Real life examples from World War One are actually not so much accurate - the trope was more of zigzagged. Russians With Rifles adopted rather frugal and austere unassuming uniform after defeat in the Russo-Japanese War - at least for the rank and file, that is - basically variant of the peasant rubashka shirt and sharovari trousers in drab green. Even officers had rather modest field service uniforms and any Bling of War was reserved for parades and rear-areas service dress. And of course the Czar's Guard regiments, cavalry and Cossacks retained some residuums of their better looking uniforms, with some of their distinctions even for the field service — but that's all.
Sukhomlinov himself was perhaps known as a snappy dresser, but as the minister of war he seems to be actually trying to invoke this trope for his troops.
Edited by isolato
Is there any way this could get a rename? At the moment it's absolute nonsense unless you're in the know, this name isn't common knowledge like 'Chekhov's Gun' or 'Schrodinger's Cat' plus its pretty hard to spell if you're trying to use it. Seems a shame to lose the reference though, so could we just clarify the name? Something like 'Sukhomlinov's Law of Uniform Superiority'.. 'of Fancy Costumes'.. I'd say something shorter but GOD is that name long.. If we could lose the name I'd vote for Spiffy Threads Effect or something.
Edited by Bunni89 Hide / Show Replies
Everything You Wanted to Know About Changing Names
Read up. There's rules about dese tings. :P ;)
I also recommend Ask the Tropers.
Sorcerer in training
Before the Battle of Monmoth in the American Revolution, General Washington ordered his troops not to wear their coats while marching to their attack on the British forces. Since the day's high temperature was well over 100 F, this meant his troops were in much better shape to fight.
Please note that the uniforms at the time, especially the coats, were often made of wool. Great fun for recreators who want to be 100% accurate.
Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving. -Terry Pratchett
Assistant Vice Janitor
The final entry under real life about the war in Afghanistan is inaccurate. NATO forces were not pushed out by the Taliban, rather it got to the point where Afghanistan's own NATO trained and backed security forces could handle it, the NATO troops weren't needed anymore.
Lurking old school
Linking to a past Trope Repair Shop thread that dealt with this page: Unhealthy trope and don't know about name.
, started by artman40 on Mar 7th 2011 at 9:46:07 PM
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman