Controversial goggle jackets on sale

10:47am Wednesday 2nd January 2008

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SHOPPERS at Bluewater are being offered the chance to buy clothes which cover the entire head - despite the centre's ban on hoodies.

In May 2005, Bluewater's management took the decision to ban shoppers from wearing clothing covering the head or obscuring the face unless worn for religious reasons.

But some stores at the Greenhithe shopping centre are now selling items which can be zipped up over the face, such as the goggle jacket.

Shopper Michelle Richards says she would never allow her 10-year-old son to wear the coat.

She said: "It looks so sinister. I can't believe they are being sold, especially as kids are banned from wearing hoods up in Bluewater anyway.

"I can't imagine why anyone would want to wear them either. They are awful."

The 30-year-old mum, from Welling, said: "There is no way I would ever let my son wear something which covers his face."

Dartford Council leader Councillor Jeremy Kite said: "It sounds like another trend for fashion victims.

"Shops have the right to bar entrance to people wearing inappropriate headware.

"It's a shame people would wear something like that."

However 59-year-old shopper Susan Gower, from Orpington, said: "If a group of people were wearing that, it would look menacing.

"But having had two boys who have now grown up, they would have wanted one.

"If just one person was walking through the shopping centre with one, then I wouldn't think anything of it."

Base is stocking a version produced by clothing company Carter UK.

The jacket, which is made of diving suit material, was brought into the shop in October and sold for £55.

Manager Jamie Carter said the first 80 sold so well, 150 more were ordered for Christmas.

Now they only have around 15 jackets left.

He said: "They have been flying out. Some older blokes want them for practicality reasons, such as skiing; the younger ones for fashion."

The high street versions of the jackets are based on a £500 to £700 goggle jacket made by Italian clothesmaker CP Company, which was inspired by racing driver outfits from the 50s.

Carter UK Ltd managing director Graham Orrell, said: "We have sold out.

"We produced 5,000 jackets. We will do a summer version soon with lighter-weight material.

"You couldn't wear it for any amount of time because your head would boil.

"It's just a fashion item. It's pure fashion.

"If someone was committing a crime, you would want them to be wearing one of these as they wouldn't be able to run away, as the eye pieces would have all steamed up."

He added: "It's something the kids have got into. We have sold a lot of smalls and mediums."

A spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers has said there is nothing illegal in wearing the jackets.

A Bluewater spokseman said: "The code of conduct advises guests on appropriate behaviour while visiting the centre.

"It does not ban the selling of hoodies. Therefore Bluewater is unable to dictate to retailers about what they can and can't sell."