random rant

[deird1]

I get somewhat annoyed by superhero films not using costumes because they're "being realistic". Because... outlandish costumes ARE realistic.

No, people in our world usually don't wear them. But then, our world is also notoriously short on superheroes.

And think about it! If a building was on fire, and rando-civilian-in-street-clothes started rushing in, the firefighters would hold them back so they wouldn't get injured. Whereas if the person was clearly wearing an outfit that said "I have superpowers, and am not afraid to use them!", they'd be far more likely to let that person past.

In such a situation, the more outlandish (and less like street clothes) the better. It needs to be obvious.

In a world full of superheroes, I'd say yellow spandex is TOTALLY realistic.

Comments

[lirazel]

You make a very good point!

[megpie71]

This is actually part of the point of police uniforms, firefighting uniforms, paramedic uniforms, medical scrubs, military uniforms etc - they're not just practical clothing for the job you're doing, they're also clothing which indicates to other people on the scene which role you're occupying, and whether you're supposed to be in the place you're at. It's part of the reason the earlier eras of military uniforms were so ornate and visible - things like the "redcoat" British uniforms and so on - it was meant to distinguish the soldiers on the battlefield from the civilians attempting to flee the scene.

So yeah, in a world where superheroes are possible, it seems reasonable for "people in brightly-coloured spandex doing improbable things" to become a sort of default "uniform" for superheroic types. I would also posit that in such a world, just as we have laws here in this world to make wearing the uniform of certain professions (police officer, firefighter, paramedic, hospital medical personnel) when you're not a member of that profession at least a felony, if not an outright crime, there would be a similar restriction on wearing superhero outfits in public if you're not a superhero. So - far less tolerance for cosplayers.

[deird1]

Glad you think so!

[deird1]

I would also posit that in such a world, just as we have laws here in this world to make wearing the uniform of certain professions (police officer, firefighter, paramedic, hospital medical personnel) when you're not a member of that profession at least a felony, if not an outright crime, there would be a similar restriction on wearing superhero outfits in public if you're not a superhero. So - far less tolerance for cosplayers.

Indeed!

I think, if I were trying to create a non-dictator-ish law, I'd say that anyone who showed up at the scene of an emergency "in costume" was declaring that they could cope with the situation, and would not be considered as in need of rescue when emergency services were figuring out what to prioritise. (Or something.)