MiguelCaballero

Obama's Big Bucks Bulletproof Wardrobe?

Filed under: Apparel

There's been a lot of speculation over whether Barack Obama actually wore bulletproof clothing when he was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States on Jan. 20. There were certainly a number of extraordinary security measures in place. One thing's for certain however - the only person capable of making bulletproof clothing that's indistinguishable from your average Hart Schaffner Marx ensemble is Colombian designer Miguel Caballero - but it costs a hell of a lot more.

(For the record, Caballero's rep declined to comment when we asked if they'd furnished the President with any clothing.)

Back in October we told you about Caballero's stylish $10,000 quilted riding jacket. Known as "The Armani of Armor", Caballero developed a proprietary lightweight anti-ballistic fabric which he fashions into a number of garments, including a bulletproof tuxedo shirt (above). This allows for maximum flexibility and discretion while providing protection from weaponry ranging from a 9mm pistol to an Uzi, depending upon the security level you select.

Caballero's high-end Black Label line, favored by such security-conscious VIPs as Prince Felipe of Spain, President Álvaro Uribe of Colombia and President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela, also features a $12,000 bulletproof polo shirt, a trench coat, leather jackets and even ski gear. An additional stab-proof lining is optional on most garments. Check out the gallery for some more of his attack-proof designs.

Gallery: Miguel Caballero Bulletproof Clothing

Tags: Barack Obama, BarackObama, Bulletproof, Colombia, Miguel Caballero, MiguelCaballero, Obama, Security

The Quilted Riding Jacket That Stops Bullets

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style

We've long been fans of the quilted riding jacket, as popularized by the classic British outerwear company Barbour. Now Miguel Caballero, the Colombian designer known as "The Armani of Armor", has introduced a totally bulletproof version (above), which manages to not sacrifice anything in the way of style. Since many devotees also wear this kind of jacket for upland hunting, it's practical even for those who aren't princes, presidents and out-of-favor oligarchs in fear of their lives, as some of Caballero's best customers certainly are.

Enough anti-ballistics to stop an Uzi or a .44 Magnum - never mind some birdshot - doesn't come cheap of course, but at about $10,000 the jacket is more bang for the buck so to speak than Caballero's $12,000 bulletproof polo shirt. Plus it's waterproof, with an optional stab-proof lining. Caballero's only retail location outside of South and Central America is Harrod's in London, but the company takes special orders directly. They'll even make you one of these in cashmere if you insist (we asked).

Tags: Barbour, Bulletproof, Harrods, Jacket, Miguel Caballero, MiguelCaballero