Why Starfleet changes uniform styles so bloody often

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I have a theory:

It's kind of like undercover cops and the "color of the day" (so they can identify each other).

In Starfleet's case, it's to make it just that much harder for enemy infiltrators. If they don't have the latest info on Starfleet's current uniform style - and many don't - they won't know what Starfleet uniforms currently look like.

Thoughts? I realize I'm reaching here but it's the only explanation I can find as to why Starfleet uniforms change so damn much.

 

[BillJ]

Each Starfleet Commander tries to put their own stamp on the organization.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Because fashion!

The fact the movie maroons were around for a good seven decades does sort of derail your point though.

 

[ChallengerHK]

They change uniforms every time they change Klingons. It's written into the contract.

 

[Sci]

I think it's just a conceit we have to accept that has no good explanation.

 

[Tim Thomason]

It's been theorized as a defense (or aide) against time travellers. If uniforms only last a couple years at most, you quickly get a sense of what era you're in or from.

 

[USS Excelsior]

The shortest time for a uniform was the TMP uniforms followed by FC uniforms, and then Star Trek online uniforms.

 

[JesterFace]

New uniforms create new stuff to sell, actionfigures and all that.

 

[Tim Thomason]

New uniforms create new stuff to sell, actionfigures and all that.

This is an interesting theory, but it does bring a lot of questions. Like: Why is Starfleet even selling action figures? Surely, they are a military, not a for-profit corporation. Does the cost of producing the uniforms (which should be negligible across the whole fleet, given replicator technology) outweigh the profits from producing action figures?

 

[ChallengerHK]

:Why is Starfleet even selling action figures?

Public relations

 

[Tim Thomason]

Public relations

I guess that would make sense. After the Dominion War and the attacks on the Maquis, Starfleet probably has a bad reputation these days.

 

[fireproof78]

This is an interesting theory, but it does bring a lot of questions. Like: Why is Starfleet even selling action figures? Surely, they are a military, not a for-profit corporation. Does the cost of producing the uniforms (which should be negligible across the whole fleet, given replicator technology) outweigh the profits from producing action figures?

I would say its more of a branding type thing, encouraging people to participate in the Fleet's activities and showcase their mission.

And, honestly, with replicator technology, why not? Why not have fun with it, showcase their different crewmembers and styles. Inspire a younger generation.

As for the OP, I always took it as a reflection of Chief of Starfleet Operations and their mission statements. They have allowed more flexibility within different commands, i.e. station commands vs. ships, but the general style would be reflective of what leadership wanted their status to be.

 

[F. King Daniel]

Every captain has the uniform making app from Star Trek Online and gets to choose whatever costume they want.

 

[Beckerjr]

I think it's just a conceit we have to accept that has no good explanation.

It has a simple explanation. Jut none that is apart of any "lore" or "canon" that will suffice hardcore trekkies. Different people work on the shows over the years and they each do their take on it. Just they way it is.

 

[Sci]

It has a simple explanation. Jut none that is apart of any "lore" or "canon" that will suffice hardcore trekkies. Different people work on the shows over the years and they each do their take on it. Just they way it is.

Pardon me -- no good in-universe explanation.

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

Every captain has the uniform making app from Star Trek Online and gets to choose whatever costume they want.

That's an issue I have with STO, it works for "In Game Purposes", but it makes no sense logically.

The purpose of a "Uniform" is to easily identify that we're all in the same organization.

If everybody has something drastically different, it's not very "Uniform".

 

[Sgt_G]

Each Starfleet Commander tries to put their own stamp on the organization.

Pretty much how it is in the real military, too. Anyone who was in the USAF in the early 90's will remember (and want to forget) the uniforms General McPeak tried to implement.

 

[Imaus]

Well now current Trek seems to be that uniforms were sort of per-ship or sort of ad hoc, BUT

Back in TNG when the USS Bozeman nearly hit the USS Enterprise, the Bozeman didn't ask any questions about the uniforms, the weird bridge, or even the name Enterprise (and the Ent in 2278 would be already refitted and still the Connie so I dunno why that didn't bring up a immediate counterstatement).

Honestly the uniforms always felt a bit odd and lacking in capability but that's just me.

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

My main issues were the lack of pockets with zippers or other fasteners on them.

But a good uniform should last a very long time like the red ones from the ST Movies.

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Starfleet_uniform_(late_2270s-2350s)

 

[F. King Daniel]

My main issues were the lack of pockets with zippers or other fasteners on them.

But a good uniform should last a very long time like the red ones from the ST Movies.

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Starfleet_uniform_(late_2270s-2350s)

Yeah but it only lasted that long because it was cheaper to barely modify existing costumes than it was to make new ones.

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

Yeah but it only lasted that long because it was cheaper to barely modify existing costumes than it was to make new ones.

Isn't that good for your costuming budget?

Plus it shows "In-Universe" that StarFleet can stick to a set of Uniforms and be consistent with it for ~70 years.