If criminals are known to routinely wear specific articles of clothing, and indeed recognize and react to each other based on those articles of clothing, then wearing that style of clothing is by definition dressing up as a criminal.
For instance, in certain ethnic communities, wearing a style or color of clothing associated with gang A into territory controlled by or into the presence of members of gang B can and will result in violent reactions. Even if the person wearing the clothing is utterly unaware of its association with criminality or that anyone might object to his wearing it.
The colors worn by motorcycle gangs/clubs are considered by them to be exclusive, to the extent they will react violently to anyone unauthorized wearing them. It is to all intents and purposes a uniform.
If the organization prescribing the conditions under which that uniform can be worn is, within the meaning of the law, a criminal organization, then that uniform is by definition criminal clothing. Not because there is anything wrong in and of itself with the fibers, dyes, etc. But because the wearing of that uniform expresses allegiance to a criminal organization.
“It is to all intents and purposes a uniform.”
Not by accident. Most of the original clubs were founded by Veterans.
“The colors worn by motorcycle gangs/clubs are considered by them to be exclusive, to the extent they will react violently to anyone unauthorized wearing them.”
Not all. There are many clubs that are Christian based who also wear colors.
There’s a commitment to joining a motorcycle club. If you don’t make that commitment, you don’t deserve to wear the colors.
Let a couple of Marines catch some butthole wearing their uniform without having made the commitment.
Comparing MC Clubs to Bloods, Crips, MS-13, is not exactly accurate. Many times kids are drafted into the latter, and can’t escape. Also the majority of these gangs commit crime.
Joining a MC club is difficult, and you can walk away from the lifestyle if you desire. Only a small minority of these clubs are criminals. Hence the 1%er patch.