ME: This article is in reference to a number of things, ranging from ForFutureReference's Somebody's Problem to T.J.98's Cries of the Fallen and, last but not least, the new movie The Force Awakens.
As a Captain in the Peacekeeping Army and member of the Capitol Garrison, I'm well aware of the fact that the citizens of the Capitol like this city-and everything in it-being pretty and shiny.
I'm a Capitol citizen myself, so I understand. I'm from Midtown, so while my family doesn't indulge that much compared to the socialites who get to see Tribute parades up close we are comfortable compared to those in District Town and aren't above enjoying ourselves.
However, even I have to admit that sometimes things cross the line from flashy to outright tasteless and/or impractical.
Case in point; the silver armor Peacekeepers assigned to protect the Capitol wear.
Okay, I'll admit that white isn't exactly very inconspicuous. But it isn't gaudy, since the Dark Days Panem hasn't been at war, and at least you can be decently camouflaged in an arctic environment.
Silver, though?
It's about as subtle as a brick aimed at your face.
Personally, I'm just grateful that only the vest and helmet are silver and that my uniform is the standard white-and-black outfit worn by all Peacekeepers.
The Mansion Regiment of the Praetorian Guard is even worse, though. While they wear silver armor like us, similar to the rest of the Praetorians they have a gold National Eagle on their vests instead of the black variant used by the Peacekeeping Force.
The ironic thing is that His Panemanian Excellency, President Coriolanus Snow, is downright subdued compared to most Capitolites. Maybe he only does it because this city likes flashy things that much.
In the end, dressing up in chrome armor is something I have learned to deal with.
ME: A/N: This is probably my shortest fanfic ever. Of all time.
T.J.98 has the Peacekeepers assigned to the Capitol (or the Capitol Guard, as he calls them) wear gold armor. He points out that the Capitol is described as a "city of gold" and that they never really valued practicality over aesthetics.
ForFutureReference, having noticed that the hovercraft of the Peacekeepers have a silver paintjob in the books, has the Head Peacekeepers wear armor with a chrome/silver finish in the field. Needless to say, as pointed out by one of his OCs in-universe (the brilliantly written Edwen "Ned" Bannon), this just makes them sniper bait. Similarly, Captain Phasma of the new Star Wars movie The Force Awakens wears silver armor as well as a black cape with red trim...granted, her armor's likely higher quality even if she somehow stands out even more.
The Mansion Regiment is a reference to the Kremlin Regiment.