Batman's costume - Practical or not?

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dell
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Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by dell »

First of all, I love the look of the 1966 Batman costume. However, from a practical standpoint is it a good costume for a crimefighter? Specifically, is the cowl a good idea? I have never worn one, or even seen one up close, but it seems to me that it has to limit your peripheral vision. This is not a good thing when every week you are engaged in a fist fight or two with a bunch of people.

So if Batman were real, would this be a good costume?
dell
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Darren Nemeth
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Re: Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by Darren Nemeth »

I can see pretty good through my cowl but it will get sweaty in there during the day.

The rest seems okay. The tights breath and the utility belt doe not get in the way.
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HappyDude
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Re: Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by HappyDude »

But what about calls of nature? Especially after five pints of buttermilk...
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Riddlersgurl
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Re: Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by Riddlersgurl »

No kidding!
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Yellow Oval
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Re: Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by Yellow Oval »

I always wondered how easy it would be to drive the Batmobile in that cowl seeing as the car had no rearview mirrors? I also wondered why that utility belt wasn't called the 'magic belt' instead as Batman was able to pull out everything but the kitchen sink! I'm also still trying to figure out where Batman would always put that Bat-Shield when he was done with it.
"Hmmm... I don't like the twist this joke is taking. Let us away! Let us away!"
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njboywonder
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Re: Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by njboywonder »

I enjoy the psychology of the costumes. But addressing their utility in the real world is like discussing if squares are...circles.

The cowl impedes vision and hearing and would be uncomfortable and cause overheating in a working environment. The cape is impractical and dangerous in many ways--slows movement, can get caught on things, provides a handle for opponents to grab, etc. The boots provide no added traction and the gauntlets can impede grip, and the suit itself offers no protection.

The whole costume calls unnecessary and potentially dangerous attention, etc. Plus in reality, as an actual tool (and not an homage to a character), it would strike derision--not fear--in not just villains but the general public.

Brett
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clavierankh
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Re: Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by clavierankh »

While I prefer the sixties suit the point about it offering no protection is what makes the movies Kevlar suit make sense.
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Riddlersgurl
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Re: Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by Riddlersgurl »

As Edna Mode said "NO CAPES!!!!"

They are a wardrobe malfuntion waiting to happen!

It says so on the Evil Overlord's List, and if you can't trust that, what can you trust?

Just don't let the bad guys ever get a hold of it; they'd be unstoppable.

If Batman's costume isn't practical, what about those of the villains?

Or should that be a separate thread?
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dell
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Re: Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by dell »

Riddlersgurl wrote:
If Batman's costume isn't practical, what about those of the villains?
In my opinion. none of the villian's costumes is as elaborate as Batman's. The one exception is Mr. Freeze, but his serves a function that is needed.

Most of the men either wore tights, like the Riddler, or wore fancy dress clothes like the Penguin, Joker and the Mad Hatter. Although not very practical for fighting, a three piece suit would be easier to fight in than than Batman's costume.

The women didn't fight, so their costumes are less relevant to this discussion. Catwoman's costume is often mentioned as having impractical aspects, but let's face it, she can be incredibly distracting. I give her a costume two thumbs up.
dell
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hobbybuilder01
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Re: Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by hobbybuilder01 »

Find the gloves the most impedement try using your touchphone
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Roundedwayne
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Re: Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by Roundedwayne »

Guess the only practical use for the cowl is to hide identity and look cool 8) !
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Riddlersgurl
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Re: Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by Riddlersgurl »

God forbid if you're allergic to the fiber content!
WayneGrayson
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Re: Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by WayneGrayson »

HappyDude wrote:But what about calls of nature? Especially after five pints of buttermilk...
CATheterization - or maybe he calls on all his inner resources to resist the urge, much like he did with Marsha's love dart.
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Re: Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by WayneGrayson »

dell wrote:
Riddlersgurl wrote:
If Batman's costume isn't practical, what about those of the villains?
I give her a costume two thumbs up.
Two claws up - cats don't have thumbs
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Riddlersgurl
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Re: Batman's costume - Practical or not?

Post by Riddlersgurl »

Do polydactyl cats count? They DO have a lot of pads on their paws.
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