A LACK OF UNIFORMITY
There are many
people in fandom who own a Star Trek costume, and they have, no doubt, long
since discovered some of the more impractical aspects of these clothes. Things
like the lack of pockets for one, the different types of material used (most
being quite unsuitable in a colder environment) for another, and more
specifically the style and fit, which can either be complementary or
embarrassing to one's physique.
In this three
part article, we shall delve a little deeper and take a look at how the Star
Trek uniform compares to those used today. After all.
Is it the kind of thing people will actually wear three hundred years from now?
CLASSIC TREK
The Classic Trek
uniform, now over 25 years old, isn't as dated as you would first think. The. basic design of being in two parts (tunic and trousers
for the male) is a very practical and logical one, enabling him to change into
and out of it without hindrance, also allowing him to toilet without the need
of having to undress completely. This might not sound like, any big revelation,
but you would be surprised how many other Sci-Fi costumes do not take these
simple factors into consideration.
The female skirt
uniform though, is another matter. I imagine there are many women who find this
piece of clothing rather sexist and would refuse to wear something so skimpy.
If a woman has a. complex about the look of her legs, then this could make her
feel very uncomfortable, which would not help with her morale. (ironically in the films, the skirt length actually
increased) Since many women in the military services today have the option of
wearing either a skirt or trousers, this choice should also apply to the
Starfleet uniform. It is unclear why it was made so short in the first place.
Maybe it reflected the female mini-skirt dress sense of the 1960's? One thing
is for sure, however, you won't find any woman in the services today wearing
something so 'revealing'. It maybe a sexist comment to add that it would be a
distraction to the men, the trouble is though, it would.
The use of
alternate colours for the different departments of the Starfleet uniform is a
good one, as is the variation of the chest insignia. It provides some variety
to the uniform, even if it does make them look 'pretty', something modern day
military organisations do not concern themselves with. Also, having the stripes
of an officer displayed on the lower sleeves is unwise, distinguishing
someone's rank could be difficult if their arms are moving about (it is
interesting to note though, that the Classic Trek uniform is the only one with
the rank worn in this position). However, the contrast of
their striking gold colour, sort of makes up for this problem.
One thing that
does cause some concern, is the type of material the
uniform is made of. Although the temperatures on a starship
are no doubt very comfortable, the surface of many planets
are not. The cloth used in these garments would offer no protection to
the individual at all (funny enough though, nearly all the planets visited in
the show always seemed to be places with very moderate climates}. Maybe that
was deliberate on the part of the writers, to save money in the costuming
department budget by not having to design and make some sort of special landing
party gear. It is something that should have been looked into though, if only
to prove that they were aware of the potential hazards of beaming people down
to remote planets without any protective clothing.
One thing worth mentioning, is the absence of a gun holster. In Star Trek, phasors simply 'stick' to the uniforms (yet careful viewing
will show that communicators are attached to a brown belt hidden under the
tunic, which seems to be only carried on the landing parties). The concept of a
gun just attaching itself to something is a dicey one. It would be subject to
easy theft, being accidentally knocked off or discharging without being drawn.
All of these views would suggest that a holster to be the logical solution.
Clearly the costume designers tried to make the uniform look futuristic by
omitting any need for a holster. The sticking gun is cute, but is not a good
idea, and certainly not very safe.
There is one
important element of the Starfleet uniform that does not get looked at
properly, and that is the dress uniform. For hundreds of years, this particular
item of clothing has always had the most splendor
about it. Its very title suggesting a particular air of prestige surrounds it.
Traditionally, these uniforms have been adorned with brass buttons, sashes or
lanyards, various decorations the wearer would have accumulated over his
career, and often complemented with a sword. Symbolizing the pride the officer
has for his service and country. Star Trek dress uniforms, as seen in a couple
of episodes are abysmal. They lack any feeling of prestige and honour. Surely
someone with the career history of Captain Kirk, would
deserve something more magnificent. Right through Star Trek's history, has this
lack of sensitivity been apparent. I for one, do not
believe that all the values associated with these uniforms will change in the
future. Admittedly though, the Classic series dress uniforms did at least have
some sparkle in them by the choice of cloth used, but all of the Glamour and
detailing was noticeably absent. Which I feel was bad judgment on the part of
the creators. Perhaps, as suggested earlier, the budget of the show did not
allow the making of such a garment. Which was a real shame, if that being the case.
As Science Fiction
TV shows go, the Star Trek Classic uniform is neither the
best or worst of what's around. It is practical and well thought out,
yet could've done with some extra work making it more interesting to look at.
As a garment to be worn on comfortable federation starships
though, it serves its purpose well and should not be looked upon as being
completely outdated.
D. Maxwell