Theiss' Early Designs for the TNG Uniforms

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

In a TOS thread, the early TNG uniforms came up in the discussion:

Have you seen some of Thesis's early TNG uniform designs?

http://ottens.co.uk/forgottentrek/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/William-Ware-Theiss-uniform-design1.png

http://ottens.co.uk/forgottentrek/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/William-Ware-Theiss-uniform-design.png

http://ottens.co.uk/forgottentrek/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/William-Ware-Theiss-uniform-design.png

Thought I'd bring the discussion over here to the TNG forum so as not to further derail the TOS thread.

Here's what they look like:
1.

2.

3.

Prototypes were made of the first design, as seen in the "Star Trek: The Next Generation 365" book.

Click here for larger version.

I actually dig this design because it reminds me of the short-sleeved Navy khaki uniforms my dad wore when he was an officer in the Navy.

However, the second design wouldn't have been the most flattering on most people with the side vents. Yet you can see the elements that eventually made it to the actual uniforms.

And the third, of course, became the formal uniforms.

 

[Mudd]

Well, with the addition of side panels the second design became the standard uniform.

I agree the short-sleeved version would have made a good variation.

Theiss once said that the TNG uniforms were intended to mimic human anatomy - the line of trim that broke up the yoke was the clavicle, the notched color panel in front was the rib cage, etc.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Well, with the addition of side panels the second design became the standard uniform.

I agree the short-sleeved version would have made a good variation.

Theiss once said that the TNG uniforms were intended to mimic human anatomy - the line of trim that broke up the yoke was the clavicle, the notched color panel in front was the rib cage, etc.

I really loved the first season TNG uniforms because of the asymmetrical lines of the front color panel and those other elements (the yoke trim, etc.) really did accentuate a person's figure, even though it looked tight as hell to wear.

I always felt the Blackman Mandarin collar uniforms weren't the most flattering, particularly with the puffy sides created by the spandex belt on the men. And his women's uniforms looked even tighter than the original first-season jumpsuits.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

I don't dig the collar on #1. It doesn't appear to be the same in the prototypes, either because it's cut differently or because they're turned down instead of up, but in either case it's an improvement. Aside from that, the prototypes look interesting. Having some sort of sort-sleeved variant might have been nice.

 

[C.E. Evans]

It took me a few episodes into the first season to realize that the branch-colored section of the uniform wasn't just some random design, but rather the Starfleet "arrowhead" insignia with the top point flipped over onto the back.

 

[JesterFace]

There's something about those... how about STAR TREK - Cheerleaders in Space

 

[erastus25]

However, the second design wouldn't have been the most flattering on most people with the side vents. Yet you can see the elements that eventually made it to the actual uniforms.

I'm fairly positive that the sketch is intended as the equivalent of a "proof of concept" and the sides weren't intended to stay open like that.

 

[BillJ]

There's something about those... how about STAR TREK - Cheerleaders in Space

The third one is pretty much the formal variant we saw on the show.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

However, the second design wouldn't have been the most flattering on most people with the side vents. Yet you can see the elements that eventually made it to the actual uniforms.

I'm fairly positive that the sketch is intended as the equivalent of a "proof of concept" and the sides weren't intended to stay open like that.

All sketches are proof of concepts to get wild ideas on paper, regardless of whether they become reality. I'm sure it was just one of many that Theiss brought to Gene and the producers, as "we could do this or we could do that."

Also, Theiss was about showing just enough skin, and TNG was trying to be a bit more progressive in the Theiss Titillation Factor by showing men off just as much as the women. So I'm sure he was just exploring interesting ways to do that.

The skant comes to mind as well as the Edo outfits in "Justice."

 

[Karzak]

I've come to appreciate the utility of the TNG Seasons 1-2 uniforms a great deal in recent years.

I mean, they'll never be as cool to me as the TOS uniforms, but I remember really liking the asymmetrical nature of the pattern, the colored /\ of the pant legs as they fell over the front of the boots and just generally being pretty futuristic and cool to my pre-teen sensibilities.

Click here for larger version.

I also love the iPhone 12 hanging on the wall above Roddenberry. Do we know when Apple's going to open pre-ordering to the general public?

 

[FormerLurker]

Click here for larger version.

In the other thread,

The Old Mixer said:

Is it just me, or an odd camera perspective, or does that male model have freakishly long arms and short legs?

To which I replied:

At least some of it has to be perspective. If he has freakishly long arms he also has a freakishly long torso, as his wrists line up with his crotch, just like they're supposed to. The black and white may be throwing off the color saturation, and with it how well his proportions are perceived.

Edited to add: I just noticed the models are both in stocking feet. The lack of shoes, with the pant legs coming down to the bottom of their feet, makes their legs look unusually short. That has to have something to do with it.

I thought I would bring this exchange over here, to further the lessening of derailment over there.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Edited to add: I just noticed the models are both in stocking feet. The lack of shoes, with the pant legs coming down to the bottom of their feet, makes their legs look unusually short. That has to have something to do with it.

I thought I would bring this exchange over here, to further the lessening of derailment over there.

Nice catch. I wonder how many prototypes other than this one and the design that got chosen that the models had to ... well model.

 

[YJAGG]

shame they did not keep the ones in pic it would of made for a more interesting flashback scene in Violations, or for Thomas Riker's appearance in 2nd Chances

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

shame they did not keep the ones in pic it would of made for a more interesting flashback scene in Violations, or for Thomas Riker's appearance in 2nd Chances

Or a great in-between uniform worn by the crew of the Enterprise-C in "Yesterday's Enterprise."

 

[Maurice]

Just in case anyone thinks the designs in the photo are sketch #1, look at the pant legs.

What #2 makes apparent is why the "point" is inverted on the back: If you carry the diagonals from the front around to the back, voila.

They'd never have done the open sides because the front of the uniform would have bagged and left gaps any time someone bent forward. If they'd kept the idea they'd have had to use something like "nude" pantyhose material in those gaps.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Just in case anyone thinks the designs in the photo are sketch #1, look at the pant legs.

But the design still appears to be based upon the sketch — much like how elements from the second sketch ended up in the final uniform. Or some of the details on sketch #3 got dropped in the final formal uniform design.

If you look at the larger image, the area on the shoulder traps and the collar are similar to that sketch despite not having the color break on the pant legs.

It's hard to see, but look closely enough and you'll see where the collar is separated from the trap area.

 

[Trimm]

Well, with the addition of side panels the second design became the standard uniform.

I agree the short-sleeved version would have made a good variation.

Theiss once said that the TNG uniforms were intended to mimic human anatomy - the line of trim that broke up the yoke was the clavicle, the notched color panel in front was the rib cage, etc.

I really loved the first season TNG uniforms because of the asymmetrical lines of the front color panel and those other elements (the yoke trim, etc.) really did accentuate a person's figure, even though it looked tight as hell to wear.

I always felt the Blackman Mandarin collar uniforms weren't the most flattering, particularly with the puffy sides created by the spandex belt on the men. And his women's uniforms looked even tighter than the original first-season jumpsuits.

Aren't Blackman's female uniforms just the first season jumpsuit with the Mandarin colar added on?

 

[Maurice]

I'm betting Theiss did a ton of those sketches, not just the few we've seen, so i don't think the uniforms int he photo are based on sketch #1, rather sketch #1 has some elements in common with whatever sketch ended up being the basis for those particular costumes.

 

[Warped9]

I'm betting Theiss did a ton of those sketches, not just the few we've seen, so i don't think the uniforms int he photo are based on sketch #1, rather sketch #1 has some elements in common with whatever sketch ended up being the basis for those particular costumes.

Most likely.

It took me a few episodes into the first season to realize that the branch-colored section of the uniform wasn't just some random design, but rather the Starfleet "arrowhead" insignia with the top point flipped over onto the back.

I noticed the same thing quite a ways back.

I actually prefer the design of the first two seasons' uniform to what came later. I didn't like the fabric, but it looked more futuristic and seemed more a logical evolution in concept from what we had seen in TMP.

The uniforms introduced in third season were okay--and they went through an evolution in detail early on, but by the mid to end of the season they were in their final form and I didn't care for them. They looked stiff and not particularly comfortable. I also thought the zipper seasm up the back looked rediculous. It looked like a really awkward thing to get into.

The TOS tunics looked like a pullover even though there was a zipper to it that didn't show much on the old CRT screens. It made sense to have a zipper otherwise the collar could get stretched and lose shape just by putting in on. And, of course, that would mess up makeup and hair. The TMP tunics also looked like a pullover only the opening seam wasn't obvious (assuming there was one).

The uniforms introduced with DS9 looked like a step back towards the concept of early TNG and I rather liked them even though I didn't care for all that black. When they went to the gray shoulders and the dark look in later DS9 seasons and the TNG films I felt they ruined it completely.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Well, with the addition of side panels the second design became the standard uniform.

I agree the short-sleeved version would have made a good variation.

Theiss once said that the TNG uniforms were intended to mimic human anatomy - the line of trim that broke up the yoke was the clavicle, the notched color panel in front was the rib cage, etc.

I really loved the first season TNG uniforms because of the asymmetrical lines of the front color panel and those other elements (the yoke trim, etc.) really did accentuate a person's figure, even though it looked tight as hell to wear.

I always felt the Blackman Mandarin collar uniforms weren't the most flattering, particularly with the puffy sides created by the spandex belt on the men. And his women's uniforms looked even tighter than the original first-season jumpsuits.

Aren't Blackman's female uniforms just the first season jumpsuit with the Mandarin colar added on?

Yeah with the zipper moved to the back. They seemed even tighter than the first season ones.

I'm betting Theiss did a ton of those sketches, not just the few we've seen, so i don't think the uniforms int he photo are based on sketch #1, rather sketch #1 has some elements in common with whatever sketch ended up being the basis for those particular costumes.

Fair enough, much like elements from all Probert's sketches made it to the final bridge design.

 

[Doug Otte]

I really loved the first season TNG uniforms because of the asymmetrical lines of the front color panel and those other elements (the yoke trim, etc.) really did accentuate a person's figure, even though it looked tight as hell to wear.

I always felt the Blackman Mandarin collar uniforms weren't the most flattering, particularly with the puffy sides created by the spandex belt on the men. And his women's uniforms looked even tighter than the original first-season jumpsuits.

I agree. Although the Blackman uniforms were no doubt more comfortable for the actors, they were too ostentious and militaristic, especially the puffy ones from the first several 3rd season episodes.

The Theiss uniforms were more sleek and "futuristic."

 

[JesterFace]

OPINION: The uniforms from season 3 and onwards were MUCH better looking than those ugly things from 1st and 2nd season.

Of all the Trek uniforms, season 3-7 uniforms from TNG are my favorites.