User blog comment:Xilinoc/Ch. 545 - Blue Stripes/@comment-10554972-20130710032106/@comment-11051098-20130711011014

I don't know. But Yamamoto scolded Kenpachi, Byakuya and Shunsui for losing theirs during the battle against Aizen and the Espada. It's obvious the haori is a symbol of the Gotei 13 or something like that, so important that at least Yamamoto was furious when 3 captains lost theirs and didn't care at all.

Lol, I love that part when Yamamoto ticks and explodes when they call the haori "dead weight", "cheap clothing" and "a fashion statement".