Review: STAR TREK: COSTUMES Lets Trekkies Look Behind the Seams

How many times have I heard, "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have"? From jeans to pencil skirts to hoping no one in the office noticed my black yoga pants weren't actually casual slacks; my dress has been more indicative of variations of myself than any job in particular. Dress for the job I wanted? I wanted to be paid to watch television in my pajamas.

In early 2013, after binge watching seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), I had a new aspiration: I wanted to work on The USS Enterprise. Via Netflix, I was crushing on a Crusher, demanding tea (Earl Grey, Hot) in a terrible British accent, shaking my head at those Ferengi. In the reality outside of my apartment, I was working (read: slowly dying) at a hotel in the city. However, thanks to the Orlando Mega Convention (MegaCon), I was going to get pretty close to becoming a member of the Starfleet. I was going to Cosplay.

That year MegaCon hosted members of the cast of Star Trek: TNG, and two of my favorite nerds (Ashley and Rion) agreed to dress up and attend the Convention with me. Official Gene Roddenberry costume patterns were purchased and altered, Ashley's living room was overrun with fabric; there was so. Much. Cutting. Do you know how to make Guinan's hat? We do now.

After weeks of blood, sweat and tears, Ashley completed our TNG-inspired outfits (see below) and the Orange County Convention Center became our final frontier.

To simply say there were Trekkies everywhere feels like an understatement. The level of costume commitment that I saw from the attendees was telling of the power behind a beloved series. 12 films and six television series have made Star Trek a common household name. Prior to 2013 I'd never seen an episode, but I could easily identify characters and reference plot points because I grew up hearing about it.

One of the great things about Star Trek is its continued ability to transport viewers to a different place and time, and a great deal of this is due to the makeup, set design and - you've got it! The costumes.

Coauthored by Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann, with an introduction by Star Trek costume designer Robert Blackman, STAR TREK: COSTUMES is a 256-page homage to the history of the clothing featured in the franchise.

You can flip to any page and find crisp, full color images of iconic costumes, detailed character sketches, and various photos of the cast. The book also features insight from members of the cast and crew. Ever notice how Captain Picard always tugged on the bottom of his shirt when he sat down? There was a reason for that which earned the name The Picard Maneuver. Did you know that the original costume for the Borg Queen was painful to wear, and that an alternative had to be created for Alice Krige's comfort?

In the book, William Ware Theiss, the original costume designer for Star Trek, notes the line between creating futuristic outfits and ending up with silly costumes. He points out that understanding the history of clothing is pivotal. How had it changed up until the sixties, and what guesses could one make regarding looks for the future?

Theiss was the mind behind designs such as Lieutenant Uhura's unforgettable red uniform. The future would not see a loss of provocative couture.

STAR TREK: COSTUMES showcases the extensive thought that went into details of every character's clothing and accessories. No suit was haphazardly thrown together; no dress an afterthought. Remember Captain Kirk's single nipple-baring toga, or the introduction of unisex dresses called Skants? How about any of the Ferengis ornate fashions or Geordi La Forge's VISOR?

University courses revolving around Star Trek could use this text as scripture. It is pregnant with stories and images that would spark interest in the mildest science fiction fan.

The sole negative about STAR TREK: COSTUMES speaks more about me than the book. It is big and it is heavy. We live in a world where e-books can be transferred to your e-reader in a matter of seconds. Do people really tote around actual books anymore?

This book's single negative is also part of what makes it so special. Like the clothing highlighted within its tangible pages, it's a gorgeous statement piece. Yes, it's weighty, but I proudly toted it around with me for weeks as I prepared for this review. It deserves to be in print. You have to thumb through the pages and really take it all in. It's even better than a coffee table book about coffee tables that turns into a mini coffee table.

So what do you think? Would the masterminds behind five decades worth of costuming wonder have allowed us on the ship? I dressed for the job I wanted. Now to figure out hyperdrive.

Star Trek: Costumes: Five Decades of Fashion from the Final Frontier
By Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann
ISBN: 978-1-60887-518-4

Megacon Photo Credit: Allen Finley Photography.
Photo provided by Insight Editions. © 2015 CBS Studios Inc. © 2015 Paramount Pictures Corporation. STAR TREK and related marks and logos are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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