Dec 01 2008
Uniforms as Costumes
There is a lot to say about uniforms as costumes–most importantly, one has to be careful about how she or he wears them, and in what company the costumes are worn. Let’s examine a few potential uniform-as-costume situations and evaluate appropriateness.
1. Getting kinky with it. Uniforms in the bedroom? Totally appropriate, if it turns you and your partner on and you are both of age. Girl Scout or Catholic School Girl uniforms at an all adult costume party? No problem. However, you wouldn’t want to show up to an all ages event in such a thing. That’s the main difference between looking hot and making Slutoween an all year event.
2. The uniform worn for a legitimate purpose. Wearing a Star Trek uniform to a Star Trek movie premiere or convention might be nerdy, but it’s totally appropriate for the event. Do keep in mind that police officers and military personnel generally must be on duty if they are clothed in their uniforms.
3. Historical uniforms. Historical uniforms can be cool, but should always be worn with caution and with audience in consideration. While it might be okay to wear Irish republican propaganda in Boston, it wouldn’t be very wise to do so in Belfast–in fact, it would be offensive, and you will probably get shot or at least beat up. Nazi uniforms are another prime example of an item that might be ‘neat’ as having historical value, but that really shouldn’t be worn in public due to the horrific acts committed by people wearing said uniforms. Remember that episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia? Nazi uniforms are best left in a box, or better yet, in a box covered in gasoline and lit on fire.
Yes, this is me, telling you how I really feel: uniform costumes should be worn at appropriate times and places.
-The Costumer
