I’ve always found police uniforms incredibly fascinating. After all, they reflect what a country stands for, what people value, and which aspects of the culture dominate daily life. Today, I’m diving into Italian police uniforms: the story of the Carabinieri through time. And let me tell you right away: this uniform is anything but boring.
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Before I show you the uniforms, let me first explain how the Italian police are organized. This structure is quite unique compared to many other countries, as Italy has four different police forces—each with its own area of expertise.
Let’s start at the local level. In towns and villages, you’ll find the Polizia Municipale. Set up by the municipality, this force focuses mainly on keeping the streets safe. They handle traffic accidents, issue fines, and deal with minor violations.
Next, at the national level, there is the Guardia di Finanza. This is Italy’s fiscal police, responsible for tackling tax evasion, economic crimes, and permit fraud. Their role is crucial in fighting financial wrongdoing.
In larger cities, the Polizia di Stato works alongside the Polizia Municipale. Their tasks include general law enforcement, maintaining safety on highways, railways, airports, and waterways, and supporting customs control. They operate across a broad range of public safety domains.
Additionally, the Polizia di Stato often collaborates with the L’Arma dei Carabinieri, better known as the Carabinieri. This force handles serious crimes, helps maintain public order, and provides aid during natural disasters like earthquakes or floods. Unlike the other branches, the Carabinieri have military status. They supervise parts of the army and also take part in international military missions.
Italian police uniforms: the story of the Carabinieri through time
The Carabinieri was founded in 1814, long before Italy as a nation even existed. At the time, Victor Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy and King of Sardinia, created the corps to protect his kingdom. Interestingly, the name Carabinieri comes from the French word carabinier, meaning “soldier armed with a carbine.” This origin highlights the military roots of the force, which remain central to its identity today.
1835-1837
Over the last two hundred years, the uniforms have gone through several updates and adaptations. For example, one significant change involved replacing the jacket with a cape. This change wasn’t just for appearance, the cape provided better protection against the elements. Moreover, it fit easily over a backpack, making it practical for everyday use. When officers didn’t need it, they could simply roll it up and pack it away. In short, the design focused on both functionality and flexibility.
1868
1875
1917
At the beginning of the 1900s, war uniforms underwent several changes. The traditional cape made way for a more practical jacket. In addition, a clear distinction emerged between winter and summer clothing. Winter uniforms were mostly black, while summer versions featured lighter colors. To honor bravery, ribbons displaying heroic achievements were also introduced.
1943
1972
Looking at the old uniforms, it’s clear that appearance has always mattered. Back then, the designs featured bold contrasts, shiny buttons, and detailed emblems, all carefully chosen to convey authority and tradition. Today, not much has changed in that respect. In fact, the Carabinieri now wear uniforms designed by none other than the world-renowned Italian fashion designer Valentino.
For example, their daily summer uniform includes dark blue or black trousers, sometimes accented with a red stripe along the side. They pair this with a light or medium blue shirt and a matching hat proudly bearing the Carabinieri logo.
Carabinieri uniforms on special occasions
When it comes to style, we all know Italy is the land of fashion, and the Carabinieri confirms this once again. Their uniforms fit snugly around the body, exude authority, and are anything but boring. Personally, I love looking at them; they’re striking and refined. But what about you? What’s your impression of these eye-catching uniforms?
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