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