Uniforms

[fireproof78]

Shoulder epaulets are best although cuffs are simple and visible. I'd go for both. For some reason NuTrek doesn't give the women any visible rank insignia at all. That's a disaster during red alert. Highly visible is better. Whether you want to advertise rank on a field jacket is debatable. I'd say no. If you don't know whose on your landing party, you're already in trouble.

Well, rank is an important aspect of a uniform, so I too was annoyed by the lack of ranking on the short sleeved uniforms for females. I mean, it isn't like the rankings couldn't go on the cap sleeves, especially given Kirk's green wrap.

In any case, sometimes it seems like rank symbols are treated like an afterthought or a fashion accessory, rather than a requirement on a uniform.

Despite my misgivings about the TMP uniforms, epaulets are a good idea and have worked well for many, many years and worked well on those uniforms. I just didn't like the color scheme.

As for an in-universe reason for the TWOK uniform change, I would imagine that it would be to provide the best amount of coverage, and flexibility given the possibility of changing alien landscapes. Obviously, there are field jackets and uniforms, but in a pinch, the officer's jackets offer a degree of protection, especially given the potential of more futuristic materials, as mentioned before

Also, the uniforms are more, well, uniform. There is a distinct, unifying theme, representing the entirety of the fleet. Given the adoption of the Enterprise arrowhead, the uniform change also indicates a greater solidarity of the entire Fleet, given the crisis with the Klingons.

 

[Gassy Man]

Of all the uniforms ever offered in any Star Trek incarnation, the TOS ones made the most sense. They were simple but color coordinated according to general department, and the sleeve stripes were the easiest to distinguish up close or from a distance. One could argue that even if Kirk's original wraparound had the scrambled eggs on the shoulders, that was fine because only captains got to wear that uniform version.

The stupid pips and shoulder boards of some later uniforms required someone to be close enough to the wearer to make out.

TWOK uniforms have an unnecessarily complex system for rank, in my opinion, but visually they are interesting, and the additional of extra piping and pant stripes or whatever might have served to make things a little easier to figure out.

 

[Mister Spock]

I've always been a fan of these recolourings. Spock and McCoy's blue, as well as Saavik's grey, works really well.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/412853490814273902/

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Actually, the only pin designed later was the Lt. Cmdr. pin. So naturally fans started creating their own designs. One of these fan designs (published in Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise) even made it into the official Encyclopedia (Cmdr. pin with a broken rung).

When Mr. Fletcher realized his omission he created one for Star Trek 4.

Who in ST 4 was a LCDR?

The Enterprise senior staff were all Commanders, Captains, and Admiral Kirk. Saavik was still a Lieutenant. So who's left?

 

[The Old Mixer]

Possibly somebody at Starfleet HQ? Rand, Chapel, the chick from the Go-Gos...?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ IIRC, all three of those people are full Commanders as of the last time we saw them.

 

[The Old Mixer]

Well, I hope Belinda Carlisle at least made Captain, then.

 

[fireproof78]

Actually, the only pin designed later was the Lt. Cmdr. pin. So naturally fans started creating their own designs. One of these fan designs (published in Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise) even made it into the official Encyclopedia (Cmdr. pin with a broken rung).

When Mr. Fletcher realized his omission he created one for Star Trek 4.

Who in ST 4 was a LCDR?

The Enterprise senior staff were all Commanders, Captains, and Admiral Kirk. Saavik was still a Lieutenant. So who's left?

Well, a quick look through Memory Alpha did not yield much, but I would imagine that several background extras, given all the commotion at Starfleet Command over the probe, were probably used. Also, would be useful for the next film.

 

[Spike730]

This Alien working at Starfleet HQ was a Lt. Cmdr.

http://aliens.wikia.com/wiki/Arkenite

Chapel was a full commander and Rand was still a non-commissioned officer (Master Chief according to the script). Jane Wiedlin's rank insignia is hard to make out. Best guess Lt. or Lt. JG.

 

[Pauln6]

I've always been a fan of these recolourings. Spock and McCoy's blue, as well as Saavik's grey, works really well.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/412853490814273902/

Yeah I kinda like those. Colours need muting slightly but good fun.

 

[Ithekro]

There is something I failed to consider about TWOK rank pins. In universe, could they have been based on the rank system from one of the other member races, rather than Earth? The Vulcans had some sort of rank pin systems prior to joining the Federation.

 

[fireproof78]

^^
That's a good point. Or, the pins may be more visually striking to more members of the Federation, rather than the simple braiding, which could be regarded as purely decorative or not distinctive enough.

However, the enlisted rank pins need a different location.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Well, I hope Belinda Carlisle at least made Captain, then.

Jane Wiedlin.

 

[The Old Mixer]

^What I meant was, if she made Commander, then I hope Belinda Carlisle made Captain.

 

[Lance]

If I had anything to say about it, Belinda Carlisle would be Chief of Starfleet Operations. No less a position will do.

 

[J.T.B.]

I liked Carlisle in her punkier days, not so much her late '80s skinny glam makeover, but Caffey and Wiedlin were the talent center of the band. But the other four kicked Kathy Valentine out so they are all dead to me.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Kathy's not in the band any more?!!! Bummer. I saw them on the Vacation tour way back when.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Speaking of the TMP uniforms, here are some costume tests I've never seen, including a shaggy-haired Shatner who's still working on getting into "Kirk shape":

http://boomerstarkiller67.tumblr.com/tagged/starfleet-uniform

Also some sketches here:
http://boomerstarkiller67.tumblr.co...ar-trek-the-motion-picture-costume-designs-by

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Since I can't edit my previous post anymore, wanted to jump in and post an early prototype of Kirk's admiral uniform that I came across. It's got some interesting differences, including a thick, white strip down the pant legs.

Check it out:

 

[J.T.B.]

That is interesting, thanks for posting. My guess about the rank stripes is that they were based on what was illustrated in the FJ Technical Manual, before things were clarified by the Jon Povill memo of Aug. 3 1978 that's included in TMoSTTMP.