For some strange reason, one of my overall fascinations about the so called “Big Apple” of New York City has always been taxis. No, I am not saying that the bright yellow color and black streaks absorb me in some weird type of fascination, but rather, in my mind, a night on the town has always seemed incomplete without this shiny yellow car.

Though with most of my experiences consisting of average dressed cabbies, I have never once thought of what they were wearing, in fact never even recognized it. And although the little small screen may prevent us from silently judging their clothes, I see it as quite a bit odd as most of Manhattan seems to be dominated by walking models from the latest Cosmo or Vogue magazines.

Though it seems like I may be one of a few carrying this opinion.

Since the establishment of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission in 1971, a city issued manual has held strong to the idea that tube shirts, tank tops, and bathing trunks constitute inappropriate dress, worth a fine of 25 dollars.

Though with taxi drivers seemingly disregarding this rule as nothing more than an unnecessary referendum, New York City’s taxi regulators have issued a revision of the current dress code.

“Present a professional appearance” are deemed the first words of this fortunately un-lengthy modification. Rather than simply recognizing a revised dress code of “clean and professional,” this new regulation is also aimed at reinforcing the basic regulations regarding the standard behavior of New York City taxi drivers (ie. courtesy, manners).

“Proper dress is not something that we can enforce very easily,” said the chairman of New York City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission, David S. Yassky. “Nonetheless, we want to communicate to drivers that there is a standard of behavior, and that’s what the rule should get across.”

As a result there has been a mix of digression and positivity from taxi drivers towards this new regulation. While some classier dressed cabbies claim this to be a “positive step for the industry,” others state that their 12 hour work day requires them to be dressed in something a little less classy and a lot more comfortable.

Even so, city regulators have held strong in properly regulating the attire of New York City cabbies. The revision, defended by Mr. Yassky, is expected to gain approval at a public court hearing next month.