# Star Trek uniform question
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [May 4, 2006, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386 "2006-05-04T14:30:32Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/1 "2006-05-04T14:30:32Z")
In this MPSIMS thread concerning women tugging their too-short shirts, **CalMeacham** cracked me up with his suggestion that they wanted to be Jean Luc Picard. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=369545&page=2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=369545&page=2)
Which got me wondering - why DID they design Next Gen uniforms so that they were tugging at their shirts everytime they stood up?
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### Author:  [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/2 "2006-05-04T14:32:16Z")
I once heard William Frankes describe that as ‘The Picard Manuver’. He implied that Patrick Stewart started it for whatever reason and the rest picked it up from him as a conscious mannerism.
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### Author:  [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/3 "2006-05-04T14:36:43Z")
Indeed, Picard was able to destroy a Ferengi ship with The Picard Maneuver. He tugged at his uniform, and the Ferengi became so busy wondering why Starfleet would issue such ill-fitting uniforms that they forgot to fire their weapons.
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### Author:  [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/4 "2006-05-04T14:40:42Z")
The material didn’t stretch, and tended to ‘bunch up’ in the front when the actors sat down. That’s why they tug at them when they stand back up. You notice it more in Picard because he sits and stands more often than the others, who stand more of the time.
As far as WHY they designed them that way - I don’t think it was on purpose. They wanted costumes that were not too expensive and could be used over and over again, with less thought to what was most comfortable or practical for the wearer.
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### Author:  [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/5 "2006-05-04T14:43:05Z")
At least the female characters weren’t picking miniskirts out of their rear-ends.
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### Author:  [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/6 "2006-05-04T16:18:02Z")
> [@Hung Mung](#):
>
> At least the female characters weren’t picking miniskirts out of their rear-ends.
Ummm…did you see some of the first season episodes? Not only did they have those miniskirts (Troi wore one for a while), but some of the **men** wore them, too! :eek:
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### Author:  [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/7 "2006-05-04T16:22:55Z")
> [@Skammer](#):
>
> The material didn’t stretch, and tended to ‘bunch up’ in the front when the actors sat down. That’s why they tug at them when they stand back up. You notice it more in Picard because he sits and stands more often than the others, who stand more of the time.
>
> As far as WHY they designed them that way - I don’t think it was on purpose. They wanted costumes that were not too expensive and could be used over and over again, with less thought to what was most comfortable or practical for the wearer.
I seem to remember an interview with Patrick Stewart where he stated that the first season TNG costumes caused back problems for the cast because the tight material compressed their spines?
So I guess the mark 2 uniforms would have been considerably more comfortable.
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### Author:  [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/8 "2006-05-04T17:23:52Z")
> [@Szlater](#):
>
> I seem to remember an interview with Patrick Stewart where he stated that the first season TNG costumes caused back problems for the cast because the tight material compressed their spines?
>
> So I guess the mark 2 uniforms would have been considerably more comfortable.
Right. The jumpsuits seemed to create too many problems. On the Arsenio Hall Show, Stewart said also “they would ride up and become too tight in spots that would threaten my newfound status as sex symbol”.
It’s very simple really: In real-life, you can look sharp, or be comfortable.
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### Author:  [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/9 "2006-05-04T17:34:27Z")
Plus, a tight-fitting suit fits fewer people, and they needed to build up a wardrobe of loaner uniforms.
Side note: Patrick Stewart was at a SF con once doing Q&A. Somebody asked him how much the new uniforms cost to make, and he said he didn’t know, so he turned to one of the production staff who was also there and was told they cost $3,000 apiece. He was aghast at the idea that when he has his senior staff with him, that’s $15,000 worth of costumes.
I assume that subsequent versions costs less…
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### Author:  [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/10 "2006-05-04T18:25:14Z")
> [@bouv](#):
>
> Not only did they have those miniskirts (Troi wore one for a while), but some of the **men** wore them, too! :eek:
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen all the episodes, but I’ve never once seen one of the guys wearing a miniskirt. Perhaps you can post a link to a pic?
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/11 "2006-05-04T18:25:59Z")
They are in the background in a scene or two of “Encounter At Farpoint.”
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/12 "2006-05-04T18:27:52Z")
Oops. See [here](http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Starfleet_uniform_(2350s-2366)) for details.
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### Author:  [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/13 "2006-05-04T19:26:59Z")
Thanks, all.
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### Author:  [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/14 "2006-05-04T19:33:54Z")
> [@bouv](#):
>
> Ummm…did you see some of the first season episodes? Not only did they have those miniskirts (Troi wore one for a while), but some of the **men** wore them, too! :eek:
Not for long, though. The network wouldn’t let Roddenberry get away with anything that even suggests homosexuality still exists in the 24th Century. Discussed in this thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=368076](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=368076)
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### Author:  [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2006, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/15 "2006-05-04T22:27:13Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#):
>
> Not for long, though. The network wouldn’t let Roddenberry get away with anything that even suggests homosexuality still exists in the 24th Century. Discussed in this thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=368076](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=368076)
In Starfleet, Rear-Admiral is only a rank, not a privilege.
I’d forgotten all about those early miniskirts. I stand corrected.
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### Author:  [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2006, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/16 "2006-05-05T04:56:52Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Oops. See here for details.
Sweet merciful Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan! It looks like he pissed off a producer or something.
“You want to be in Star Trek? Fine. Put this on.”
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### Author:  [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2006, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/17 "2006-05-05T05:20:45Z")
Heck, Picard didn’t invent the thing. Spock does the exact same move in _Star Trek II_ after he struggles to his feet, lethally poisoned by irradiation. It’s of some significance because it shows that even at the brink of death, Spock maintains his dignity. Probably also Leonard Nimoy had had to shoot the scene over and over and his costume was bunching up.
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### Author:  [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2006, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/18 "2006-05-05T14:36:40Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#):
>
> Not for long, though. The network wouldn’t let Roddenberry get away with anything that even suggests homosexuality still exists in the 24th Century. Discussed in this thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=368076](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=368076)
Well, not unless it’s hot women making out. Which is okay. Especially if one of them is evil. And hot. Did I mention that part?
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### Author:  [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2006, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/19 "2006-05-05T14:50:12Z")
What, the hotness? Yeah. I think you did.
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### Author:  [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2006, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-uniform-question/355386/20 "2006-05-05T15:47:06Z")
This thread stirred a memory. I seem to recall that the uniforms worn by the US spaceship in “FORBIDDEN PLANET” were the same as were seen in “THE TIME MAINE”-and on several episodes of the “TWILIGHT ZONE”. sOI, DO MOST STUDIOS SHARE COSTUMES? ITS FUN TO SPECULATE ON WHAT PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE MIGHT WEAR-MY PERSONAL preference would be to find 23rd-century humans dressing like the styles of ca 1890 or so. I certainly don’t think that our SCI-Fi future includes togas and capes (like in “THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME”). i just like the idea that future people migh revive styles of the past. Actually, wouldn’t star fleet duty dictate a pretty informal standard of dress? probably like serving on a submarine-coveralls with small badges of rank. 😕
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