Boy, those uniforms must bunch up very easily or something...

[Gul Re'jal]

Joe_Atari wrote:

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Never having been forced to wear skin-tight spandex, I've always wondered... specifically what was it about the S1 & S2 uniforms that caused back pain for the actors? Supposedly that was a common complaint that was alleviated with the S3 uniforms. I can't understand how clothing alone can cause back pain (unless it's really heavy or something like that).

I read somewhere (I think it was an unofficial Partick Stewart bio) that those S1&2 uniforms were too small to keep them always smooth on bodies. Now put on something tight, a size or two too small and wear for 10 hours staight, everyday for two years. I'm not sure it makes you get a back pain, but surely can become horribly uncomfortable and unbarable after some time.

[Arpy]

I love the TNG uniforms. Both versions, for different reasons. Neither were meant to be worn today but to look good. All the Starfleet uniforms are meant to be made of weird future materials that wear comfortably, and I think keep you warm in the cold and cool in the heat.

Unfortunately, the costumes themselves are made out of today's materials and bunch up easily, so you get tugging.

...It looked cool when Patrick Stewart did it.


P.S. Hey moderator, I think we need Trek versions for every differently emoting emoticon. Who do I voice this to?

[FormerLurker]

Joe_Atari wrote:

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Never having been forced to wear skin-tight spandex, I've always wondered... specifically what was it about the S1 & S2 uniforms that caused back pain for the actors? Supposedly that was a common complaint that was alleviated with the S3 uniforms. I can't understand how clothing alone can cause back pain (unless it's really heavy or something like that).

Trekker4747 wrote:

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I suspect it'd have something to do with always having to keep your bag tight and tense to stand up straight against the strain of the spandex trying to constrict you.

Gul Re'jal wrote:

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I read somewhere (I think it was an unofficial Partick Stewart bio) that those S1&2 uniforms were too small to keep them always smooth on bodies. Now put on something tight, a size or two too small and wear for 10 hours staight, everyday for two years. I'm not sure it makes you get a back pain, but surely can become horribly uncomfortable and unbarable after some time.

According to what I read in Star Trek the Magazine, the spandex used in the S1&2 uniforms ran lengthwise on the actors' bodies, and the legs were held in place with stirrups. As the spandex would bunch, the stirrups would pull on the feet in a manner that would pull the shoulders down, throwing the back out of alignment and causing pain. Left too long, this would have the effect of some serious alignment damage for the wearer.
The spandex from S3 onward was arranged to wrap around the body laterally. It made the material look better, and was much healthier to wear, but had the disadvantage of magnifying any kind of paunch the actor might have. This is why all the leads were put in the woven fabric uniforms rather than the knit.

[T'Girl]

Jeff O'Connor wrote:

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start counting the number of times this is done.

A new Star Trek drinking game. Can't wait to try it.

Arpy wrote:

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I love the TNG uniforms. Both versions

Thiis is something I've never understood, from the beginning of TNG until the end of VOY, it's the same basic uniform. All they did is swap the colors a little bit It's a jumpsuit, even the cadet uniforms in TWOK had the same look.

[Kirk1980]

Yeah, I even heard the stirrups would cause there to eventually be cuts on the actors' feet by the end of a shooting day. This combined with sweaty boots likely lead to a lot of hate for the S1&2 uniforms by the cast.

[Arpy]

T'Girl wrote:

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Thiis is something I've never understood, from the beginning of TNG until the end of VOY, it's the same basic uniform. All they did is swap the colors a little bit It's a jumpsuit, even the cadet uniforms in TWOK had the same look.

I pity you.