Wearing a Starfleet Uniform in public

[Cmdr Sho]

thanks for all the imput!! at the time that the picture was taken, i did not have black dress shoes... but my friends do wear a uniform sometimes too... the uniform i got off of costumecraze.com, but i did buy a first contact uniform that sucks... that one looked just like the picture... the grey shoulders were not quilted and was made of the same material as the piece... 89 dollars it cost.... form the guys that worked with paramount on uniforms... but here is todays update... there was a service project for Circle K International and i wore my uniform to it!

the point of me wearing the uniform is that trek fans are NORMAL, and do participate in NORMAL things and community activities. most of the ppl that commented on the uniform was female ppl.... if there are any more questions about uniform wearing and me just ask!! and i will be posting more picts later...

anyone know were i can get a dress uniform cheep??

 

[Therin of Andor]

here is todays update... there was a service project for Circle K International and i wore my uniform to it!

Okay, this was some kind of community/charity event? 'Cos I've worn a Star Trek uniform to be an adult "Santa's helper" at children's charity picnics, and to school when the Book Week theme has had a futuristic element (one year it was "Book into the Future" and I wore a different costume each day of that week - I'm the school librarian). Once, at the request of a UK reporter doing a TV documentary about "Doctor Who" fandom, a group of us in Starfleet uniforms were selling refreshments to young "Doctor Who" fans.

For each of these events, if someone asked, "Why are you wearing a Star Trek costume today?" the answer becomes obvious. "Oh, of course!" is the usual (positive) response.

the point of me wearing the uniform is that trek fans are NORMAL, and do participate in NORMAL things and community activities.

But you can still dress in civvies and do normal activities. Star Trek fans wearing Starfleet uniforms as regular day wear is not what the general public would consider "normal".

That woman who wore her uniform for a day of US jury duty came off second best with the media and the general public because she really had no "normal" purpose for wearing it, apart from attention-seeking.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Exactly. Special activities like charity are one thing (kinda like what the 501st does). Costume parties and conventions are one thing. But just wearing your uniform to go to class or the story? NOT normal at all.

 

[Anji]

Dude, you put me to shame. 40+ years as a fan and I'd never have the guts to do it. You rule.

 

[Gangsta_Author]

Yeah, wearing a Starfleet uniform to evade Jury Duty is a really creepy thing to do. But I'm glad you & the rest of the posters here have had really uplifting experiences at Conventions, Costume Parties or in Science Class at school.

Sho: in my life, people (Women) tend to surprise me when my guard is down more than at any other time. I had one girl attract my attention by yelling at me, & ride up in the passenger seat of a car as I was putting things away at work, holding a card on a stick (out of a car window,) that said in bold-enough print that I could see it from a slight distance, "You're Cute!!!"

The down-side, as I tried to approach the car, the car sped off. I haven't seen the girl or the car since.

 

[blaXXer]

my connunity college

Demand a refund.

most of these ppl were female and one in perdictular got into star trek because of me.

here, too.

 

[Therin of Andor]

 

[Kirkman1987]

^

Nice ridges Therin! always enjoy your pics.

 

[Therin of Andor]

^

Nice ridges Therin! always enjoy your pics.

Thanks. I thought these two pics made a good contrast for the poster who asked why some costumes seemed better than others. That Klingon head appliance is the same one in both pics, taken only a few weeks apart, modeled to be a facsimile of Maltz (ST III). In the b/w newspaper article, the eyebrows hardly show up, the wig was too flattened at the sides and the flash washed out the main ridges. The colour pic had better lighting for the ridges and eye-liner.

 

[JustKate]

the point of me wearing the uniform is that trek fans are NORMAL, and do participate in NORMAL things and community activities. most of the ppl that commented on the uniform was female ppl.... if there are any more questions about uniform wearing and me just ask!! and i will be posting more picts later...

Yes, Sho, of course Trek fans are normal. Or at least they can be.

But that doesn't mean pretending to be in Star Trek officer on a regular, day-to-day basis is normal. Pretending to be anything on a regular, day-to-day basis is, in fact, not normal, and the fact that you're talking about Trek, something we all love, doesn't change that.

Let's look at another example, shall we? It's normal to like or even love a particular sports team - for the sake of convenience, let's say the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, since they are my favorite team (despite their inexplicable inability to decide what city they represent ). When dressed casually, it's normal to wear a jersey or T-shirt honoring the Angels and it would even be normal to wear on slightly dressier occasions a collared shirt that sports an Angels logo - just as it's perfectly normal on many occasions to wear shirts that indicate your interest in Trek.

But it's not normal to wear a full Angels uniform unless you're going to play baseball or you're going to an event where costumes are OK.

If it's not normal to wear a baseball uniform except on or around a baseball field or at an event at which costumes are appropriate, why would you want to think it's normal to wear a Star Trek uniform any place except where Star Trek uniforms are supposed to be worn - i.e., at conventions, at costume events, or on the bridge of the Enterprise?

I am not saying that you should fret about what other people think - that's not important, at least not to me. By all means, if you're going to a convention or to a Star Trek movie, wear a Trek uniform. What fun! If any non-Trek people you happen to meet on the way there or on the way home think you're cool or think you're nuts, that doesn't matter. Consider those public encounters part of the fun.

But I find it a little troubling that so many other posters seem to think this indicates a brave, bold move on your part because it doesn't strike me that way. If I see someone wearing a Star Trek uniform in a situation in which there is no ready explanation for its presence, such as at a community event at which no one else is wearing a costume, it strikes me as a way of saying "Pay attention to ME! To MEEEEE!" I'm sorry, I really don't want to offend you, but that is what it sounds like to me.

 

[Orcus]

the point of me wearing the uniform is that trek fans are NORMAL, and do participate in NORMAL things and community activities. most of the ppl that commented on the uniform was female ppl.... if there are any more questions about uniform wearing and me just ask!! and i will be posting more picts later...

Yes, Sho, of course Trek fans are normal. Or at least they can be.

But that doesn't mean pretending to be in Star Trek officer on a regular, day-to-day basis is normal. Pretending to be anything on a regular, day-to-day basis is, in fact, not normal, and the fact that you're talking about Trek, something we all love, doesn't change that.

Let's look at another example, shall we? It's normal to like or even love a particular sports team - for the sake of convenience, let's say the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, since they are my favorite team (despite their inexplicable inability to decide what city they represent ). When dressed casually, it's normal to wear a jersey or T-shirt honoring the Angels and it would even be normal to wear on slightly dressier occasions a collared shirt that sports an Angels logo - just as it's perfectly normal on many occasions to wear shirts that indicate your interest in Trek.

But it's not normal to wear a full Angels uniform unless you're going to play baseball or you're going to an event where costumes are OK.

If it's not normal to wear a baseball uniform except on or around a baseball field or at an event at which costumes are appropriate, why would you want to think it's normal to wear a Star Trek uniform any place except where Star Trek uniforms are supposed to be worn - i.e., at conventions, at costume events, or on the bridge of the Enterprise?

I am not saying that you should fret about what other people think - that's not important, at least not to me. By all means, if you're going to a convention or to a Star Trek movie, wear a Trek uniform. What fun! If any non-Trek people you happen to meet on the way there or on the way home think you're cool or think you're nuts, that doesn't matter. Consider those public encounters part of the fun.

But I find it a little troubling that so many other posters seem to think this indicates a brave, bold move on your part because it doesn't strike me that way. If I see someone wearing a Star Trek uniform in a situation in which there is no ready explanation for its presence, such as at a community event at which no one else is wearing a costume, it strikes me as a way of saying "Pay attention to ME! To MEEEEE!" I'm sorry, I really don't want to offend you, but that is what it sounds like to me.

A rather erudite post there...

 

[Joshua Howard]

My personal life reflects a professional edge. I am the sort that always wears a tie and often wears a suit. If there is any stereotype which could be readily applied to me, it would probably be relating to the fact that I am a Starbucks chronically regular customer. The business-centric lifestyle is what I live for.

I am a Star Trek fan. I don't have any uniforms, but I want to buy them. I would be very proud to dawn a nice Trek outfit and be seen wearing it publically. Would I make it a daily sort of thing? Probably not; but I firmly believe that there is nothing negative about doing so.

I know of people who take their opportunity on Casual dress days to wear Sports jerseys. I think that it looks unprofessional and should be left out of the workplace; but that is me, and I don't think that there is any reason in general why they should feel uncomfortable wearing something important to them.

Everybody has their own style. If I see a Star Trek fan dressed in full uniform downtown, I guarantee you I will stop that person to say hello, and it will probably be a high point of my day.

My usual style would be to wear something more along the lines of a lapel pin, or something else like that, but it is because of the fanatically devoted trek fans who travel to conventions, collect more than they should, and see the movies 15+ times in theatres that the franchise is alive, and this forum is alive, and Mr. Roddenberry's vision is still in production 43 years later.

I'm grateful for dedicated Trekkers/Trekkies, whether they are office workers, or steel workers, or live in their mother's basement. Let the hobby grow on you, around your lifestyle. Be as big a fan as you dare; but don't get yourself all in a knot if somebody else takes it a step further than you do.

We live in a world where folks sometimes feel that it is a minor crime to do things a little bit differently than the median group of average Joes and Janes. If we are so determined to blend in that we can't have a little fun, we might as well be dead.

My final opinion; Wear your uniform frequently and with pride!

 

[Leroy]

I know I defiantely wouldn't wear a starfleet uniform in public unless it was at a convention or Halloween.

 

[Cmdr Sho]

thanks to all whom have given input to me!!!

i do tend to dislike the opinions of ppl who talk about the "general public" seeing the uniform as not "normal". I just dont understand as to why this is.

if i came across someone who is like this, how would i expalin what i to them. i cant seem to get words to how i feel about this. the movie trekies explains this better..

 

[barnaclelapse]

I wore a TNG uniform shirt (red) when I was in elementary school.

Amazingly I was only beat up a couple of times.

 

[Praxius]

..... But it's not normal to wear a full Angels uniform unless you're going to play baseball or you're going to an event where costumes are OK.

If it's not normal to wear a baseball uniform except on or around a baseball field or at an event at which costumes are appropriate, why would you want to think it's normal to wear a Star Trek uniform any place except where Star Trek uniforms are supposed to be worn - i.e., at conventions, at costume events, or on the bridge of the Enterprise?

Based on your above logic, wearing a ST uniform or similar to a theatre where a ST movie is playing would be valid, which I believe was what was done in the original photos on Page 1.

It'd be the same as wearing a sports team's jersey at a sporting event as I see it.

I am not saying that you should fret about what other people think - that's not important, at least not to me. By all means, if you're going to a convention or to a Star Trek movie, wear a Trek uniform. What fun! If any non-Trek people you happen to meet on the way there or on the way home think you're cool or think you're nuts, that doesn't matter. Consider those public encounters part of the fun.

Never mind, you just pointed out Theatres.

But I find it a little troubling that so many other posters seem to think this indicates a brave, bold move on your part because it doesn't strike me that way.

Agreed.

Being brave or bold would be walking around town in just a thong.

If I see someone wearing a Star Trek uniform in a situation in which there is no ready explanation for its presence, such as at a community event at which no one else is wearing a costume, it strikes me as a way of saying "Pay attention to ME! To MEEEEE!" I'm sorry, I really don't want to offend you, but that is what it sounds like to me.

Also agreed.... I'd chalk it up to Emos and Goths who try to wear dark clothing and makeup to stand out as different.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to be different, but in the end, it doesn't really change anything except bring more attention to yourself, be that negative or positive..... so long as people are willing to face both positives and negatives for wanting to stand out, so be it.

But...... if you get more negative responses then you can cope with, then imo there's only one person at fault and only one person who can change it.

 

[Alpha Romeo]

thanks to all whom have given input to me!!!

i do tend to dislike the opinions of ppl who talk about the "general public" seeing the uniform as not "normal". I just dont understand as to why this is.

if i came across someone who is like this, how would i expalin what i to them. i cant seem to get words to how i feel about this. the movie trekies explains this better..

It's not normal to wear a uniform in public when you're not dressed up for a reason. How can you think it IS normal?

It's a lot different from wearing a sox or yankees jersey. That's an actual team, playing an actual game in real life. Star Trek is a TELEVISION show. It's nothing more. Sure, we enjoy watching it, but thats it.

Those girls that honked at you? Yea...mocking you.

 

[Praxius]

thanks to all whom have given input to me!!!

i do tend to dislike the opinions of ppl who talk about the "general public" seeing the uniform as not "normal". I just dont understand as to why this is.

My only explanation would be that it's not the common fashion trend most would see on a daily basis, and things being different tend to be also misunderstood or even feared in some cases.

As an example, try walking around downtown dressed in clothing from 1989-90 (ie: tight Edwin blue jeans, deck shoes, jean vest and a Vanilla Ice hairdo) and you'd get a similar response.

Superficial, yes, but it exists non the less.

 

[Praxius]

...... It's a lot different from wearing a sox or yankees jersey. That's an actual team, playing an actual game in real life. Star Trek is a TELEVISION show. It's nothing more. Sure, we enjoy watching it, but thats it......

Indeed, it wouldn't be any different then someone walking around downtown in a Storm Troopers outfit, as Frodo, or as Neo from the Matrix, etc.

 

[RapidNadion]

It's not normal to wear a uniform in public when you're not dressed up for a reason. How can you think it IS normal?

Beautifully answered by Joshua Howard:

We live in a world where folks sometimes feel that it is a minor crime to do things a little bit differently than the median group of average Joes and Janes. If we are so determined to blend in that we can't have a little fun, we might as well be dead.

]It's a lot different from wearing a sox or yankees jersey. That's an actual team, playing an actual game in real life. Star Trek is a TELEVISION show. It's nothing more. Sure, we enjoy watching it, but thats it.

Let me say that you have a lot of gall to presume to speak for every single fan of the franchise. Furthermore, I find it laughable that you can't see the inherent contradiction in defending "an actual team, playing an actual game in real life," while at the same time dismissing a television show as some lesser form of entertainment. As you said yourself ... the people wearing Sox or Yankees jerseys are adorning themselves with those paraphernalia in support of a GAME. The fact that it's more socially acceptable doesn't make it any less absurd.

(I should note, though, that the point another poster made about sports fans wearing only jerseys, as opposed to full uniforms, in public is well-taken.)

Those girls that honked at you? Yea...mocking you.

You know, while that may be true, it's a damn cold-blooded thing to say.