12 Things You Didn't Know About The SQ Girl's Uniform

The iconic Singapore Airlines sarong kebaya doesn’t just make the SQ girl look good – there are many clever design details you didn’t know about.

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/beauty-and-health/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-sq-girls-uniform/

#1 The uniform is designer wear

image

The iconic SQ girl uniform is designed by Pierre Balmain, notable haute couture fashion designer in 1972. The design has remained the same since its introduction and is one of the most recognisable uniforms in the airline industry.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

#2 There is more than one colour!

image

While most of us are familiar with the signature blue of the sarong kebaya, but there are actually four different colours – blue for flight stewardesses, green for leading stewardesses, red for chief stewardesses and purple for in-flight supervisors.

Photo: The Straits Times

#3 Makeup that matches

image

While we’re on the topic of different uniform colours, the makeup for each colour actually complements the uniform. Stewardesses can be assigned blue or brown palettes, leading stewardesses can be spotted with olive green, plum or brown eye shadow, chief stewardesses are allowed plum or brown, while in-flight supervisors wear blue, plum or brown eye makeup.

Photo: The Straits Times

#4 There are safety features you never knew about

image

The body-hugging sarong kebaya might look uncomfortable, but in times of emergency when mobility is a concern, you can actually tie up the skirt to allow ease of movement. There is a slit in the front of the skirt, and stewardesses can hold the two corners of the fabric, bring it up to their waist and tie it so that the skirt is shorter.

Photo: The Straits Times

#5 There are no standard sizes

image

The reason why SQ girls look so good in their uniform is because each one is tailor made. There are no standard sizing for the sarong kebaya as designer Pierre Balmain had insisted on a tailored fit to suit the feminine form.

Photo: The Straits Times

#6 The neckline holds a secret

image

The neckline of the sarong kebaya is actually made out of a straight piece of cloth, and takes meticulous skills to craft a beautiful-looking curve which makes up the neckline. There are more than 20 darts on each neckline, and although they look uniform, each curvature is custom for each stewardess.

Photo: The Straits Times

#7 One uniform for all flights

image

You might’ve noticed that other airlines have different variation of uniforms, with options of skirts or pants for the female cabin crew. That is because some Middle eastern countries require female cabin crew to cover their legs, but as the sarong kebaya features long skirts, there is no need for a variation of the uniform.

Photo: 123RF

#8 The uniform extends far beyond the sarong kebaya

image

Although you might think that the sarong kebaya is all that makes an SQ girl, an SQ girl, that’s far from the truth. Grooming is a huge part of the uniform, and that means having the similar makeup and hair. There is also a strict guideline on the watches, earrings, bracelets and rings that can be worn, their permitted colours and also size.

Photo: 123RF

#9 Baby, it's cold outside

image

When landing in countries with cold weather, stewardesses are required to put on a scarf, gloves and winter topcoat to stay warm. The scarf features the batik print on the sarong kebaya while the topcoat is dark blue in colour.

Photo: 123RF

#10 Stewardesses carry more than one pair of shoes

image

Most of us spot stewardesses with sandals but since the SQ006 crash in 2000, there had been questions raised regarding protective footwear. Covered shoes were then implemented which are worn by stewardesses during take-off and landing.

Photo: The Straits Times

#11 You can't really accessorize

image

Accessories are not part of the uniform and they place heavy emphasis on the things you can wear. Necklaces are not allowed, while earrings can only be silver, gold, pearl or diamonds that don’t exceed 0.75 cm in diameter.

#12 It comes with baggage

image

SQ girls are expected to behave a certain way whether they are on flights or in public places. For example, they are not permitted to use their mobile phones while walking, which means they actually have to stand at a corner if they would like to text or take a call.

Privacy Menu

12 Things You Didn’t Know About The SQ Girl’s Uniform

Privacy Menu

12 Things You Didn’t Know About The SQ Girl’s Uniform

SHARE THIS ON

What’s Hot

Don't Miss Out Ever Again!