Favorite Starfleet Uniform Design

[Williard]

Archaeologist wrote:

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What is your favorite Starfleet uniform design out of the entire series? The uniforms of Star Trek's Federation Starfleet has been an interesting topic for me since some time ago. I would have to say that my favorite uniforms are the so-called "Monster Maroons," a.k.a. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan uniforms, continuing up to just a few years or so prior to Star Trek: The Next Generation. I like the maroon red jacket/coat colors to begin with, and the black trousers complete the look. They actually look quite formal, elegant, and sharp, in my opinion, which may be why the design appeals to me so much. My least favorite design however, would have to be the uniforms featured in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, as to me, they far too much resembled pyjamas, rather than uniforms of any sort. They were very... outlandish. Too stereotypically "futuristic," as in something from a B movie, no offence intended for those that believe it's a good design. Just my opinion.

Well it is all good to have an opinion but i would think most scientist designers would disagree with you completely .The uniform in the Motion Picture seems to be standard view how futuristic uniform should look like. Very comfortable and light and a lot better then heavy nautical inspired uniforms in The Wrath of Kahn.

[Orcus]

This has been done in many polls over the years. I still go for TOS - it's what I grew up with. I also have a fondness for both the Cage and TMP uniforms...

...least favourite are the TWOK for reasons listed above and elsewhere.

[6079SmithW]

ST09

[Admiral Shran]

My order, from best to worst....

1.) Enterprise - They were the ones that most looked like real uniforms.
2.) Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
3.) Mid-Late "Deep Space Nine" and "First Contact"
4.) Later Maroon Uniform
5.) Early "Deep Space Nine" & "Voyager"
6.) Mid-Late "The Next Generation"
7.) Mid-Late "The Original Series"
8.) Early "The Next Generation"
9.) Early "The Original Series"
10.) Star Trek (2009)
11.) Star Trek: The Motion Picture

[James Wright]

I picked the TWOK uniform wiith TOS uniforms (later versions)a close second.

James

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ You think the TWOK uniforms were cool, look at this. Check under "Monster Blacks".

[SVD]

Mid TNG and the Voyager uni's, they're what I grew up with as Trek uniforms

[Archaeologist]

Scott Hayden wrote:

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Well it is all good to have an opinion but i would think most scientist designers would disagree with you completely .The uniform in the Motion Picture seems to be standard view how futuristic uniform should look like. Very comfortable and light and a lot better then heavy nautical inspired uniforms in The Wrath of Kahn.

Well, that's true, I do like the nautical/navy inspired look of The Wrath of Khan uniforms. But wait, didn't the Star Trek cast have trouble with putting on The Motion Picture uniforms? I remember reading that it took quite a lot of time to have them put on for the filming. If that is how they're actually constructed, I don't find them practical at all, and they certainly weren't very elegant, in my opinion.

[scotpens]

IIRC, director Nicholas Meyer had a lot of say-so in the costume design and overall art direction for TWOK -- he wanted everything to have a traditional nautical flavor. The “monster maroons” looked fine as dress or parade uniforms, but they didn't seem terribly practical or comfortable for everday duty aboard a starship. And they gave me the feeling that the cast was about to break into a chorus of “76 Trombones” at any moment.

Pauln6 wrote:

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Pyjama uniforms are a must. Think about it - unlimited access to replicators and no TV? The crew would be as big as houses without those form-fitting uniforms and Dr McCoy's regular lypo-suction sessions.

The body-hugging uniforms that started with TNG are no problem, because in the 24th century, EVERYBODY has a great physique. Even middle-aged bald captains.

[apollo1984]

I voted for Enterprise uniform as it was the most practical, but I do also like the FC/DS9 uniforms, The uniforms shown on starship Relativity and the black uniforms shown on The Siege of AR-558.

[Nero's Shadow]

I voted ST09 love how they used the delta symbols as a pattern.

My 2nd favourite has to be the TMP yes they look bland and yes they look like pyjamas but TMP was a big film at that time and i don,t think the TOS uniforms would have looked right on the big screen and with all the different changes to set design they would have looked out of place. However they should have incorporated the gold,blue and red departments into the pyjama look it worked for TNG.

[Lor'Vela]

Despite the 24th Century rank pips, the ENT uniforms always struck me as the most practical. I also have a fondness of the late 23rd Century uniforms and the post-First Contact style as well.

Special mention to the grey jacket Picard sometimes wore from Season 5 onwards.

[Shamrock Holmes]

scotpens wrote:

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IIRC, director Nicholas Meyer had a lot of say-so in the costume design and overall art direction for TWOK -- he wanted everything to have a traditional nautical flavor. The “monster maroons” looked fine as dress or parade uniforms, but they didn't seem terribly practical or comfortable for everday duty aboard a starship. And they gave me the feeling that the cast was about to break into a chorus of “76 Trombones” at any moment.

The body-hugging uniforms that started with TNG are no problem, because in the 24th century, EVERYBODY has a great physique. Even middle-aged bald captains.

I agree that as far as Dress Uniforms (IIRC usually designated Class A is military terms) that the 'monster maroons' were my favorites.

Partly because I think they could easily be the 'Class A' variant of the Cage/WNMHGB pilot uniforms - which I think are the best for everyday (Class B) wear - except for the wider palette of divisional colors which IMO is worth consider tho I think some of the colors were used for the wrong things).

The ENT uniforms I think are the best for 'down-and-dirty' work, tho the FC unis would be good as well if some pockets were added.

[sbk1234]

Nero's Shadow wrote:

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My 2nd favourite has to be the TMP yes they look bland and yes they look like pyjamas but TMP was a big film at that time and i don,t think the TOS uniforms would have looked right on the big screen and with all the different changes to set design they would have looked out of place. However they should have incorporated the gold,blue and red departments into the pyjama look it worked for TNG.

I always felt they would have looked great, and been more positively received if they just used a black trouser with the shirts from TMP. That would have eliminated any "pyjama" look, IMHO.

[Sector 7]

Each uniform has its place. Here are my opinions:

Mid-Late "The Original Series"
- obviously the one that started it all, while not practical, I am fond of it

Star Trek: The Motion Picture
- a terrible idea, they look too antiseptic and impractical

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan "Monster Maroons"
- these look much more like a formal dress uniform, only to be worn at State dinners, etc.

Later Maroon Uniform (Earlier flashbacks in TNG)
- same as above except someone forgot to put the collar/undershirt on

Mid-Late "The Next Generation" - similar to modern Class A uniforms (A Few Good Men courtroom scene for civilians)

Early "Deep Space Nine" & "Voyager"
- similar to BDU (Battle Dress Uniforms such as worn in Iraq/Afghanistan today)
- these have much needed, practical POCKETS!!

Mid-Late "Deep Space Nine" and "First Contact"
- these are my favorite uniform as they look more like a real military uniform with the black/grey scheme instead of bright color
- similar to most Class A Navy uniforms

"Enterprise"
- a good bridge between current NASA shuttle uniforms and USS Kelvin era uniforms
- pockets make them practical

Star Trek (2009)
- I am please that they honored TOS by only slightly altering the uniforms from the original idea with modern updates