Dressing for the Occasion

GATHERSBURG, Md. – The everyday life may seem mundane during the week when handling routine administrative tasks. On the weekends, one woman sets out to stick out above the crowd and literally display her personality.

“I like to be unique. I like to be different. I like to put my own spin on things,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Reina Reyes.

A Chicago native serving in the Navy for the past 13 years, Reyes broke out her sewing kit five years ago and unleashed her creativity onto Halloween apparel.

“I felt pretty… I just got a lot of positive feedback from it too so that just reinforced everything,” said Reyes.

“It actually started with the peacock costume that I made and I ordered the feathers and did the tail and the whole thing and it came out fabulous. So after that, I just started making them,” Reyes explained.

Though dressing up around the Halloween is normal to those who celebrate the mischief season of trick or treat, Reyes has created over 13 costumes for many other themed events.

“I prefer to participate in a fun 5K or obstacle courses. Things like that where you get to just dress up and just have fun basically.”

Dressing to impress is more than a catchy saying to Reyes. She feels adding a personal touch instead of just buying what everyone else can get at a costume store displays one’s personality.

“It’s relaxing and when you see the finished product, you feel accomplished,” said Reyes. “Eventually when I have children, they’re going to have the coolest costumes.”

The arts, crafts and creativity of putting together a unique outfit allows Reyes a brief escape from looking the same as everyone else in uniform, a way to reflect her own individuality and a break from routine administrative work.

Dressing for the Occasion Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Reina Reyes stands in a patient room at the Walter Reid Medical Center, Nov. 2, 2015. Reyes serves as the leading petty officer for Naval Medical Center Cardiology Department.	Dressing for the Occasion Reina Reyes’ peacock feathers stand at her apartment in Gaithersburg, Md. , Nov. 2, 2015. The peacock feathers are part of her first costume she created five years ago.
Dressing for the Occasion Reina Reyes’ sewing machine holds cloth material at her apartment in Gaithersburg, Md. , Nov. 2, 2015. Reyes makes her own costumes at home for several events.	Dressing for the Occasion Reina Reyes puts make-up on at her apartment in Gaithersburg, Md. , Oct. 31, 2015. For the past five years, Reyes has been putting her own “spin” on Halloween costumes for several events.
Dressing for the Occasion Purple make-up sits on the sink counter of Reina Reyes apartment in Gaithersburg, Md., Oct. 31, 2015. The make-up helps Reyes transform into “Ursula” from the “Little Mermaid.”	Dressing for the Occasion Reina Reyes brushes make-up on her face to get into costume for Halloween at Gaithersburg, Md., Oct. 31, 2015. Reyes likes to attend costume-themed parties.
Dressing for the Occasion Participants head toward the start line of the Insane Inflatable 5K around Robert F. Kennedy stadium in Washington, D.C., Oct. 31, 2015. Runners receive medals and t-shirts after completing the obstacle course.	Dressing for the Occasion Participants gather around the Robert F. Kennedy stadium in Washington, D.C., to run in the Insane Inflatable 5K Oct. 31, 2015. Runners are encouraged to wear costume as they go through the obstacle course.
Dressing for the Occasion Reina Reyes smiles before participating in the Insane Inflatable 5K around Robert F. Kennedy stadium in Washington, D.C., Oct. 31, 2015. Reyes likes to attend events that encourage the wear of costumes.	Dressing for the Occasion Heather Thomas, left, and Reina Reyes slide down an obstacle in the Insane Inflatable 5K around Robert F. Kennedy stadium in Washington, D.C., Oct. 31, 2015. Thomas and Reyes have been friends for 13 years and often attend events together.
Dressing for the Occasion Heather Thomas, left, and Reina Reyes complete the Insane Inflatable 5K around Robert F. Kennedy stadium in Washington, D.C., Oct. 31, 2015. Thomas and Reyes are among many participants wearing super hero costumes during the event.	Dressing for the Occasion Reina Reyes holds her medal up after completing the Insane Inflatable 5K around Robert F. Kennedy stadium in Washington, D.C., Oct. 31, 2015. Each participant receives a medal from completing the obstacle.