okay so i have a question and it’s been bugging me so imma ask you, an ExpertTM are there any points in the show where we get to see Shiro in his own casual clothes? like he’s always in uniform or what he’s been given (since there aren’t many options in space)- so what does he wear when he gets to choose??
!!! I don’t know about being an Expert™ but I can say pretty confidently that there is exactly one (1) point in the entire show where we see Shiro in his own clothing:
(A personal thank you LM and JDS for this fucking food 🙌)
Other than this one instance of The Jacket (which look like it’s accompanied by a plain white t-shirt and brown pants), we know his non-uniform clothing from S1-S6 is Keith’s dad’s, and after the Voltron crew gets back to earth, it’s all Garrison uniforms. The only other exceptions I can think of that could maybe be counted are (1) the tank top that Clone Shiro wears when he’s in Keith’s room after The Rescue and (2) the tank top he’s wearing in S7 when Sam and Allura are working on his new Altean arm:
To answer your second question re: what Shiro wears when he gets to choose, I think that actually these three instances give us a good idea – practical, plain, and comfy, especially when off-duty/safe in his own space. When he’s on-duty and representing the Garrison, he’s in uniform 100% of the time. I think it’s notable that even in the scene where Shiro’s working on his hoverbike, they’re back on Garrison property and he’s is in uniform (albeit with one entire button unbuttoned).
Even in his own apartment which I think judging from the color scheme it’s safe to say is also Garrison-issue, Shiro’s fully dressed (though Shiro’s just come in and Adam is just leaving):
In general, Shiro strikes me as one of those people who shows up to work with their clothes perfectly fitted and not a hair out of place.
Shiro’s got a strong sense of duty, and you can see from the pre-Kerb flashbacks, from how other characters talk about Shiro during that period, and also from his behavior as The Leader in S1 that maintaining appearances is part of that duty. He’s the only paladin who’s ready to go at a moment’s notice, who spends the most time in his armor, who’s always standing straight-backed, shoulders down and back like he’s got to pass muster. Not that there’s a ton of pre-Kerb flashback footage but I find it significant that the only time we see him out of uniform is when he’s both of duty and physically off Garrison property.
Maintaining appearances is also important to counteract any doubts that his superior officers and even peers might have about his fitness for duty. By forming himself into what could be considered the Model Officer at the Garrison, he’s making it almost impossible for anyone to argue that he shouldn’t go on missions.
At the same time, putting all that effort into performance (both presenting his capable front and literally performing his duties) has to be exhausting, and that’s not even taking into account the degenerative disease whose effects he was surely feeling daily.
Therefore, I think Shiro is also the person who, as soon as they’re out of the public eye, goes home and changes into their comfy soft t-shirt, faded sweatpants, and lovingly worn house shoes. As much as I like the idea of Fly AF Golden Boy Shiro, I really think he’d default to the basics of what the Garrison provides – I have a strong suspicion that the white t-shirt he’s got on under his hoverbike jacket when flying with Keith is of the same standard issue as the one he’s wearing under his uniform in the maintenance scene.
The hoverbike flight jacket then is probably more exception than rule, where maybe he finds some time in his busy schedule to buy himself something nice, and even that one nice thing has practical value??
All that said, I think Shiro (consciously or otherwise) treats being out of “uniform” as being vulnerable/exposed, and it says a lot about him and his growth that it takes 7 seasons before he allows himself to be seen that way by the whole team. Before that the only two prior instances of Casual Shiro (that we see as viewers) are with Keith, and that’s a whole ‘nother essay right there ;A;
Reblogging for these very good additions by @bosstoaster:
amusedAnarchist 