Poll What do you think of the Starfleet uniforms in Star Trek: Picard?

[Datasbeard]

STO has the Picard uniforms now, and that pip represents a 1-Pip admiral in the game.

Got it. That's the part I was missing, as I'm not an STO player. Then, indeed, it seems pretty clear that that's what it will be in the show as well, since presumably they got this from the producers themselves. Very odd that the uniform is not otherwise distinguished in any way, as it always has been. Also odd that the admiral we see talking to Picard does have a different uniform, though she is a Fleet Admiral, so perhaps the distinction in uniforms is only made at higher ranks.

 

[fireproof78]

Got it. That's the part I was missing, as I'm not an STO player. Then, indeed, it seems pretty clear that that's what it will be in the show as well, since presumably they got this from the producers themselves. Very odd that the uniform is not otherwise distinguished in any way, as it always has been. Also odd that the admiral we see talking to Picard does have a different uniform, though she is a Fleet Admiral, so perhaps the distinction in uniforms is only made at higher ranks.

It has varied greatly across Trek as to how distinct admirals uniforms are. TOS had no distinction aside from rank stripes. TMP and TNG definitely had that distinction, while the Monster Maroons only had a distinction of an additional single stripe across the flap, and the rank insignia. Admiral Ross' uniform had just a belt with the gray uniform, I believe. That one I might have wrong.

 

[Datasbeard]

It has varied greatly across Trek as to how distinct admirals uniforms are. TOS had no distinction aside from rank stripes. TMP and TNG definitely had that distinction, while the Monster Maroons only had a distinction of an additional single stripe across the flap, and the rank insignia. Admiral Ross' uniform had just a belt with the gray uniform, I believe. That one I might have wrong.

All TNG and later admirals' uniforms were fairly distinctive, including the gray ones from Nemesis and onwards. The gray ones featured a zipper down the front, in addition to the oversized belt buckle, so they were easily recognizable. On the other hand, in STP it could in principle be difficult to tell apart a 1-pip admiral from an ensign across a room. Not quite as bad as telling apart ranks on DIS, but still. That's my only gripe, though, as I really like the STP uniforms otherwise (unlike the DIS uniforms).

 

[fireproof78]

The gray ones featured a zipper down the front

I thought that was a general feature of the gray ones.

 

[Datasbeard]

The regular gray uniforms were very much like the DS9 jumpsuits, only with gray shoulders, a colored tunic, and seemingly made of a thicker, more expensive-looking material. The collar may have been zippable, that I don't know.

The admiral uniform of the era, however, had a very prominent zipper down the front, along with the big belt buckle with th UFP seal on it. There's no mistaking this admiral for an ensign.

 

[fireproof78]

The regular gray uniforms were very much like the DS9 jumpsuits, only with gray shoulders, a colored tunic, and seemingly made of a thicker, more expensive-looking material. The collar may have been zippable, that I don't know.

The admiral uniform of the era, however, had a very prominent zipper down the front, along with the big belt buckle with th UFP seal on it. There's no mistaking this admiral for an ensign.

Thank you for the pictures. Nice spot. Looks like the Admiral ones have the gold piping, similar to TWOK Admiral uniforms, in addition to the flair, and wider division sleeve stripes.

Yeah, I can see the oddity going from these to the simpler style. But, its Starfleet. Consistency is not really their thing.

 

[BillJ]

The collar may have been zippable, that I don't know.

If you're referring to the colored undershirt, they are. See: Star Trek: First Contact

 

[Datasbeard]

If you're referring to the colored undershirt, they are. See: Star Trek: First Contact

I actually meant the grey part, whether the V could be adjusted at all (at least in-universe). We saw in Nemesis that the dress uniforms had zippers, though there they are much more prominent. And yes, you're right about the undershirts. Picard had it open on the sweltering E in FC.

 

[BillJ]

I actually meant the grey part, whether the V could be adjusted at all (at least in-universe). We saw in Nemesis that the dress uniforms had zippers, though there they are much more prominent. And yes, you're right about the undershirts. Picard had it open on the sweltering E in FC.

I'm wanting to say that they are, I just can't remember where I saw it? Had to have been sometime during the course of DS9.

 

[Datasbeard]

Consistency is not really their thing.

Well, consistency is one thing, but I don't think that's the issue. The "simpler" uniforms look good, and have a nice lineage to the DS9 jumpsuits. It's been offered before that the gray uniforms were introduced during the Dominion War, to make Starfleet personnel less visible in the field, in which case the return to the bright primary colors after the War is logical.

But here we have an odd design issue, in that admirals are not visibly distinguished from other officers in any way other than by insignia, which is rather difficult to read at a distance. Maybe there's something intentional about this, trying to foster a better sense of equality between ranks?

 

[Datasbeard]

I'm wanting to say that they are, I just can't remember where I saw it? Had to have been sometime during the course of DS9.

Yeah, I have that same vague recollection, just can't place my finger on it.

 

[BillJ]

But here we have an odd design issue, in that admirals are not visibly distinguished from other officers in any way other than by insignia, which is rather difficult to read at a distance. Maybe there's something intentional about this, trying to foster a better sense of equality between ranks?

Also makes them less of a target during combat situations.

 

[Noname Given]

But here we have an odd design issue, in that admirals are not visibly distinguished from other officers in any way other than by insignia, which is rather difficult to read at a distance. Maybe there's something intentional about this, trying to foster a better sense of equality between ranks?

^^^
In war, you really don't want your upper echelon leaders to stand out, or be easily distinguishable on the battlefield as that would make a Snipers job much easier.

 

[fireproof78]

Also makes them less of a target during combat situations.

That is a good point. I believe M*A*S*H taught me that

But here we have an odd design issue, in that admirals are not visibly distinguished from other officers in any way other than by insignia, which is rather difficult to read at a distance. Maybe there's something intentional about this, trying to foster a better sense of equality between ranks?

I think Bill is on to something of making them less of a target. Since they are not at war, needing clear line of sight on the flag officers is less of a priority.

 

[BillJ]

That is a good point. I believe M*A*S*H taught me that

Pretty sure that is where I picked it up!

 

[Datasbeard]

But the Federation isn't in war during this time, right? The move back to bright-colored uniforms presumably came precisely the Federation was finally at peace again. And even during the Dominion War, when Starfleet officers wore gray to not stand out precisely as you suggest, admirals were still easily identifiable. Unless things have gone very badly, admirals aren't regularly beaming down on dangerous away missions or onto the front lines anyway, so I don't think this is a big issue.

 

[BillJ]

But the Federation isn't in war during this time, right? The move back to bright-colored uniforms presumably came precisely the Federation was finally at peace again. And even during the Dominion War, when Starfleet officers wore gray to not stand out precisely as you suggest, admirals were still easily identifiable. Unless things have gone very badly, admirals aren't regularly beaming down on dangerous away missions or onto the front lines anyway, so I don't think this is a big issue.

The Vulcan/Romulan we see could still be a starship commander or part of some other front line operations?

 

[Datasbeard]

The Vulcan/Romulan we see could still be a starship commander or part of some other front line operations?

That would make the most sense to me. But @Tuskin38 pointed out the same insignia, with the same regular uniform, appear in STO as 1-pip admirals. I'm sure they're getting that from the show. They wouldn't be taking existing designs and making up their own interpretations for them.

 

[Longinus]

I'm sure the various admiral uniforms are completely optional; if they want to wear the standard uniform, they can.

 

[fireproof78]

But the Federation isn't in war during this time, right? The move back to bright-colored uniforms presumably came precisely the Federation was finally at peace again. And even during the Dominion War, when Starfleet officers wore gray to not stand out precisely as you suggest, admirals were still easily identifiable. Unless things have gone very badly, admirals aren't regularly beaming down on dangerous away missions or onto the front lines anyway, so I don't think this is a big issue.

Admirals probably have broad discretion, like captains, in their uniforms.