Vulcan uniform

Vulcan uniforms are the clothing worn by Vulcans in the service of the Vulcan High Command, ranging from the 20th through the 24th centuries.

These uniforms facilitate Vulcan wearers' needs as scientists, ambassadors, and starship officers, as well as adaptations for occasional military roles, often displaying rank insignia and position.

Duty uniform
During the mid-20th century (or as early as 1957), Vulcan officers in service aboard scientific vessels such as the D'Vahl wore brown, leather-like duty uniforms.

Consisting of a high-collared jacket and trousers, these uniforms featured distinctive designs consisting of V-shaped divisions of color on the chest and stomach. While higher-ranking officers such as captains wore brown uniforms with black and tan accents, lower-ranking officers wore similar versions that did not include black trim. Each officer's uniform bore a trapezoidal crest at the center of the chest.

As in future incarnations of the Vulcan uniform, the Vulcan captain's rank insignia was worn on the collar. However, his subordinates wore no visible rank. Opening at the front from a central closure, the uniform was worn over an off-white undershirt.

In the year 1957, the crew of a ship that crash-landed on Earth wore uniforms like these, but destroyed them, along with their ship, to avoid cultural contamination. 



Ceremonial robes
In the 21st century, Vulcan officers such as those serving aboard the T'Plana-Hath surveying vessel wore formal, ceremonial robes when they made First Contact with humanity in the year 2063.

Consisting of dark, neutrally-colored hooded robes, these Vulcan garb were heavily ornamented in beads and bore a phrase or word written in the vertical, spiral-shaped Vulcan written text. 

Duty uniform
During the mid-22nd century, Vulcans serving the High Command aboard starships engaged in scientific or militaristic functions generally wore sleek, form-fitting jumpsuit-style, or two-piece uniforms. Many variations existed, ranging in formality and design.

Type A
As early as the year 2151, some Vulcan officers wore uniform jumpsuits with lower-cut collars that were trimmed at the chest or upper-stomach.

One version of this design bore a dark-brown coloration, highlighted by gray patterning. This uniform was trimmed at the collar and shoulders by reddish-brown piping which also encircled the mid-torso. This uniform was worn by officers such as Subcommander T'Pol, a member of the Vulcan Diplomatic Corps.

Another version – worn by higher-ranking officers, such as Captain Vanik of the starship Ti'Mur – was gray in color, with dark-gray piping. Both variations featured rank insignia on the left collar and a long closure running from the collar to the right side of the chest. 

Type B
As early as the year 2152, Vulcan officers serving aboard starships sometimes wore more formal, two-piece uniforms, consisting of a jacket and trousers.

Featuring the same trim around the torso, shoulders and collar as the previous uniform design, this style sported a higher collar and closure than ran the length of the jacket.

At least two colors for this uniform existed, ranging from a golden-brown to rust. 

Type C
Another uniform type in use during 2152 also featured a jacket and trouser combination. However, it sported a far more intricate design and formal look.

Consisting of a reflective, rubber-like material, this uniform bore a high collar and closed at the right, as in the previous 22nd century designs. Unlike the other designs, however, this version featured a dark, wedge-shaped accent, running from the left shoulder across the chest, and sported a belt with an elaborate buckle. This uniform also came in a variety of colors, ranging from metallic-brown to silver. 

Type D
Far less formal than any of the other options, a fourth uniform design was available to Vulcan officers serving aboard starships such as the Seleya in 2153.

Consisting of a single-piece jumpsuit, this uniform was far more utilitarian, made out of a brown, rubber-like material. Devoid of any distinctive designs, this uniform had a belt buckle similar to the one worn on the previous uniform style. As with the previous design, this uniform featured a high collar, with rank insignia worn on the right side. 

Excursion jacket
As a compliment to the standard duty uniform, a metallic-brown duty jacket was also available to Vulcan officers aboard starships. Similar to the more formal duty uniforms, this excursion-type jacket was worn over the standard uniform jumpsuit and featured a belt for a holster or other equipment. 

This uniform could also be worn with a hood, where appropriate. 

Excursion uniform
For use in desert or other, more inhospitable terrains, specialized uniforms were available to Vulcan personnel serving aboard starships.

Consisting of a stark white jumpsuit, trimmed with horizontal ribbing on the upper-arms and sides, the uniform was designed to provide comfort and versatility in environments the standard duty uniform would not. As with the standard duty uniform, the rank insignia was worn on the right collar. 

In the year 2154, newly commissioned Starfleet Commander T'Pol wore a version of this jumpsuit, altered to include a Starfleet assignment patch and rank. In this instance, it was worn with a long, white coat. 

Combat uniform
For situations that called for a Vulcan officer to serve in hazardous battle operations, a ground combat uniform was available as early as 2151. 

Made of a metallic-silver, rubber-like material, this uniform featured horizontal ribbing running down the chest and back. This uniform was sometimes worn with gloves and was available to officers in service aboard starships and on Vulcan. 

Ceremonial robes
As in earlier periods, 22nd century Vulcans, both civilian and non-civilian alike, donned elaborate ceremonial robes during more formal occasions, or if their positions warranted the practice. Such was the case with members of the Vulcan Diplomatic Corps, including Ambassadors Soval and V'Lar, who wore their ceremonial robes regularly during their individual postings.

While these robes varied in color and flourishes, most Vulcan ceremonial robes consisted of long, hooded robes, adorned with beads and including Vulcan text on the right side of the chest. The robes were worn over similarly formal, though less elaborate, tunics and trousers. 

Ambassadorial wardrobe
During the 23rd century, many Vulcan people were employed in representing the United Federation of Planets in peaceful diplomacy. With this occupation came a number of dress options, ranging from simple suits to elaborate ceremonial robes.

Formal attire
During the 2260s, Vulcan diplomats, such as Ambassador Sarek, sometimes wore formal suits, unique to the era.

Among the choices was a dark gray coat and trouser combination, featuring a black collar and distinctive orange and gold stripe running vertically down the left breast. Alongside this strip, an ambassador could display any appropriate medals. 

Casual attire
Like the Vulcan diplomat's formal attire, his or her casual attire could be equally, or even more meticulously decorated.

Among the options was a dark blue coat, similar in pattern to the formal coat, but slightly less rigid and tight-fitting. This option bore a large floral heraldry crest that took up most of the coat in the front, which also displayed honorary medals. The right sleeve featured two diagonal golden stripes, woven high on the cuff. 

Ceremonial robes
As early as the mid-2280s, Vulcan ambassadors and diplomats also had far more ceremonial options available to them.

Like their predecessors, Vulcan diplomats sometimes wore elaborate and intricately designed ceremonial robes, complete with Vulcan text as decoration. While these robes were quite unusual, ranging in color and style, they often incorporated high collars, flowing sleeves, and were sometimes worn with jewelry such as rings or even elaborate hats.

One of the most intricate ambassadorial options included a gold breastplate, studded with large jewels, occasionally worn by Sarek throughout the late 2280s. 

Workman's uniform
Despite the abundance of ceremonial garb in the late 23rd century, Vulcans continued to see use for far less formal, often more utilitarian wardrobe.

Vulcans employed in technical operations, such as starship repairs, wore distinct work uniforms distinguished by a simplistic design. Off-white in color, these uniforms consisted of a looser-fitting tunic and pants, worn with a dark-gray belt. Most striking about the uniform was a stark red cap, extending high above the head and curving forward. Another option to be worn with this utility-type uniform was a red robe, worn over the ensemble. 

Ceremonial robes
Like the ambassadorial attire, Vulcan religious wardrobe often consisted of elaborate and intricately designed robes. Often off-white in color, these robes were also often accented in red and worn with rigid hoods.

Some women, including T'Lar in 2285, wore crowns that featured crystals on their heads. Others wore very revealing, flowing robes. Members of particular religious ceremonies, such as the fal-tor-pan, occasionally wore distinctive hats and jewelry. 

Ceremonial guard wardrobe
Sometimes present during religious ceremonies, Vulcan guards wore equally elaborate wardrobe. Guards taking part in the aforementioned fal-tor-pan ceremony wore heavy, gold-plated, jewel-encrusted armor and gold helmets. In areas unprotected by these jewels, burgundy and black cloth was visible. 

Burial robes
After Captain Spock was killed by radiation poisoning in 2285, his body was launched from the Enterprise in a photon torpedo casing and propelled into space. The casing eventually landed on the Genesis Planet, where Spock was reborn wearing traditional Vulcan burial robes that were black and were adorned with the three-symbol Vulcan insignia. 


 * See also
 * Vulcan desert soft suit

Alternate reality
In the alternate reality created by Nero's incursion to 2233, members of the Vulcan Science Academy wore dark clothing. Male Vulcans wore jackets that draped over the left half of the body, while females wore a flowing head dress. 

Duty uniform
Vulcan scientists serving aboard exclusively Vulcan, non-Starfleet research vessels, such as the T'Vran, wore distinct duty uniforms, separate from those worn by Starfleet officers.

Consisting of a dark blue tunic and trousers, this high-collared duty uniform sported the traditional three-symbol Vulcan text with lighter-blue highlights on the shoulders. 

Spock wore a unique jumpsuit when piloting the Jellyfish and handling the red matter which he used to stop the supernova of 2387. 

Science uniform
Members of the Vulcan Science Academy in 2387 wore long, light gray coats with padded shoulders. 

Field outfit
For cold environments, Vulcan officers wore a fur-lined hooded jacket and gloves. 

Ceremonial robes
Like many esteemed Vulcans before her, 24th century Ambassador T'Pel and her colleagues often wore traditional ceremonial robes. Comparable to the religious attire of the late-23rd century, the ambassadorial robes sometimes included elaborate head-wear, including hoods and hats, as well as jewelry. 

Formal attire
Also as in the previous century, 24th century Vulcans in diplomatic service had, at their disposal, far less elaborate attire than the ceremonial robes. Nonetheless formal, this attire retained many very Vulcan flourishes, such as Vulcan text displayed on the tunic, as well as a comfortable, yet aristocratic appearance.

Vulcan Ambassador Lojal wore such attire, during a visit to Deep Space 9 in 2369, consisting of a gray tunic, highlighted by red patterning and large shoulder pads, similar to those worn by Romulans of that time period. 

Background
The wardrobe worn by the Vulcans has evolved over the years, from the sleek, somewhat Medieval designs of William Ware Theiss in The Original Series, to Robert Fletcher's operatic and flowing robes debuting in and further evolving in  and.

For Vulcans living in The Next Generation-era forward (and backward to Enterprise), costumes were provided by Robert Blackman. Deborah Everton's contribution to the costumes in may have been the most influential turn in Vulcan garb since The Motion Picture, adding overt Asian touches and influencing Blackman's coming designs.

Some correlation can be found in the Vulcan wardrobe, specifically the uniforms, seen in Enterprise and the Starfleet uniforms of the TNG-era 24th century. While it could just be a coincidence that these uniforms shared a common shape (and even displayed rank in roughly the same place), it could very well be an indication of Vulcan influence over not just Earth, but the Federation and Starfleet as a whole.

In the script for, Ambassador Sarek's attire is described thus; "His clothes always are subdued, neutral colors, brightened only by the badge of office he wears."

Several pieces of Vulcan uniforms, costumes and jewelry were sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay. Three of the hats were worn by background performers Cheryl Wallack, Dave Armstrong , and Don Purpus. A headband was worn by background performer K. Willey.

T'Pol's Vulcan duty uniform
The tight-fitting Vulcan uniform worn by Jolene Blalock in the role of T'Pol was designed by veteran Star Trek costume designer Robert Blackman. ( text commentary, ENT Season 2 DVD, et al.) Regarding the "catsuit", Blackman told Star Trek: Communicator magazine in, "We've got T'Pol in a Vulcan subcommander uniform. She's military. She's not civilian. It's a close-fit outfit, certainly, because she's a beautiful woman and it's useful on every level to have some kind of romantic figure." Blackman went on to describe the Vulcans with the words "beautiful grooviness". In a interview for Star Trek: The Magazine, Blackman stated of the same costume, "It is very form-fitting, although it sort of opens up below the knee; it's not the 'Seven of Nine' notion of tight fight – it's more like the Troi or Crusher or Dax notion of close fit." Although the uniform ultimately incorporated brown-red piping, a sketch that Blackman drew for the costume includes primarily black piping and omits a pin that was ultimately worn at the collar. (Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 2, Issue 9, p. 90)

The clothing used custom-designed fabric that was handmade by textile designer Francine LeCoultre. ( text commentary, ENT Season 2 DVD)

Like the Starfleet standard duty uniform, T'Pol's catsuit appeared to have the ability to split into two pieces, despite the existence of a zipper at the back and the appearance of a jumpsuit. In the episode, T'Pol is seen in just the bottom half of her uniform.

The novelization of "Broken Bow" suggests that T'Pol's uniform is for special diplomatic advisers and the costume's use in seems to further support this theory.

T'Pol's uniform last appeared in the Enterprise second season finale,. In fact, when T'Pol is first introduced in the script for the third season premiere, the teleplay specifically states, "T'Pol is no longer wearing her Vulcan uniform."

Apocrypha
In the novel of "Broken Bow", T'Pol's Vulcan duty uniform is referred to as "a Vulcan commissar's uniform."