So...women in the new Trek series.

[stardream]

The question will be asked eventually so might as well get it out of the way.

Catsuits, bunny suits or uniforms? Is it possible for a female civilian who happens to be attached to Starfleet in someway to just wear...normal clothes? Speaking as a straight female I personally thought Seven and Troi looked best in uniform.

The PTB need to keep in mind of course that the demographics of the audience has shifted. Fan service is expected but I think there will be grumbling if there is not 'equal' time.

And why don't these questions come up about men? Although the bartender in "Below Decks' did wear a rather interesting outfit.

 

[Long Syntax]

Anything that shows leg

In all seriousness though, I don't think we have to have miniskirts again - I wasn't a fan of them in TOS either (seemed silly). Having said that attractive outfits / uniforms should be a goal... I mean, who wants to watch anyone in a beige moo-moo

As for the question double standard, well I suspect it's the demographics involved -- mostly men. Not that there aren't women that like ST, just in smaller numbers. Hell, I'd love it if my wife would watch with me, but unfortunately all she sees is what someone on here recently described as the "nerd aura". On a positive note though, my 9 year old daughter is a ST fan, so I've fulfilled my commitment to indoctrinate the younger generation in the wonders of ST

 

[CorporalCaptain]

And why don't these questions come up about men?

In all seriousness, they did with respect to the original series. Kirk getting his shirt ripped off or otherwise losing it is a meme for a reason.

Sexiness has been a part of Star Trek from the very beginning. It can continue to be sexy, but without sexism, please.

 

[stardream]

Sexiness has been a part of Star Trek from the very beginning. It can continue to be sexy, but without sexism, please.

True. I know we go on and on about Seven and her catsuit but what is important is how the men on Voyager treated her. She and her opinions were respected. Even Harry with his bumbling crush didn't treat her as an object. There was a statement somewhere about how half the men on the ship would love to date her which is fine and normal but we never saw those men leering at her or making suggestive comments around her while on duty. People behaved professionally around her.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Women make up 50% of the main cast and all in standard uniform.

The only time a catsuit should be considered is for a hunky male character, after all it's about time for equality.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Women make up 50% of the main cast and all in standard uniform.

The only time a catsuit should be considered is for a hunky male character, after all it's about time for equality.

 

[stardream]

Not exactly catsuits....

I don't know about someone having to wear something like that all the time though.

 

[Jedi_Master]

To be honest, attractive people sell stuff, so I imagine that virtually all the new cast members will be relatively young and relatively attractive, wearing uniforms that highlight their physical gifts in a safe, "family - friendly" way.

 

[Mudd]

Get Alice Eve's costumer.

 

[Jedi_Master]

I wonder if JJ regrets those 30 seconds about as much as Mickey Rooney regrets Mr. Yunioshi.

 

[Melakon]

Mickey Rooney regrets being dead.

 

[stardream]

I just hope that whatever they wind up wearing (male and female) that they are comfortable. I remember stories from TNG about how uncomfortable the uniforms were the first couple of seasons and how Jeri Ryan couldn't even sit down in that first suit. Some of them complained about how bad their costumes smelled.

Then there was the padding, the corsets and girdles and muscle suits...all in the name of looking good.

Just let them be able to move and breathe freely please!

 

[T'Girl]

The Norman Unit.

Get Alice Eve's costumer.

Victoria Secret?

 

[Awesome Possum]

I want all the crew members to wear those manskirt uniforms from early TNG. If there is a dog or cat on board, it wears one too.

 

[USS Triumphant]

Discounting TOS, I believe women in Starfleet wearing regular uniforms that are largely the same as the men's uniforms vastly outnumber women wearing ridiculous bodysuits and such. In the latter category, I recall THREE - Seven, T'Pol, and arguably Troi. Though honestly I never saw what was going on with Troi's outfits as sexist so much as just an attempt to give her her own distinct look. I quite liked her in what I think of as her "Stevie Nicks" outfit (below) - it seemed perfectly professional for a counselor, except for those shoes. (Boots in that color would have been better, probably.)

 

[stardream]

I want all the crew members to wear those manskirt uniforms from early TNG. If there is a dog or cat on board, it wears one too.

I just had a mental image of Spot and Porthos wearing skirts.

 

[Tim Walker]

Re: Gender Equality

I recall an example from a so called "reality show"; I think it was the Big Brother franchise.

The contestants were required to wear bunny suits, while hanging upside down.

 

[Jedman67]

Stargate pulled it off well, the female duty uniforms were identical to the mens, and until Claudia Black joined the cast, did virtually nothing to emphasize any femininity (compared to 7 of 9, for example).
There's no reason why the new trek show should make a big deal of it.

 

[Paul Weaver]

Stargate pulled it off well, the female duty uniforms were identical to the mens, and until Claudia Black joined the cast, did virtually nothing to emphasize any femininity (compared to 7 of 9, for example).
There's no reason why the new trek show should make a big deal of it.

True, and SG1 had a really strong female lead. 4 male leads too. Sigh.

But lets not forget Hathor, which as well as showing there were 5 women and a hundred men on the base, said that Hathor's magic potion would seduce straight and gay men alike, but not straight and gay women.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTcNsyqnOzE

 

[cultcross]

In the latter category, I recall THREE - Seven, T'Pol, and arguably Troi.

So the major female characters of their respective series I'd throw Major Kira in that mix as well - Although she started out in a standard uniform they moved her into a figure hugging catsuit pretty quickly which was not seen on any other Bajoran officer.

Of course, there are female main cast members who were dressed as their male counterparts were - Janeway, Crusher and the Daxes spring to mind. And my question is this - does that make those characters less interesting, successful, or well regarded than Seven, T'Pol and Troi?

Trek has had some strong female characters over time - as has been said, the treatment of Seven by other characters and within the plot was not sexist, despite her costuming, which was. Kira, Dax, Janeway, Yar, Crusher, all professional women who are portrayed as independently competent, intelligent, and separate from the context of a love interest. The main issue still to overcome is representation - Voyager is the only show so far to fit (gasp) a third woman in the main cast alongside 6 men - and the lingering objectification of the 'catsuit era'.

I think that the show makers, as in so many other contexts, need to look at the shifting times since the TNG era shows were made. The millenials, the Tumblr generation, are far more aware of social issues like shows with exactly one female cast member or which dress their men in uniforms and their women in spandex. This new show has to appeal to the audience of Orange is the New Black, and that is a different challenge than just making sexy female aliens.

I'd like to see gender parity in the cast, a continuation of Trek's strong female roles, and costuming decisions that don't make you cringe.