The Spanish diplomatic uniform: origin and evolution

Abstract

Uniforms have always served to distinguish groups of professionals. The Spanish Diplomatic Service counts itself among those groups that have in this garment one of their distinguishing feature. It is one of the last Services, most of them belonging to European monarchies, to have a uniform. Its use has nearly always been restricted to gala occasions. The garment has scarcely changed since its origins in the nineteenth century. Since 1928, the year when the unification of the Spanish Diplomatic and Consular Services occurred, there is only one model of uniform. Its identification symbols and the tradition laid down in this matter, where included in the Organic Regulations of the Diplomatic Service, dated July 15, 1955. Taking into account the changes that have affected this garment since then, a brief history of the origin and evolution of the uniform up to the current model is presented.