Hotel maid costumes have come a long way

Published on August 6, 2007

Bangkok's trendific Metropolitan hotel has clad its staff in uniforms created by Japan's Rei Kawakubo of the Comme des Garcons togs team.

Their former uniforms were designed by another Japanese, Yohji Yamamoto, but, you know, seasons change.

Design-wise, the new outfits match the hotel's "less is more" theme, but they do cover up everything. All in navy blue, the men wear a single-breasted blazer and white cotton shirt, while the women's jackets have a Peter Pan collar over a white, short-sleeved tee.

Everyone's in straight-legged slacks except for the women executives, who show a little leg in box-pleated half-kilts.

The staff better keep an eye on their laundry. Some guests might take a liking to their designer duds and "accidentally" stow them in their suitcases with the towels to take home.