Bulletproof couture

A button down blazer.  A v-neck wool sweater. A Nehru vest. A polo shirt. What do all of these have in common? They can and are being made bulletproof by Colombian company Miguel Caballero Bulletproof Attire.  It’s a clothing line “European style clothing designed exclusively for the client seeking stylish yet camouflaged bulletproof options.” Fabulous!

Clients have included everyone from King Abdullah II of Jordan, a Thai princess, Diddy, Colombia’s ex-president Uribe as well as political leaders of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Malaysia,  and others.  And we can’t forget bulletproof vestments for Catholic priests (and an accompanying bulletproof Bible and blanket) or hoodies favored by rappers. There’s a special version for stab protection and models for women. 

As you can imagine, there’s growing demand worldwide which will undoubtedly grow. 98% of the production is for export and there’s even a special boutique in London’s Harrod’s, which sells the golf shirts for $12,000.

As  detailed in an article in The New Yorker, there’s a precedent for bulletproof clothing: a suit worn by an Australian outlaw Ned Kelly in 1880. No lightweight this one: it clocked in at 90 pounds. Worn in a legendary shootout with local authorities, it was said to “keep him alive long enough to be hanged”.

Could be a travel partnership here – how about an extreme adventure travel package that includes his/her bulletproof outfitting. Perfect for Christmas or for the person who has experienced everything.