Costumes Vs Uniforms

[Andy]

Durring the gathering we had a jedi knighting ceremony. I thought it went very well and had a good message attached to it. Earlier during that same gathering we also had a light saber demo with the campers at the beach near the camp. The interplay of these two events and the role of how we dress were brought to the forefront for me.

For the light saber demo, everyone "jedied up" and got into those hot robes to go to the beach and fill them with sand. It was a great bit of PR for our path, and the kids enjoyed it greatly. I did not dress up for the event, for reasons i will outline shortly, but I did stand out a bit and truth be told, felt sort of like a fuddy duddy for not dressing out.

For the knighting ceremony i did dress out but not in the robes and tabbard that is the hallmark for the movie jedi. I wore my old ratty jedi cloak from years back and my search and rescue uniform under it. I serve my community, and I feel that service, coupled with my other activities are what makes me a jedi realist.

When i was asked by people why i did not dress for beach I told them that I am not a jedi to entertain and that i did not want to associate my uniform with play. Of course I sounded like a stiff neck elitist becasue the whole trip was in good fun and is not bringing joy to people a form of service? At the same time, i also received complements on how the official uniform added a sense of seriousness and a layer of legitimacy to the ceremony that would have been absent if it were done by a guy in a costume with a toy.

I came to the conclusion that I can still have my fun and my seriousness. I have decided to get myself a costume and also have my uniform. I cannot in my mind justify them both being the same thing. I am not opposed to entertaining children with something as cool as jedi, but I am a serious jedi and do not want to portray myself as an entertainer but a servant of the community.

This is how I am going to balance these two aspects, how about you?

[Jedi Phoenix]

Interesting proposal Andy. I was thinking about the uniform as well...I was one of the Jedi who really enjoyed the ceremony and felt that having a real sword used during the knighting ceremony brought an extra feel of gravity to the event as well as a sense of tradition.

(On a side note, now it makes sense why you wore what you did). I felt a little out of place too with out a uniform, but in a sense I have to piggy back off of what someone else said. When we portray the Jedi in the "costumes" its what draws people in, and we can then really show them what we study. I don't think its hoodwinking as much as PR like you said.

For me, I would like to wear a uniform. I am studying to be a Jedi, and I feel if I wear them at appropriate times, that the uniform can actually be very important to the process (such as a Knighting ceremony).

And my other thought is on the portrayal part: servant vs entertainer. A part of me says why can't we be both? Another says everyone walks the Jedi path differently, so if we are choosing to be entertainers (maybe recruiters might be a a littler more appropriate here) and/or servants, or what have you; then that should be OK too.

I really don't have much more than that at this point, because between the gathering and your other post at the IJRS, I'm mulling over what really is a Jedi Realist (to me).

Thanks,
Phoenix

[Kitsu Tails]

I have ALWAYS agreed in dress up. I think people should dress up more often and learn that, dress up...is exactly that....dress up. When we were kids we used to 'dress up' in our halloween costumes weather it was hallow's eve or not. Why? because it was fun. And what is wrong with having fun? Those kids on the beach that we shared camping space with certainly didn't mind. As I re-call, when shawn (Yoda) Came running across the sands to attack the Jedi, he had all 150 kids aging from younglings to teen years running right along with him, all shouting with excitement and joy. The Jedi were here! Not only did we have fun, but we also inspired a few of the older kids to come, ask questions, and one even came and sat in on one of our class's, his heart bent on learning more about us. The Jedi.

Likewise waring a Uniform has it's own, equal, importance. It shows honor, respect, discipline, and most of all Unity. It is a symbol to outsiders that we are all of the same order of practice. And it is a symbol to each other that we respect our fellow Jedi. A uniform during a ceremony, In my opinion, should be mandatory.

I was very upset that I didn't have a proper uniform, or costume for this years gathering. And wish I would of known more about what was to come so that i could of prepared for these events.

Next year I plan on having a plain, everyday ware Jedi robe for special events like having fun with the children. As well as having a Uniform for ceremonies of importance.

I would also like to point out however that, I, personally, believe that ceremonial robes should be of matching color and design. We should dress as an order of Jedi. Not a mixed selection of bounty hunters, padme's, karate uniforms, and so forth and so on. But then...that's just me...

[Kol Drake]

But, even within the order all did not wear the 'exact' same outfit.

Variations existed on screen... from Yoda/WIndu/Obi Won/Qui Gon's series (remember, they all trained under yoda... so they tended to dress similarly) to those who studied under different Masters -- like Shaak Ti or Aayla Secura.

Perhaps a 'robe' is essential but after that, what is required 'for fun' and for ceremony might be different... though I prefer a bit of variety and individuality... even so far as Andy and his 'work costume' with a cloak... since that *is* his identity of how he sees himself as a Jedi.

[Kitsu Tails]

Naturally :) and during times when we are representing ourselves in 'Dress Up' I say ware whatever the heck you like ^_^ I know I will. Something along the colors of Reds and White me thinks...Like a Shrine Maiden of sorts....that be cool!

However

When in ceremony I believe that it should all be the same. When you go to work you and the other employee's ware what the job requires of you, not what you feel like. When in ceremony we are representing a community, not individuality. :)

So

Fun = Individuality & Ceremony = Unity :)

In my opinion naturally

[Andy]

I really don't have much more than that at this point, because between the gathering and your other post at the IJRS, I'm mulling over what really is a Jedi Realist (to me).


That's why we gather!

There is similarity and then there is sameness. I do not like "Sameness" To me i would like to see each jedi with a uniform befitting their service under that robe. Martial Artists in a martial uniform, Soldiers in theirs, firefighters, police officers, what be it, all under the big brown cloak of the jedi.

[jdmcowan]

So should I be wearing my surgical scrubs under my robes? ;-)

I enjoy wearing my Jedi outfit. I am so glad I had it for the knighting ceremony. It is professional looking, but also unique. I hope I never see anyone else with the exact same outfit. I also don't ever want to exclude someone from an "official" event because they don't have the right uniform (or even have them feel out of place because everyone else is dressed exactly the same as eachother). I like the fact that the Jedi are individual and don't all look the same.

Jeremy

[RyuJin]

i actually have 2 sets of robes, one i call combat robes because they aren't as billowy as a traditional robe, they fit closely and are designed to allow complete freedom of movement and have a small hood. the other is a more traditional styled robe, long and billowy with a big hood. i made both sets myself.

most jedi wore robes that were either reminiscent of their master or their homeworld. in later times many jedi wore military uniforms or flight suits..

the man/woman makes the clothes, the clothes don't make the man/woman. i do agree though that at official ceremonies some sort of uniform should be worn, but it(the uniform) should be something that shows the individuals respect

as to color...well i wear black robes, and i've been considering making a set of red ones, as well as a silver set....then i'll just mix and match the pieces however i feel

[Jestor]

I think we all agree, to a certain respect, about uniforms and I think that the robes are a common theme (of course).

A certain amount of uniformity is required, but a slight difference isn't all the odd. Each person should represent their chapter or charter and be dressed in the "ceremonial garb" that they would use. As for everyday wear, I no longer run around in just a tee-shirt and jeans. I try to look somewhat decent, (to me that means button up shirts), as much as possible. I am slowly changing my wardrobe to reflect this.

And on a speperate note.... I am so jealous that I couldn't make it this year, but I am already making plans toward the 2011 Gathering.