Pretty much everything about TMP was a subject of constant fan critique for decades. But there were always a few who disagreed with the conventional wisdom. I remember reading Usenet posts praising TMP costumes in the mid-to-late '90s. There's a lot to appreciate in Fletcher's STTMP work, and without other evidence I see no reason to assume that someone who expresses that point of view is insincere and just out to get a reaction.
The built-in shoes were unnecessary for sure, that was just a wacky idea that greatly complicated the costume work but was barely noticeable onscreen. I had no idea that's what they were till I read it in a book. It just looked like matching-colored shoes with an odd folded bottom of the pant legs.
I like the idea that the sleeve stripes were the "baseline" rank insignia and the shoulder tabs were a secondary means used when the full stripes were not practical, like naval officer shoulder boards of today. Kirk's dress uniform did have sleeve and shoulder rank both, though. Combining rank and division color in one place was a nifty idea IMO.
I agree about the lack of collars on the "Class A." Kirk's admiral rig and Spock's standard uniform looked better with that bit of collar standing up. And the field jacket definitely needed a collar, you can't keep warm with your neck exposed like that. I also don't care for the untucked shirttail line on the bottom of the standard uniforms. Not crazy about the belt buckle, either. But overall, I still say it's the strongest Trek wardrobe ever.
