Emerald Oracle said:
Whenever I see those costumes rendered in a more realistic artstyle like that I'm always struck by how horribly impractical they are. It doesn't pop up with the more cartoony style they're usually depicted in, but seeing them like that really drives home how much they need the enhanced durability/forcefield/plot armor that they have, cause damn the vulnerable targets on that design. Again though, that only really pops up when I see them depicted in a realistic style.
There was once a very long discussion thread on anifics forum several versions back about that very topic...
For all intents and purposes, when you compare them to a semi-standard seifuku, or heck, even compared to the 'normal' ones worn by the senshi when they actually are going to school, the combat outfits come out as some form of fetish gear variant for being that short and skimpy.
Don't believe me? Take two full length animated images of Usagi side by side (not fan art, but actual stills), one in each outfit, and you will see.
Do note that the uniform does change mid series from Middle school/Jr. High. to High school. but the effect is basically the same.
EDIT: thinking on it, in some cases, they are worse than the ones in ikkitousan, and those were specifically meant for fan service and to be destroyed in battles.