Years ago the sheriff decided to change jailer uniforms. Caps were banned. Shirts and pants purchased from a single vendor(his)were the rule. Any dummy could see these items were factory seconds. Pants had short strides and also were designed to fit low on the waist. They would have fit Peter Pan but nobody else. Everybody complained. Women reported extreme camel toe issues. Morale was damaged. When a fat girlfriend of a high official was hired, then these uniforms went away.
Being issued uniforms having comfort and durability and satisfying department policy would be a good compromise. If policy permits officers to use their money to purchase similar pants and shirts considered more desirable than department issue, then they can resolve comfort and durability issues. If officers object to spending their own coin, then perhaps they want to eat their cake and have it too.
Do cops worry more about looking cool their do fireman? Law enforcement agencies have and will require more regimentation than than other employers. Does one fret that he can't have a sleeve or facsimiles of jailhouse tattoos visible to all? Does he complain that he can't have a full beard worn by metrosexuals in tactical ads? I'm reminded of a friend who earned a commission in the Marine Corps but refused to be sworn in and resigned. He went to their officer's school only to see if he was man enough to pass. His objection? Short haircuts were not cool. This is a true story. However, I poke fun to some extent about concern for cool appearance, yet I am observing this attitude more and more.
Also, I have observed that over the years people are objecting more and more when directed to follow procedure. My mama would tell us not to be titty babies when we complained. Once I shared a classroom with a young teacher who complained that her boyfriend had a short dick. That comment made me think that she measured it. I asked how long was it, and she held up two fingers from each hand to indicate distance as if she was describing a fish.