Sexy as a Postman? New USPS Smart Apparel Line Can Make It Happen

An 1892 photo of the Eustis, Florida Post Office. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/139929

The weather has been perfect lately but sooner than later the rain season will be back and before you know it you’ll be wishing for some clothes to help keep you dry.  The United States Postal Service is here to help.  As a part of an update at the post office that is attempting to bring in revenue at the ailing organization that reported a $1.3 billion loss during the first quarter they are introducing a new line of extreme weather smart apparel.  

The ‘Rain, Heat, & Snow’ collection will be a line of ‘smart apparel’ that is designed for extreme weather. 
Alluding to the post office’s unofficial motto ‘Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stay these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds,’ the line will include jackets, headgear, and footwear.  The clothing will allow for integration of devices such as smart phones. 

Postal Service Corporate Licensing Manager Steven Mills explains “This agreement will put the Postal Service on the cutting edge of functional fashion. The main focus will be to produce ‘Rain Heat & Snow’ apparel and accessories using technology to create ‘smart apparel’ — also known as wearable electronics.”

The clothing will be produced by Ohio based Wahconah Group, Inc and sold in premium department stores and specialty shops nationwide but it will not be sold at post offices themselves.  The post office will not be required to invest any money in the venture but they will collect roalty fees from the licensing of the name and logo.  The post office did try to sell merchandise once before, back in the 1980s when it got into the market with themed ties, mugs , and other small accessories.  That attempt was eventually blocked by complaints that it was not licensed to sell merchandise. 

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