BEST Uniforms in drum corps history

[DrumManTx]

I think someone accomplished exactly what they set out to do.

[Cappybara]

Phasing like crazy especially that left file. The funeral colors don't hide that.

Sure, but you can't blame that on the uniforms. The Cadets needed to do a better job staying in step at that particular moment. I could Photoshop the picture so that the pants are creme and the phasing would still be there :)

[Fran Haring]

I see what you mean about it being the Cadets and the departure, but to me they look like a uniform you can simply buy out of a catalog.

I love the traditional Cadets uniform, and all the times in recent decades they have changed colors, I just didn't think the uniform worked in black.

I can see that point, too.

Then again... there have been various catalogs with all sorts of cool stuff in them through the years. LOL

Edited May 18, 2016 by Fran Haring

[Fran Haring]

If only everyone was the exact height and weight.

The Soviet Union tried that, and it didn't work.

[emc2]

I think someone accomplished exactly what they set out to do.

BAC

[IllianaLancerContra]

I think you have several categories.

Timeless Classics that have been, and continue to be, treasured and top-of-the line.

1. The Cadets West Point look is tops, even though they don't wear it every year anymore (at least the Maroon and Gold version). It's still one of the treasured and historic looks of DCI and all of the marching arts.
2. The Cavaliers - a timeless beauty and exudes confidence, pageantry, and color.
3. Madison Scouts (specifically the look from the 80s and 90s). Their present uni is sort of a recreation of that era -- very sharp.
4. Troopers (specifically their 70s and 80s look)

Corps that Modify Their Traditional Look

1. Santa Clara Vanguard - SCV is another corps that works around their traditional look. To me, their classic uni is the 1982/83 uniform. However, the modifications they made in 1985 to feature both green and white pants was AMAZING. They have always modified their look for their shows. Think their Russian shows of 1986 and 87, their Phantom of the Opera shows in 88 and 89, their dark 1999 show, Scheherazade in 2004, Appalachian Spring in 2009, and on and on. They have done the best job of retaining a classic look while adding small to large changes.
2. Blue Devils - a number of corps are changing their look by the year, and BD is one of the best as well. Their ability to find that perfect fit for their shows has been masterful. Their uniform from the 70s and 80s was, no doubt, a classic; but in the last few decades they have used many combinations. Their 1988 Black and Grey look was a one-year classic and so COOL. The pink added for the Tommy show in 1990 was awesome, and 2008 to now has been masterful.
3. Bluecoats - BLOOO may not have the long-time tradition of a classic look to fall back on given the corps' history from Police Boys club corps to now, but what they have done from 1990 to now is amazing. Their 1995 uniform was perhaps their best look from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Then came the makeover around 2007 and I felt they began to hit another level. Their present adaption of that uniform is the best ever, and I dare say one of the absolute best looks in all of DCI today.
4. Phantom Regiment has a bit longer history than does BLOOO, and they also have played around with the look of their uniforms over the years. Sadly, just my opinion, they have been hit and miss with many adaptions of their all-white classic. Oddly they were a bigger hit when they went all-black in 1996. To me I prefer that 1987 - 1989 uniform. Some years it's pretty sweet, and some years I don't care for them.

Chameleon Corps - Those that Change Up Uniforms Often

1. Carolina Crown - They seemingly change their look every year. It's not just a modification but a real change. My fav was their purple look for the 2013 show, but seeing them in teal colored pants was kind of cool in 2014.
2. Star of Indiana - they started with a basic look, much like Crown did, but quickly moved to different designs by the year. Their classic hot-pink from the Disney show was cool, then the more refined dark red for their British Show, and then came their 90s looks. 1993 was a classic and ahead of its time.
3. Although the Sky Ryders didn't change uniforms and look every year, one must give them props for their West Side Story look in 1987.

My Favorite Uniform and Total Look from any ONE given Year:

1985 Santa Clara Vanguard - Goosebumps, color, pageantry; they just exuded visual command and stateliness.

I understand your reasoning, but I would add Belleville to category 1, & Bayonne 1976 to about 83 to category 2.

[Screamer]

I think someone accomplished exactly what they set out to do.

Being the most disliked person on dcp? Realized that awhile ago.

[Screamer]

I see what you mean about it being the Cadets and the departure, but to me they look like a uniform you can simply buy out of a catalog.

I love the traditional Cadets uniform, and all the times in recent decades they have changed colors, I just didn't think the uniform worked in black.

A change of color makes a uniform look like it's out of a catalog? It literally was a change of color.

[Screamer]

You realize that everyone being the same height and weight would not help timing, right?

I get it that you worship the ground that the Cadets walk on, and that if anyone has a negative opinion of anything related to the Cadets, then they are committing blasphemy, but if you're going to make an argument on something such as phasing, at least come up with something more intelligent.

Do you have concrete proof that both sides of the form were supposed to move together?

There are other corps with uniforms that were pulled out of catalogs and modified. Look at the old BK uniform then look at the Raiders,awfully similar.

[xandandl]

Being the most disliked person on dcp? Realized that awhile ago.

Don't take TES personally. That poster is somewhat like Lucy Van Pelt in Peanuts; she dislikes everyone equally, some more than others.

Phasing refers to the timing and imprecision when multiple persons attempt the same movement simultaneously. So in the case in question, it's not just a comparison of whether the left file has their legs in unison with the right fiile but more so whether the position of the leg of the first person of the file, the second person of the file, etc. is the same as they attempt simultaneously the same action.

Of course there is a difficulty in achieving this precision when a 6'7" person marches next to someone 4'2". The judge references the common juncture that develop the movement (hips, legs, as well as feet.) The ability to achieve the precision is what sets a champion apart from others. In this the 2015 Cadets were lacking.

Edited May 18, 2016 by xandandl