In the early 2350s (until the 2360s), the Starfleet uniform was completely redesigned. Closer in appearance to those in service during the 2260s, the new Starfleet uniform spawned several variants and inspired versions yet to come.
The next major redesign came in 2366 and 2369.
Standard duty uniform
Jumpsuit
Introduced as early as 2353, the standard Starfleet duty uniform in use aboard Federation Starfleet starships, at starbases and at Starfleet Headquarters on Earth consisted of form-fitting jumpsuits, primarily black in color, but prominently displaying the wearers' division of service.
Shown in the form of color-coding at the chest, back and sleeves, as well as in piping along the shoulders, collar and pant cuffs; Starfleet divisions were displayed in the following code:
Worn with a Starfleet insignia-shaped combadge on the left breast, this uniform also displayed rank insignia – in the form of round pips – below the collar on the right side.
Closing at the front, the Starfleet uniform was adaptable for away team missions, including areas to attach phasers, tricorders or other equipment. While most officers wore the single-piece duty uniform jumpsuit, several variants were available, including a two-piece style uniform, featuring a long tunic (worn by individuals including Dr. Katherine Pulaski). A "skant" variant was also available.
While an updated version of this uniform was introduced in 2366, the 2350s variation remained in service, usually for lower-ranking personnel. This 2350s uniform disappeared from common use between 2367 and 2370. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint", "The Child", "Shades of Gray", "Suddenly Human", "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II", and more; ENT: "These Are the Voyages...")
Skant
A command division skant-type uniform
Introduced alongside the standard duty uniform jumpsuit, a skirt or "skant"-style uniform was also available to Federation Starfleet officers as early as 2364.
Consisting of a design similar to its jumpsuit counterpart, the skant uniform was a short-sleeved uniform, with a skirt, generally worn without trousers. It was worn by both genders – though men tended to wear shorter boots – until it was phased out of service, in favor of the unisex jumpsuit, some time before 2365. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint", "Where No One Has Gone Before", "Coming of Age", "The Child", "The Outrageous Okona", and more)
Flag officer uniform
Type A
Command wine-red
Available to Starfleet admirals and other higher-ranking flag officers as early as 2364, one uniform variant featured a design distinguishing it from the standard duty uniform.
Consisting of a short, burgundy and black tunic, with black trousers, this uniform featured gold braid at the yoke, shoulders and collar. It was also marked by a distinct wedge of black material extending from the right shoulder down to the left waist. (TNG: "Too Short a Season", "Coming of Age", "Conspiracy")
Type B
Command wine-red
As early as 2365, yet another admiral's service uniform was available. Consisting of a short tunic top, with gold braid and yoke piping, the uniform was worn with black trousers.
The uniform rank insignia was displayed as a box-shaped insignia with pips inside, on either side of a high collar. (TNG: "The Emissary", "The Measure Of A Man")
- As seen in The Emissary, this uniform could be worn without the Starfleet insignia combadge.
Dress uniform
Command wine-red and Operations mustard-gold
In the 2360s, Starfleet personnel were issued a standard dress uniform that had a long wraparound tunic top worn with black leggings. An officer's standard rank insignia were not worn, instead a band of gold braid ran the entire length of the jacket closure. (TNG: "Lonely Among Us", "Manhunt")
Q's version of a Starfleet admiral's dress uniform
An Admiral's version of this uniform also existed, which was worn in the same style except for the gold braid which was much thicker. Q once wore this uniform upon his second encounter with the crew of the USS Enterprise. (TNG: "Hide and Q")
Utility uniform
An example of a sciences blue utility jumpsuit
The mid-24th century uniform issue included a utility jumpsuit for technical personnel. The jumpsuit, in the three standard department colors, was sometimes worn over a black turtleneck, although some versions had a short black collar built in. Another variation had division-color boots and black sleeves. (TNG: "The Naked Now", "Datalore", "11001001", "Coming of Age", "The Neutral Zone", and more)
Provisional uniform
The provisional uniform was worn by crewmen such as acting ensigns. There have been two variations of this uniform; the first had a light grey turtleneck tunic with a dark grey shoulders and collar bordered with the colors of all three divisions and black pants. The second variation was a darker shade of overall grey with ribbed shoulders and turtleneck collar, and continued to be used after the next major redesign in 2366.
The first variation was worn with no combadge; the second worn with an entirely silver-colored combadge.
Medical attire
Medical attire to fit in to the Sciences division department.
Other uniform features
Some officers wore alternate uniforms at times. Deanna Troi often wore casual clothing while on duty. Other officers, such as Worf, were allowed to wear accessories relating to their culture with their uniforms, but this was at the discretion of the captain. (TNG: "Ensign Ro", "Chain of Command, Part I") Benzite officer Mendon, participating in the Officer Exchange Program wore a uniform variant with a more built-up collar. It is unknown if this was in some way related to the breathing apparatus attached to his chest.
Rank insignia
The rank insignia was also simplified from differently-shaped symbols to smaller circular pips, either in gold or black (to signify partial rank).
| Starfleet uniform styles | |
|---|---|
| By era: | 2140s-Early 2160s • Mid 2160s • 2230s • Late 2230s-2250s • 2250s-Early 2270s • Mid 2270s • Late 2270s-2350s • 2350s-2370s • Late 2360s-Early 2370s • 2370s-Early 2380s • Early 2380s • Mid 2380s • Late 2390s • Early 2400s • 29th century • 32nd century |
| By type: | Casual duty attire • Alternate & parallel uniforms • Alternate reality uniforms • Fictional uniforms • Terran Empire uniforms |
| Related topics: | Assignment patch • MACO uniform and equipment • Starfleet decorations • Starfleet insignia • Starfleet ranks • Terran Empire ranks • Uniform |
Background
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 DS9, VOY and the TNG-era films by Robert Blackman).
Patrick Stewart claimed that the change from this Starfleet uniform to the new version after the second season of TNG was thanks to his chiropractor, who recommended Stewart sue Paramount for "lasting damage done to [his] spine." Evidently, the producers wanted to have a smooth, unwrinkled look to the Starfleet uniforms, which put strain on Stewart's shoulders, neck and back after two seasons in a lycra costume that was one size too small. [1]
Among the costumes and uniforms which were sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay, was an operations division uniform from this era. [2]