I am probably among the least fashionable people you will ever meet. As long as something doesn’t look ugly to the eye, I really don’t care what it does look like.

Still, even I have to admit… some outfits are just cool. Not only can they display the characters personalities and state of mind in a visible way, but there is a certain strength to be found in a presentable, uniform appearance which becomes a style unto itself. I faintly recall a moment from a TV show where the narrating main character talks about this. It was something to the effect of: it presents a united front, and makes it seem that messing with you is the same as messing with a much larger organization, one that is coordinated, efficient, and has deep pockets. No one wants to challenge an entire army.

Thus, while this is not exactly my forte, I can appreciate why people talk about them. Anime is rather famous for the uniforms, and other outfits, to be found within it. It’s just a question of how to pick them.

About the only restrictions I placed on myself were 1) sticking with military-ish uniforms, as these speak to the purpose of uniforms more strongly, and 2) nothing horrendous to look at, ya know?

So, in no particular order, my five picks for uniforms in anime!

1) Amestris Military Uniforms
Fullmetal Alchemist

Crisp, bright blue uniforms, distinct, severe, and authoritarian, stylish to look at, yet functional as something worn by soldiers, especially soldiers who have everything from the desert sun to the freezing winter to worry about.

2) Shinigami Uniforms
Bleach

A simple, intimidating design, all black, with white sashes, combining fashion and utility for the reapers of souls. And that’s before even adding the white overcoats of the captains, which is also simple, yet has a profound impact.

3) Black Knight Uniforms
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Black again. It’s a very functional, stylish choice if you want to intimidate, and I don’t mind that it shuns the flamboyant colors of more gaudy outfits. There’s some history behind black knights as well, as fallen knights without their former resources had to improvise a way to care for their armor by rubbing coal on it, if I recall correctly, thus blackening it. A black knight, then, was an outsider, even a criminal, which is what the Black Knights of Code Geass are.

4) Navy Marine Uniforms
One Piece

Can you tell that I like the simpler, more utilitarian outfits? A simple white shirt, with or without sleeves, having a collar, an ascot (I think is what those things around the neck are called), and black pants. Simple, functional, useful to wear for men who are engaged in physical labor all day, yet still distinguished, easy to recognize, and it even speaks to the navy’s attitude that things are either black or white, no in-between.

5) Shinsengumi/Police Uniforms
Rurouni Kenshin

It was this or the police uniform, and I couldn’t find pictures of the latter. 🙂 It’s simple, again, yet also distinguished. It’s just a coat, blue, with one embellishment: the white triangle pattern at the edge. And the headbands. This is the uniform of those who protected the order in Japan for centuries, risking and losing their lives on a regular basis.

And that’s it. My five picks! 🙂

Any outfits/uniforms you’d pick?