Memory Alpha
Register
Advertisement
Memory Alpha
Starfleet uniforms in 2371

Starfleet uniforms in 2371, showing two separate styles in use at once

Picard and Wesley, 2365

A provisional officer's uniform alongside a standard duty uniform

For the mirror universe counterpart, please see Starfleet uniform (mirror).
"I've always known the risks that come with a Starfleet uniform. If I'm to die in one, I'd like my death to count for something."
– Tasha Yar, 2366 ("Yesterday's Enterprise")

Starfleet uniforms were uniforms worn by individuals serving in the Federation Starfleet, originally a United Earth organization. These uniforms facilitated the wearers' needs as both scientists and researchers, as well as Starfleet's military role. The uniform and combadge used by Starfleet personnel may vary by the ship or facility they were assigned to, or the officer's rank or department. These were often retained even when visiting other Federation locations. (TNG: "The Child"; DS9: "Homefront", "Tears of the Prophets"; LD: "We'll Always Have Tom Paris", "Kayshon, His Eyes Open"; DIS: "Saints of Imperfection")

Casual duty attire also allowed for considerable variation of uniform aboard a Starfleet vessel, though it was ultimately up to the captain's discretion. Wearers were expected to abide by the Starfleet dress code, though special exceptions were sometimes made for certain aspects of an individual's cultural heritage, such as Worf's Klingon baldric, Nog's Ferengi headdress, and the earrings of Ro Laren, Kira Nerys, and Shaxs. (VOY: "Learning Curve", et al.) According to Elim Garak, "I think Starfleet should allow their officers more latitude in accessorizing their uniforms. You'd be surprised what a nice scarf can do." (DS9: "Broken Link")

On two occasions, the term "Federation uniform" was used to describe Starfleet uniforms.

In 2369, the Bajoran civilian Mullibok, who was being evicted from his home, asked Commander Benjamin Sisko how many Federation uniforms he planned on sending down to have him removed. (DS9: "Progress")

In 2372, Chakotay referred to his as a Federation uniform as he explained to Kar how it was like the Jal name that the Kazon earned. Chakotay told him that his uniform was earned through "years of study", and "learning about science and ships and navigation," adding too, that he was further taught to be "[..] prepared us to defend ourselves in battle. They prepared us very well. And we had to pass many difficult tests before we were given the right to wear the uniform." (VOY: "Initiations")

Divisions[]

Starfleet uniforms were classified by color among the command, sciences, and operations divisions. Occasionally, the uniforms were also broken down by department, while displaying rank insignia conspicuously. The color scheme had varied over time throughout Starfleet history, but the uniforms were designed for comfort even in the most extreme environments. (DS9: "Trials and Tribble-ations", "Let He Who Is Without Sin...")

Command[]

The command division was the head of Starfleet, with most of the ranking officers in Starfleet Command wearing these colors. Generally, this division was responsible for the administration of starships, starbases, and space stations.

Starfleet uniform command division colors:
2140s-Early 2160s Mid 2160s 2230s Late 2230s-2250s
Command Command Command Command Command
2250s-Early 2270s Mid 2270s Late 2270s-2350s 2350s-2370s
Command Command duty Command Command Command
Command dress
Late 2360s-Early 2370s 2370s Early 2380s Mid 2380s Late 2390s-Early 2400s
Command Command Command Command Command
Late 2800s Late 3180s Early 3190s
Command Command Command

Operations[]

The operations division was the backbone of Starfleet, encompassing the engineering, security, and support departments. This division was responsible for technological innovation and for maintaining and defending the Federation.

Starfleet uniform operations division colors:
2140s-Early 2160s Mid 2160s 2230s Late 2230s-2250s
Operations Operations Operations Operations Operations
2250s-Early 2270s Mid 2270s Late 2270s-2350s 2350s-2370s
Operations Operations Engineering and Maintenance Operations Operations
Operations
Late 2360s-Early 2370s 2370s Early 2380s Mid 2380s Late 2390s-Early 2400s
Operations Operations Operations Operations Operations
Late 2800s Late 3180s Early 3190s
Operations Operations Operations

Sciences[]

The sciences division was the heart of Starfleet, composed of the exploratory, medical, and mental health departments.

Starfleet uniform sciences division colors:
2140s-Early 2160s Mid 2160s 2230s Late 2230s-2250s
Sciences Sciences Sciences Sciences Sciences
Medical Medical
2250s-Early 2270s Mid 2270s Late 2270s-2350s 2350s-2370s
Sciences Sciences Sciences Sciences Sciences
Medical Medical Medical
Late 2360s-Early 2370s 2370s Early 2380s Mid 2380s Late 2390s-Early 2400s
Sciences Sciences Sciences Sciences Sciences
Late 2800s Late 3180s Early 3190s
Sciences Sciences Sciences
Medical Medical

Uniform styles[]

Unknown eras[]

These Starfleet uniforms were introduced between the 24th and 31st centuries.

Type #1 []

Transporter Facility ops chief, photo

A female officer in an unknown uniform

This uniform was worn by an operations division officer, as seen in a photo within the Transporter Facility maintained by Chief Petty Officer Carlton Dennis. (LD: "Grounded")

Type #2 []

Tal host, junior officer

A female junior officer in a uniform from an unknown era

This uniform was worn by one of Tal's hosts. (DIS: "Forget Me Not")

Type #3 []

Khi'eth Starfleet Lieutenant Holo

A holographic representation of a female lieutenant

This uniform was worn by officers in an unknown era. (DIS: "Su'Kal")

Type #4 []

Kelpien and Ba'ul Alliance joining the Federation

Holographic representations of officers in uniforms from an unknown era

This uniform was worn by the delegation welcoming the Kelpien and Ba'ul Alliance into the Federation. (DIS: "Su'Kal")

In the 23rd century, similar uniforms had been in use as cadet outfits. (DIS: "Through the Valley of Shadows")

Uniform variations[]

Deanna Troi, casual attire

Troi in her casual attire

Some officers wore alternate uniforms. Deanna Troi often wore casual clothing while on duty, and T'Pol retained her original Vulcan uniform with a few concessions to her Starfleet rank and ship assignment. Other officers, such as Worf, Montgomery Scott, and Ro Laren, were allowed to wear accessories relating to their culture with their uniforms, but this was at the discretion of the captain. Uniforms were also altered to accommodate non-humanoid officers, such as the three-armed, three-legged uniform of the Edosian Arex, and the uniforms for beluga whales Kimolu and Matt. (ENT: "Borderland"; Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan; TNG: "Ensign Ro"; TAS: "Mudd's Passion"; LD: "First First Contact")

Uniforms were also adapted to environmental or atmospheric conditions. When exploring the planet Tyree, Benjamin Sisko and colleagues wore long, flowing gown uniforms to deal with the sand. They featured a colored stripe to represent departments. (DS9: "Shadows and Symbols")

Dress uniforms[]

Worf dress sash

Worf wearing his dress uniform with a Klingon ceremonial sash

Dress uniforms were a variant of the standard Starfleet uniforms worn for special occasions, such as weddings, courts martial, funerals, and the greeting of ambassadorial delegations and heads of state. (TOS: "Court Martial", "Journey to Babel"; TNG: "Lonely Among Us", "Manhunt", "Data's Day"; DS9: "Move Along Home", "Rules of Engagement"; VOY: "Course: Oblivion", "One Small Step", "Ashes to Ashes"; Star Trek: Insurrection)

A pair of dress uniform boots worn by Patrick Stewart was sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay. The pair shows that the legs were completely covered and the boots were kept on by a harness. [1]

Appendices[]

Background information[]

Patrick Stewart's character of Jean-Luc Picard has appeared in more styles of Starfleet uniform than any other character on screen without story contrivances (like time travel, holodecks, or alternate timelines) being involved.

For most of Star Trek's history, Starfleet uniforms have had at least three division colors. Some characters have worn different division colors in different episodes. Leslie, Jae, Tom Paris, Harry Kim, and Sylvia Tilly have each been shown wearing three colors at different points (including, for Paris and Kim, alternate timelines and holodeck scenarios); however, the first character to wear all three division colors in one episode was Ensign Sam Rutherford, who wore operations gold, command red, and medical blue in LD: "Envoys".

Design[]

The Starfleet uniforms worn during Star Trek: The Original Series were designed by William Ware Theiss, who returned to design the Star Trek: The Next Generation uniforms (which were further adapted into future versions on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and the TNG-era films by Robert Blackman). Robert Fletcher designed the uniforms seen throughout the original series movies, with later new designs provided by Nilo Rodis.

Robert Blackman also designed uniforms worn on Star Trek: Enterprise, a design representing a precursor to those seen in TOS. The uniforms seen in Star Trek: Discovery were designed by Gersha Phillips. The uniforms in Star Trek: Picard were designed by Christine Clark.

Michael Kaplan designed the uniforms seen in Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness, and Sanja Hays designed the uniforms for Star Trek Beyond.

As shown in the It's A Wrap! sale and auction, a number of Starfleet uniforms have had padding to increase muscular appearance. Such cases include two costumes for Tom Paris, one racquetball costume for Julian Bashir, and a Deep Space Nine costume for Worf, to create a more Klingon appearance. According to Wil Wheaton, all the main cast members wore muscle padding during the first two seasons of The Next Generation, mainly because of the tight-fitting nature of the spandex uniforms used in these two seasons. [2]

Several prototype uniform undershirts to those seen in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan on were sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay. [3]

Ambiguous uniform[]

Human Elysian Councilor

Female on the Elysian Council

A Human female seen as a member of the Elysian Council in "The Time Trap" wore a uniform of ambiguous origin. It was described in the Star Trek Concordance as "a white suit with blue collar and an insignia on the left breast," and was suggested to "possibly [be] an early Star Fleet [sic] uniform". While it is known that the Bonaventure, and possibly other Earth/Federation ships, were lost in the years prior to 2269, it is unclear if this is indeed a Starfleet uniform, and, if so, from which era it originated.

External links[]

Advertisement