| Everywhere we look, we see the businesses such | | | | like a pizza parlor or someplace that catered |
| as restaurants, bars, resorts and casinos, that | | | | especially to young kids. |
| theme their uniform style to match their business' | | | | Cosplays - "Cosplay" is a word which is a |
| atmosphere. That's all well and good, but | | | | portmanteau (a word that combines two other |
| sometimes you might think that the uniform | | | | words) of "costume" and "play". This is a |
| styles out there are a little homogenized. Of | | | | Japanese subculture based on dressing up as |
| course, it's understandable that you want to keep | | | | characters from manga (Asian comics) and anime |
| to a professional image at all times. But you might | | | | (Asian cartoons). Even less commonly, such |
| also be feeling more creative, like you want to | | | | subjects as Japanese live action television shows, |
| break out of the mold and re-invent the | | | | fantasy movies, or Japanese pop music bands are |
| restaurant uniform concept. | | | | also fair game. |
| Example: If you've seen the movie "Pulp Fiction", | | | | The word has become popularly associated with |
| there's a restaurant that Vincent and Mia go to | | | | dressing restaurant employees as French maids. |
| early in the film which looks like a fun place to go. | | | | This idea may sound goofy to you, but it's |
| It's modeled after the 1950's "rockabilly" era, and | | | | currently all the rage in China and Japan, as |
| if you watch this scene carefully, you'll see some | | | | reported on culture-tracking sites like boingboing. |
| incredible uniform "casting" in this fictional | | | | Take a look in a search engine at some of the |
| restaurant. Would you have thought of having | | | | creative themes they've come up with to get |
| Buddy Holly and Marilyn Monroe look-a-likes as | | | | some ideas. Oddly enough, these are not aimed at |
| waiters and waitresses? Or how about the midget | | | | children but adults, in a culture where comics and |
| in the red bellhop uniform who seats the couple? | | | | cartoons are not seen as juvenile at all. This would |
| Hint: he's modeled on an old Phillip Morris | | | | be a big hit in a modern, up-to-the-minute |
| commercial, as you can hear him shouting his line | | | | environment such as a college town or a place |
| as he leaves the scene: "Call for Phillip Morris!" | | | | with a lot of technology culture such as Silicon |
| Now, that is creative theming! | | | | Valley, since its popularity is largely being spread |
| For those who want to make an impression far | | | | by the Internet. |
| deeper than the average fashion statement, let's | | | | Science Fiction - If you've been to Las Vegas, |
| try thinking experimentally. Here's a list of ideas | | | | one casino has a Star Trek theme ride and a |
| that many will find bold, edgy, or even too daring. | | | | restaurant attached to it called "Quark's Bar and |
| But they are very original. We're not | | | | Restaurant". Sure enough, the whole place makes |
| recommending them too heavily, or you can take | | | | you feel just like you're living in the Star Trek |
| them and modify them; perhaps one of these will | | | | universe, right down to the staff uniforms! |
| be inspirational! | | | | Gimmicky it may be, but a whole generation of |
| So, some very off-the-wall ideas for a hospitality | | | | Star Trek fans have grown up and even passed |
| business uniform theme: | | | | the culture on to their kids - this place makes a |
| Gothic - Whether you like the style or not, the | | | | lot of money. |
| youth Goth movement is here to stay. It's | | | | If you take a look at Star Trek uniforms, they |
| actually a hand-me-down from the punk rock era, | | | | are actually very serviceable. Now apply this idea |
| but in a style of Victorian era moodiness. Think | | | | to other fantasy and science fiction franchises |
| lots of black, very edgy, and search the web to | | | | with a huge following: Star Wars, Harry Potter, |
| get an idea. The fact is, young people tend to go | | | | Lord of the Rings, or anything with its own 'cult' |
| where they'll feel like they are understood and | | | | following. Or just go with something futuristic, |
| welcome. If that's the kind of target market you | | | | without nailing it down to any one particular work |
| have in mind, dressing the staff a little Gothic | | | | of fiction. This could work well in places like an |
| themselves will help tie your brand identity to the | | | | espresso bar with Internet access, because |
| culture which these people currently live in. | | | | computer buffs and science fiction fans tend to |
| Remember, they will be middle-aged grown-ups | | | | go well together. |
| with a career and a house in the suburbs some | | | | Period Costumes - These are more in the range |
| day, and by then you'll have some serious | | | | of "it's been done before". Pirates, cowboys, |
| customer loyalty! | | | | gypsies, ancient Egyptians, and so on. Surely |
| Superheroes - OK, you cringed a little at first. But | | | | you've stumbled upon a seafood restaurant with |
| I'll bet a minute later, you saw what I'm getting at: | | | | a pirate theme or a Western bar and grill in |
| now, what would you expect of a staff member | | | | Texas with the staff dressed like they were living |
| who was a superhero? You'd expect excellent | | | | in the days of the wild frontier. Still, it's an idea to |
| service, courteous behavior, perfect honor and | | | | keep in mind - period costumes can add a fun |
| trust... hey! We have such super employees, | | | | theme to your atmosphere, but also be not too |
| they're like superheroes already! This isn't as hard | | | | over-the-top so you can still keep a serious |
| to do as you might think - take your standard | | | | attitude. |
| uniform and add a short cape and a "utility belt" | | | | That's all - maybe you can come up with different |
| or a medallion or some other gimmick and you're | | | | ideas of your own starting with these inspirations! |
| there. Would work well for a family-themed place | | | | |