Understanding the Evolution of Star Trek Uniforms

While the Star Trek: Discovery series emerges with sleek and modern uniforms, the question lingers: why do the Discovery uniforms seem to diverge from the The Cage uniforms? To answer this, one must look back into the rich history of Star Trek and the detailed background provided by various on-screen and off-screen sources.

The Importance of the Creatures in the High Castle

In the TOS episode The High Cage, the Enterprise is amongst the many starships assigned to the “high cage” mission. In this context, the portrayal of The Cage takes place about a year before the Discovery era. In The Cage episode, Pike is seen as the captain of the Enterprise, indicating that the uniforms observed in this episode are from the early days of Enterprise operations, when the ship was a Constitution-class heavy cruiser.

Interestingly, the uniforms in The Cage are quite distinct from the classic TOS uniforms, also known as the "cannon" uniforms. These uniforms are specifically tailored for the Enterprise and its Constitution-class sister ships, indicating that they were not standard across the fleet. There is, however, an emerging trend in keeping with the later seasons of The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, where classic TOS "cannon" uniforms transitioned into more modern designs by the early/mid 2260s.

On-Screen Evidence: Transitioning Uniforms

The option for multiple uniform designs across Star Trek series is a well-documented phenomenon. For instance, in The Next Generation, the uniform change occurred during the third season, evidenced by characters wearing both old and new uniforms. This gradual transition can be seen as a sign that new uniforms were being rolled out as existing ones wore out or were phased out.

In Star Trek Generations, the Jem'Hadar uniforms worn by Riker resemble the DS9 style, which also coexist with the TNG style uniforms. This further emphasizes the overlap and transition of uniform styles across the series.

Uniform Evolution on DS9: A Clear Example

In Deep Space Nine, the transition is particularly evident in the episode Emissary. Upon arrival, Sisko, Dax, and Bashir wear "fleet" uniforms similar to those seen on the Enterprise. However, once they start their duties at DJ, they switch to the jumpsuit uniform. Both TNG and DS9 uniforms coexist, with the jumpsuit eventually becoming dominant as it gains fleet-wide acceptance.

Similarly, in the two-part episodes Homefront and Paradise Lost, when Sisko is temporarily assigned to Earth, he dons the TNG style uniforms, demonstrating that it takes time for new uniform designs to become standard across the fleet.

The Authoritative Explanation from Desperate Hours

For a more in-depth understanding, David Mack’s novel Desperate Hours offers a credible explanation. According to the novel, the TOS uniforms were exclusive to the Constitution-class starships. Over time, these uniforms were gradually phased out in favor of more contemporary designs. The novel suggests that after the Discovery era, it took years for the new uniforms to become standard across the entire fleet, as seen in Voyager.

Mack’s novel was written in consultation with the Discovery writers and shared many background details that made it into the show. For example, the only named Shenzou crew members were Georgiou, Burnham, and Saru. Still, the novel provided several character backstories and names that enriched the show’s universe.

Given this historical context and the off-screen evidence provided by novels and background materials, it is reasonable to conclude that the Discovery uniforms are part of a larger evolution in the Star Trek universe. The initial discrepancies with the The Cage uniforms can be attributed to the specific historical context of the early Enterprise operations and the gradual phasing out of older designs over time.

Existence of multiple uniform designs across Star Trek series exemplifies the gradual transition and adaptation of the Starfleet wardrobe, showcasing the comprehensive and evolving nature of the Star Trek universe.