into them. Perhaps the fabric is incorporated into the lining of the bag, but that’s just an estimate because I haven’t seen any photos of that.
Modern improvement
I find the contrast between the old and the new clothing package very significant. They’ve gone from traditional but very colorful to a monotonous and businesslike appearance. In my opinion, the company could have chosen a middle ground by adding more colors to the new clothing. But since the organization wanted a modern look, I understand the choice very well. The new look is modern and representative. From that perspective, I think it’s definitely an improvement.
Greetings,