People in uniforms distinguish themselves from those around them as a member of an organisation, a functionary or representative of a company, institution or organisation. Often, the uniform actually belongs to the employer. Amsterdam was the first Dutch municipality to have a mayoral uniform. In 1849, Amsterdam’s mayor Pieter Huidekoper applied to the ministry of the interior for a uniform for official occasions. The ensemble comprised a gown or coat made of black linen, black trousers with a stripe and a tricorn as headwear. The buttons were decorated with Amsterdam’s emblem and the collar, cuffs and pocket flaps were trimmed with silverthread. It was up to the mayor to order a uniform or not. The uniform shown here was worn Willem de Vlught (served 1921-1941) and Arnold D’Ailly (served 1946-1957). D’Ailly received his predecessor’s uniform when he took office in 1946. He was the last to wear a uniform. He wore it for the last time on 15 October 1956, shortly before his term ended, at a review of members of the Royal Student Shooting Society in Amsterdam.