Beefeaters Get Fashion Face-Lift

Filed under: News

The standard red and gold uniform gets fashionably beefed up. Photo: Marco Secchi, Getty Images

London's Beefeaters -- guards at the Tower of London in England, who in theory look after the Tower's prisoners and safeguard the British crown jewels, but in reality serve as tour guides -- are undergoing a makeover of sorts: The Design Museum has helped commission fashion students to reinterpret the uniform of London's elite Yeoman Warders, aka, Beefeaters.

Wow your friends with these fun facts:

  • There are only 35 Beefeaters, all of whom protect the Tower of London.
  • A Yeoman Warder must first serve at least 22 years in Britain's armed services before being considered.
  • The first female Beefeater was appointed in 2007 (hence the female Beefeater uniform interpretation above).
  • Some believe the nickname "Beefeater" came about when the guards were paid partially in meat. How's that for a bonus?