At what point does clothing become a "costume"?

[Bluegrrl]

Actual thoughtful question here: when is a clothing a costume?

With all the "no-costume" stuff going on, I'm actually curious about when Disney will call clothing a costume? Obviously, there are costumes - someone in a screen accurate Belle costume, or dressed like Tink with actual wings. Those are costumes. However...

I went to Disneyland this year and there was a steampunk fan group meet-up one day. Are they costumes, or just geared up folks? Cause they really looked like they were in a costume. There were also lots of Dapper day looking folks - not a real Dapper Day meet-up, just folks dressed in what I would call "vintage light". Are they costumed? Or just dressed in 1940s type clothes? There were lots of kids in Anime-inspired clothes, or in full-on Anime clothes. Costumes? or just lifestyle choice?

At what point does the guy in a brown suit become Dr. Who? Is it when he puts on the fez and carries sonic screwdriver? or just wears the suit? And there were some Disneybounders who really took it to a new level there, like a girl I saw who looked like she was wearing an Elsa kids costume.

It sounds like this will be an on going problem for Disney and slightly difficult to enforce. There will always be the cut and dried costume calls (and I'm not really talking about those). It's just those "fine-line" ones. When exactly is clothing a costume?

 

[HopperFan]

EXACTLY what I am saying. Disney HAS to sit down and come up with a clear definition of costume to them, put it in writing, publish it and be prepared to defend it at the gate. It can't be a rule of the day, they must be consistent. These boards alone show that everyone has a different opinion on what costume means to them.

100% fine with no costumes on 14 and older (except at MNSSHP because it's part of the holiday) on normal day BUT Disney has to define "what is a costume." And you gave great examples. I've seen Dappers that could have been part of DHS street entertainment. How do you handle that? Fine line between style choices and what appears to be costumes in a location that all employees are costumed.

This is what I posted on another thread regarding same issue:

---------------------------

THIS is exactly why Disney is going to need to have a serious discussion among themselves to determine "what is a costume?" and make it very clear in writing to avoid issues at the gate.

What you describe as what you are wearing, absolutely in my mind is a costume. We wear shorts and tshirts that have been painted and decorated, so I consider it a costume.

To me - if you, an adult, would not wear it in everyday life (USA since that is where WDW is located) aka work, school, shopping, church, out to dinner and even just hanging around the house ............. then it's a costume. If it's a prom dress, it's a costume. Most photos that people have posted saying they don't consider it a costume, I would.

So now that the general public does not have a uniform view of costume, Disney will have to be very clear as to what they view as a costume.

Perfect example below. Poster feels this is just a style choice. Maybe in another location, but here in the USA that to me is clearly costumes/cosplay. Cosplay = costumes. WAY more costume than my outfit. If costumes are banned on adults, these should be banned.

 

[tzolkin]

I would think for this purpose, a costume would be dressing as a Disney character (taking it to a more "realistic" level than Disneybounding) or wearing a mask.

One would be to avoid confusion with characters in the parks.
The other for some of the safety concerns presented in the security thread.

I don't know that this is what they really mean by costume, but it would make the most sense to me.

Other clothing is difficult to determine because people have such varied ways of dressing. Someone might wear a "Doctor Who" style suit or 1950s style dresses on a daily basis as a regular part of their style, so I don't see how Disney could enforce that (or why it would be an issue)

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think we all know the line where an outfit turns into a costume. I agree about asking oneself, would I wear this in everyday life?

In the end though, there is no way to write down rules like this. It's too subjective. It will always end up being a judgment call.

 

[kamik86]

I agree. You know how around halloween many places used to do something like wear a costume and get a discount. You don't see that much anymore because of the judgement issue of figuring out if someone is in costume.

Now some things are easy. Like no masks. But what about face paint? Disney sells face painting... will they no longer allow adults to get it done?

 

[larryz]

I think we all know the line where an outfit turns into a costume. I agree about asking oneself, would I wear this in everyday life?

In the end though, there is no way to write down rules like this. It's too subjective. It will always end up being a judgment call.

Costumes?

Or period dress...?

 

[wilkeliza]

I think we all know the line where an outfit turns into a costume. I agree about asking oneself, would I wear this in everyday life?

In the end though, there is no way to write down rules like this. It's too subjective. It will always end up being a judgment call.

The thing is that Rusty used a photo of a group in elaborate clothes as an example of what he thought is a costume. It isn't a costume in your definition though because that is what those girls wear every day of their lives. Some also dress in steampunk or "dapper days" attire every day as well. That is why Disney needs to have the flat out what is a costume discussion.

I think a costume is anything that would be close to something in the parks. So CM costumes and character costumes. Steam punk, dapper days, and harijuku are all things that some people wear everyday and are not a costume to me.

 

[GreatLakes]

I'm sure there will be a more definite policy that comes out but in reality they don't need to "defend" the policy at the gate. They are a private company that can decide on Monday that something isn't a costume and change their mind on Tuesday about the same exact outfit. Outside of some religious dress they can make up and enforce the rules on the fly if they want.

If I know it when I see it is good enough for a Supreme Court ruling it is good enough for Disney Policy. I have as much desire to wear a costume, or anything that could be construed as a costume, into the parks as I do to set myself on fire so I really don't care if they decide to use the widest possible definition for a costume.

 

[RedStars]

I don't wear sequin Minnie ears in every day life but I do in the parks. Does that make it a costume? Lol

 

[JaxDad]

Disney could sell a mandatory uniform to be worn in the park, maybe futuristic themed unisex coveralls. Any deviation will be unacceptable for entry!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Costumes?

Or period dress...?

My opinion? Not costumes.

 

[ArwenMarie]

The thing is that Rusty used a photo of a group in elaborate clothes as an example of what he thought is a costume. It isn't a costume in your definition though because that is what those girls wear every day of their lives. Some also dress in steampunk or "dapper days" attire every day as well. That is why Disney needs to have the flat out what is a costume discussion.

I think a costume is anything that would be close to something in the parks. So CM costumes and character costumes. Steam punk, dapper days, and harijuku are all things that some people wear everyday and are not a costume to me.

Yeah, those wouldn't be costumes IMO.

I agree though, I think the line for the parks will be could you be confused with a costumed CM.

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

It's subjective, and therein lies the issue. What one considers everyday wear, other might not.

 

[larryz]

Disney could sell a mandatory uniform to be worn in the park, maybe futuristic themed unisex coveralls. Any deviation will be unacceptable for entry!

Fireproof, adjustable, plenty of pockets, double zipper to make bio breaks easier...

What more could one ask for?

 

[ArwenMarie]

I'm sure there will be a more definite policy that comes out but in reality they don't need to "defend" the policy at the gate. They are a private company that can decide on Monday that something isn't a costume and change their mind on Tuesday about the same exact outfit. Outside of some religious dress they can make up and enforce the rules on the fly if they want.

If I know it when I see it is good enough for a Supreme Court ruling it is good enough for Disney Policy. I have as much desire to wear a costume, or anything that could be construed as a costume, into the parks as I do to set myself on fire so I really don't care if they decide to use the widest possible definition for a costume.

That's what they are going to end up doing, it will be a judgement call in the end, no matter how they choose to write up the rules.

I know at my kids' school (private), they have a few guidelines regarding casual dress days, but it also says, at the discretion of the principal. So she makes the final call. There is no other way to do it really.

 

[GreatLakes]

That's what they are going to end up doing, it will be a judgement call in the end, no matter how they choose to write up the rules.

I know at my kids' school (private), they have a few guidelines regarding casual dress days, but it also says, at the discretion of the principal. So she makes the final call. There is no other way to do it really.

Yep, and that is all they really need to do. Make sure whatever policy they put out has "further exclusions at the discretion of the gate CM" and be done with it.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm sure there will be a more definite policy that comes out but in reality they don't need to "defend" the policy at the gate. They are a private company that can decide on Monday that something isn't a costume and change their mind on Tuesday about the same exact outfit. Outside of some religious dress they can make up and enforce the rules on the fly if they want.

If I know it when I see it is good enough for a Supreme Court ruling it is good enough for Disney Policy. I have as much desire to wear a costume, or anything that could be construed as a costume, into the parks as I do to set myself on fire so I really don't care if they decide to use the widest possible definition for a costume.

Disney shouldn't NEED to defend their policy at the gate. But they do in fact need to.

I'm sure it's against policy to cut in line but people do it all the time because CMs try to avoid confrontations. I'm sure there's a policy against kids relieving themselves in the bushes but they do. Let's face it. Disney is not very good at having their employees enforce the letter of their policies. I had a hunch all along the new policy was about it being easier to tell everyone no costumes at all than it would be to tell individuals that their particular costume didn't pass.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Disney could sell a mandatory uniform to be worn in the park, maybe futuristic themed unisex coveralls. Any deviation will be unacceptable for entry!

Except a futuristic theme wouldn't fit in with Frontierland. Could they make it reversible and have one side be futuristic for Tomorrowland and the other side be cowboy-themed?

 

[larryz]

Except a futuristic theme wouldn't fit in with Frontierland. Could they make it reversible and have one side be futuristic for Tomorrowland and the other side be cowboy-themed?

That would be too much like a costume, wouldn't it?

 

[Maggie'sMom]

That would be too much like a costume, wouldn't it?

So are you saying it's okay to discriminate against cowboys who might want to tour the parks wearing their everyday work clothes?