NAUMD Presents Public Safety Best Dressed
For the Best Uniform Programs in North America

Nashville, TN – May 27, 2016 – The North-American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD) awarded their Public Safety Best Dressed Awards to police, fire and sheriff uniform programs in the United States and Canada. The NAUMD has a 38 year tradition of recognizing the best dressed departments. Awards are given by category. Judges from the fashion industry award points for originality, meeting client objectives and overall design. “A well designed uniform program is distinctive, balances authoritative with approachability, while balancing the need for comfort and functionality for the public servants who wear it,” said Neal Waters, President of the NAUMD.

The uniform provider works with the department to provide uniforms that provide the functionality and comfort required by the job. Law enforcement officers especially have added more and more gear worn on their body. The uniform must work with the extra 25 lbs. the officers typically carry. Additionally, psychological studies have indicated that the color of the uniform effects both the public’s perception of the officer and the actual behavior of the officers. As society dresses more casually, the department must decide whether to adapt likewise or retain a more traditional, formal appearance. All of these issues go into the design and specifications that define a public safety uniform program. The ones that do it the best are chosen as winners by the NAUMD.

The winners by category are:

CATEGORY PROGRAM WINNER UNIFORM PROVIDER
Less than 100 officers Shelby County Township Police Nye Uniforms
101 to 200 officers St. Cloud Police Department Keeprs
201 to 750 officers Lafourche Parrish Sheriff Fechheimer
County Agency New Castle County Police Red the Uniform Tailor
Innovation – Tactical Uniform Mexican National Police 5.11 Tactical
Innovation – Pants Pima County Sheriff, AZ 5.11 Tactical
Innovation – Shirts Insight – Wearable Equipment Solution Horace Small, a VF Imagewear brand

About NAUMD

The North-American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors has presented awards since 1978. The purpose of the NAUMD is to help businesses in our industry to prepare for the future. You can learn more about the NAUMD and the awards program at either www.naumd.com or www.imageoftheyear.net.

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About Horace Small®

Outfitting law enforcement and public safety heroes for more than 65 years, the Horace Small® brand combines groundbreaking technical design, innovative fabrics, practical features, comfort, durability and professional appearance.

About VF Imagewear

VF Imagewear is a subsidiary of VF Corporation (NYSE:VFC), with two primary businesses: Image and Activewear. The Image apparel business provides a broad array of uniforms and protective apparel to corporate customers, government and public safety agencies, service businesses and industrial laundries. The Activewear business markets branded apparel under agreements with licensors such as the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Hockey League (NHL), the NCAA, leading Colleges under the ESPN College Game Day brands, NASCAR and Harley-Davidson.

VF Corporation is a leader in branded lifestyle apparel including jeanswear, outdoor products, intimate apparel, image apparel and sportswear. Its principal brands include Wrangler®, Lee®, Riders®, Rustler®, Vans®, Reef®, Napapijri®, Kipling®, Nautica®, John Varvatos®, JanSport®, Eastpak®, Vassarette®, Bestform®, Lily of France®, Lee Sport® and Red Kap®.