Can I have a Shamrock Shake and a chic leather skirt? Maybe a McChicken with a business casual button-up on the side?
Designers in Finland have released contemporized uniforms for Finnish McDonald’s employees, showing the internet that fast food can be synonymous with high fashion.
“The McDrip goes crazy,” as one X user describes the famous franchise’s newest menu edition: designer clothes inspired by the McDonald’s workers’ uniform. The fashion offers a new-age, preppy style that still boldly embraces the timeless McDonald’s aesthetic. By incorporating the brand’s iconic colors and its signature golden arches, the full collection is an impressive improvement on what typical fast-food employees may wear to work.
It’s no easy feat to rebrand the uniform of the largest fast-food chain in the world into a trendsetting, fashion-forward garment, but McDonald’s Finland is leading the way. More than 27 pieces with 13 distinct looks have been created for runway-ready outfits. After holding a fashion show—appropriately at a McDonald’s—the clothes were given to employees.
Helsinki-based fashion label, VAIN is working to cement McDonald’s as a leader in pop culture and current trends. This includes being at the forefront of modern fashion, as more companies shift to current clothing options for their staff. FVAIN explained the need to inject positivity and individuality so workers feel more supported at work. We know confidence is directly influenced by how you’re dressed, so these advancements may surely shift attitudes in McDonald’s beyond just Finland.
Creative Director of VAIN and designer Jimi Vain was inspired by the time he spent in McDonald’s with friends as a teen in rural Finland. “It was open to everyone and felt like our connection to global culture.” His love for McDonald’s has been a lifelong interest, shaping his approach to redesign and reimagine with a true appreciation for the company’s core spirit.
Designers of this project actually reviewed old outfits required to be worn at work. The goal? To “take away the negative connotations of work uniforms and inject a little positivity and pride into the concept.” An honest effort to make work-life balance a more attainable need.
Curious why these outfits were created? “We wanted to celebrate our crew members and their contribution,” said Mat Nyström, McDonald’s Finland’s marketing director.
The company that designed these proudly upcycled their pieces from old McDonald’s uniforms, meaning the new products were made with parts from the past. It’s almost a “McShip of Theseus” situation—old apparel now serving a greater purpose as a newer outfit that actually slays. Reincarnated fashion, for sure, given a much better look in this new life!
Unfortunately, the only way to get one of these killer outfits is through an internal raffle—exclusively for Finnish McDonald’s employees. Your options? Get that work visa ready or find a kind soul willing to resell online. Considering how beloved these outfits are by staff and employees alike, we’re hoping it’s only a matter of time before McDonald’s workers stateside get new threads, too.
One piece we would love to get our McNuggets-stained hands on: the rocker belt-turned-skirt. Some of the tops are club-ready, leaving you set for a great night out after your shift—no outfit change required. McDonald’s has given us so many incredible things: Grimace, the McRib, and now, an exquisite Finnish-only line of couture fashion.
Check out these models serving looks, while literally ready to serve food, too. While there are no current plans to spread these garments outside of Finland, we’re excited to see more fun takes on functional fashion in the future.
We saw the incredible collaboration between TELFAR and White Castle – what brands do you think are going to take over the worlds of fashion and fast-food next?
Check out all the new uniforms below!
