Rail service Eurostar has introduced new gender-neutral uniforms for staff, including Dr. marten boots and skirts for men. The new uniforms are intended to “empower staff to express their individuality.” This is the first redesign of Eurostar uniforms in over a decade, and the collection comprises 54 pieces of clothing designed to “fit all genders, body types, and personalities.”
According to Eurostar, the new uniform collection underwent 2.5 years of deliberation in order to meet the varied needs of today’s Eurostar staff and was co-created with 80 employees. Finalized looks were launched at the end of September in an onboard fashion catwalk at the Gare du Nord station in Paris.
Eurostar has a fleet of 51 high-speed trains, making it the largest international high-speed rail network in Western Europe. In 2024, the carrier saw 19.5 million passengers serving 28 destinations across Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
The New uniforms include a navy blue monochrome suit, graffiti-patterned neckerchiefs inspired by the street art of Brussels and Amsterdam, and British Dr. Marten boots. Designer Emmanuelle Plescoff said of the collection: “Working with Eurostar has been a unique experience, as it is the first time I have seen a company place such strong emphasis on involving its employees in the creative process.”
“This collaboration has resulted in a collection that balances simplicity, reliability, and a metropolitan flair, symbolized through signature accessories like green Dr. Martens,” he continued. The uniforms are made with recycled materials, including organic cotton and polyester, and in turn, the company plans to launch a recycling campaign to repurpose old uniforms.
Though uniform redesigns don’t usually make political and social statements, Eurostar is not the first travel company to introduce gender-neutral uniforms. According to Daily Mail, in 2022 Virgin Atlantic updated its uniform policy, removing gendered clothing requirements. Around the same time, the airline also introduced optional pronoun badges for staff to wear.
Speaking at the launch of the uniforms, Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave said “The new look is a reflection of who we are. It shows Eurostar heritage and our European spirit going forward. Chic, elegant and iconic.”
