Which Uniforms Do You Prefer

ZapBrannigan · February 2 2013, 08:40 AM

The velour tunics of Seasons 1 and 2 versus the synthetic fabric used in Year 3: your choice?

I like the synth uniforms for their smoother, more fitted look. They held their shape better.

Shatner, at that point in his life, could make anything look good. But even he had trouble with shrinkage. Note his sleeve length when the landing party beams down in "Miri."

For haute couture, it's the difference between Helen Noel and Mira Romaine.

Maybe the velour uniforms are favored by some for their soft organic look, which so clearly reflected the show's humble budget and homey appeal.

Melakon · February 2 2013, 10:26 AM

The velour was chosen because it looked good under the lights. But the costumes were dry-cleaned every night, and the velour shrank and had to be constantly altered. That's why they switched to polyester.

I liked the velours, but the polyesters showed off their physiques better.

Metryq · February 2 2013, 10:44 AM

De Kelley probably couldn't have ripped a polyester sleeve so easily in "The Naked Time." By the third season, Shatner and the leading ladies had to wear grounding straps so they wouldn't jump on first contact.

ZapBrannigan · February 2 2013, 01:04 PM

Metryq wrote:

De Kelley probably couldn't have ripped a polyester sleeve so easily in "The Naked Time." By the third season, Shatner and the leading ladies had to wear grounding straps so they wouldn't jump on first contact.

I'm pretty sure they rigged all wardrobe malfunctions in advance, including Kirk's "artfully ripped shirts" that the leading ladies of '70s fandom used to rave about.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who read recently that Shatner warned Yvonne Craig (Marta the green Orion whackjob) not to touch him in their big bedroom scene, because she was painted green and he was down to his last clean uniform.

Keith1701 · February 2 2013, 01:55 PM

Melakon wrote:

The velour was chosen because it looked good under the lights. But the costumes were dry-cleaned every night, and the velour shrank and had to be constantly altered. That's why they switched to polyester.

I liked the velours, but the polyesters showed off their physiques better.

I agree as well.

Lance · February 2 2013, 02:12 PM

Melakon wrote:

The velour was chosen because it looked good under the lights. But the costumes were dry-cleaned every night, and the velour shrank and had to be constantly altered. That's why they switched to polyester.

This shrinking was particularly egregious at times.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/Sir_Lance/Bab6.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28...ance/Bab13.jpg

At least later on, they figured that if they made the actors wear a black shirt underneath, it would help to mask the shrinking costumes. But it was still evident:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28...ics/BAON29.jpg

Warped9 · February 2 2013, 06:47 PM

My favourite uniform is Kirk's first season command alternate tunic. I, too, liked the velour shirts, but the polyesters made more sense.

Melakon · February 2 2013, 07:27 PM

ZapBrannigan wrote:

I'm pretty sure they rigged all wardrobe malfunctions in advance, including Kirk's "artfully ripped shirts" that the leading ladies of '70s fandom used to rave about.

I doubt the split pants that show up in some fight scenes were planned in advance. One good one is Khan forcing open the door to his quarters and backhanding a guard. The stunt man does a backward leap across the corridor and his pants split along the thigh, revealing long underwear.

C.E. Evans · February 2 2013, 07:56 PM

The polyester uniforms are definitely better made, but I never particularly liked the fit of them on some people. But I have to give my vote to them because of how much shrinkage the velour uniforms were prone to.

Carcazoid · February 2 2013, 08:59 PM

Interesting note about the velour tunics: in Enemy Within when Evil Kirk beams in he's wearing what looks like a brand new tunic. So new, it didn't have the delta emblem on it yet.

http://tos.trekcore.com/gallery/albu...ywithin028.jpg

TREK_GOD_1 · February 2 2013, 09:32 PM

The shirt and cut of the trousers at the end of season 1 are my favorite. Most main cast trouser flare were just below the boot line, which had the appearance of a military influence, while the low cut pant just appeared...average.

BillJ · February 2 2013, 09:33 PM

The season three uniforms simply look and fit better.

Melakon · February 2 2013, 10:36 PM

I had some contemporary (as in non-Trek) velour shirts. They were really comfortable fabric, but could get hot in the wrong weather. They must have been uncomfortable under stage lights.

plynch · February 2 2013, 10:43 PM

I like Kirk's wraparounds for the color palette on my tv screen then, especially on the bridge: having green with the blues and reds of the other divisions looks nice.

Marlonius · February 2 2013, 11:34 PM

Carcazoid wrote:

Interesting note about the velour tunics: in Enemy Within when Evil Kirk beams in he's wearing what looks like a brand new tunic. So new, it didn't have the delta emblem on it yet.

http://tos.trekcore.com/gallery/albu...ywithin028.jpg

Actually, they had to take the emblem off each night, as well as the rank stripes for the aforementioned drycleaning.

In fact, in HD, many of the tunics have the outline of the emblem showing up slightly out of alignment with its location on that day of shooting. Obviously stuff they hadn't foreseen 45 years ago!

February 2 2013, 08:40 AM	#1
ZapBrannigan Commander Location: New York State	Which Uniforms Do You Prefer The velour tunics of Seasons 1 and 2 versus the synthetic fabric used in Year 3: your choice? I like the synth uniforms for their smoother, more fitted look. They held their shape better. Shatner, at that point in his life, could make anything look good. But even he had trouble with shrinkage. Note his sleeve length when the landing party beams down in "Miri." For haute couture, it's the difference between Helen Noel and Mira Romaine. Maybe the velour uniforms are favored by some for their soft organic look, which so clearly reflected the show's humble budget and homey appeal.

February 2 2013, 10:26 AM	#2
Melakon Commodore Location: Unmarked grave, Ekos	Re: Which Uniforms Do You Prefer The velour was chosen because it looked good under the lights. But the costumes were dry-cleaned every night, and the velour shrank and had to be constantly altered. That's why they switched to polyester. I liked the velours, but the polyesters showed off their physiques better. __________________ "Every time you think, you weaken the nation." --Moe Howard

February 2 2013, 10:44 AM	#3
Metryq Commander	Re: Which Uniforms Do You Prefer De Kelley probably couldn't have ripped a polyester sleeve so easily in "The Naked Time." By the third season, Shatner and the leading ladies had to wear grounding straps so they wouldn't jump on first contact. __________________ "No, I better not look. I just might be in there." —Foghorn Leghorn

February 2 2013, 06:47 PM	#7
Warped9 Admiral Location: Brockville, Ontario, Canada	Re: Which Uniforms Do You Prefer My favourite uniform is Kirk's first season command alternate tunic. I, too, liked the velour shirts, but the polyesters made more sense. __________________ *STAR TREK:* 1964-1991

February 2 2013, 07:56 PM	#9
C.E. Evans Vice Admiral Location: Saint Louis (aka Defiance)	Re: Which Uniforms Do You Prefer The polyester uniforms are definitely better made, but I never particularly liked the fit of them on some people. But I have to give my vote to them because of how much shrinkage the velour uniforms were prone to. __________________ "Shout, shout, let it all out..."

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February 2 2013, 08:59 PM	#10
Carcazoid Captain Location: Planet Carcazed	Re: Which Uniforms Do You Prefer Interesting note about the velour tunics: in Enemy Within when Evil Kirk beams in he's wearing what looks like a brand new tunic. So new, it didn't have the delta emblem on it yet. http://tos.trekcore.com/gallery/albu...ywithin028.jpg __________________ =Carcazoid=

February 2 2013, 09:32 PM	#11
TREK_GOD_1 Captain Location: Delta Vega	Re: Which Uniforms Do You Prefer The shirt and cut of the trousers at the end of season 1 are my favorite. Most main cast trouser flare were just below the boot line, which had the appearance of a military influence, while the low cut pant just appeared...average. __________________ "...to be like God, you have the power to make the world anything you want it to be."

February 2 2013, 09:33 PM	#12
BillJ Vice Admiral Location: Greater Cincinnati	Re: Which Uniforms Do You Prefer The season three uniforms simply look and fit better. __________________ Boobies are evil!!!

February 2 2013, 10:36 PM	#13
Melakon Commodore Location: Unmarked grave, Ekos	Re: Which Uniforms Do You Prefer I had some contemporary (as in non-Trek) velour shirts. They were really comfortable fabric, but could get hot in the wrong weather. They must have been uncomfortable under stage lights. __________________ "Every time you think, you weaken the nation." --Moe Howard

February 2 2013, 10:43 PM	#14
plynch Fleet Captain Location: Outer Graceland	Re: Which Uniforms Do You Prefer I like Kirk's wraparounds for the color palette on my tv screen then, especially on the bridge: having green with the blues and reds of the other divisions looks nice. __________________ Author of Live Like Louis: Inspirational Stories from the Life of Louis Armstrong, http://livelikelouis.com.