Ferengi uniform

Ferengi uniforms were the outfits worn by Ferengi officers serving in what was the equivalent to the Ferengi military or who served as local authorities.

Type A[]

In the year 2364, the Ferengi wore rather archaic-looking uniforms, as fur was part of their garb. Officers wore grey trousers made from a thin fabric and a shirt with long sleeves. Both sleeves featured a stripe running the whole length, made of a metallic dark fabric. This feature of the uniform would be carried on to the next generation of Ferengi uniforms. On top of the shirt, a vest made from black and white-striped fur was worn. Short boots were made of a similar animal fur. A wide black belt was worn on top of the vest and the shirt and black leather straps were attached to the bottom part of the trouser legs.

A special kind of headgear, protecting the back part of the head was part of the uniform in 2364 and later years. The headgear consisted of a fringed metallic fabric attached to a bow with a repeating pattern that was attached to the upper part of the skull. Apart from the tattoos on the right part of the forehead, no rank insignia were part of the uniform.

The weapon of choice during this time was the energy whip. (TNG: "The Last Outpost", "The Battle")

Nearly two decades later, Beckett Mariner likened the similarly dressed Kynk, who wore Mugato fur-adorned attire to "some creepy throwback, Last Outpost-style Ferengi." (LD: "Mugato, Gumato")

Type B[]

The Ferengi adopted a new uniform in late 2365 implementing several changes and also adding several kinds of rank insignia. (TNG: "Peak Performance")

This uniform was made out of a thicker fabric than the previous versions and consisted of grey trousers with black stripes running down the length of the legs and a jacket with a wide collar, made from the same fabric. A large golden ring was attached to the lower part of the collar, on the front of the uniform. Most uniforms featured stripes along the full length of the sleeves, made from a metallic green fabric, similar to previous uniforms. Only some officers wore uniforms without those green sleeve stripes, including Kol and Nibor. A shirt made out of the same metallic green fabric was worn underneath the jacket. Only Bok, when he was encountered by the crew of the USS Enterprise-D in late 2370, wore a shirt made from a different metallic fabric; the sleeve stripes of his uniform were similarly changed. (TNG: "Bloodlines") Chakotay's early 2378 holoprogram diplomacy scenario 12-alpha featured a holographic Ferengi who wore the same uniform. (VOY: "Q2")

Headgear was still worn, only the fabric was changed. The fringed metallic part was replaced by a golden-shimmering green and red fabric which was still attached to a bow similar to the previous uniform, the pattern on the bow was retained only the color was changed from silver to gold as well. (TNG: "The Price", et al)

Uniforms in 2366, variety without sleeve stripe on left

Uniform worn by local authorities in 2381

The headgear in 2366

Appendices[]

Appearances[]

Original uniform[]

Revised uniform[]

Background information[]

According to the script for their first appearance, the Ferengi were initially described as being "dressed in strange clothing [..] armed with odd whip-like weapons."

The original Ferengi not-quite-uniform was designed by William Ware Theiss, and were summarized as "caveman-like fake-fur sarongs worn atop what appeared to be loose grey pajamas."

The revised Ferengi uniform was designed by Durinda Rice Wood, and was given an appearance more resembling military-ware, and were comparatively summarized as "formal but slightly fatuous."

As explained by her predecessor, Robert Blackman, "Durinda had done these amazing umiforms–sort of Tweedledee and Tweedledum olive-drab, wool, double-knit things that were hilarious, they were serious, they were authoratative, they were everything they were supposed to be [as villians]." He continued, "but [the Ferengi] had had little round bodies with these big buttheads, and no matter what they were dressed in, the comedy wouldn't end."

Following a positive response from the colorful and outlandish attire worn by Sovak in "Captain's Holiday", Blackman came to the decision that "When they're civilians, they're something entirely different from what they are when they're in their uniforms. And," he added, "I think that eventually convinced the writers to keep them out of uniforms altogether. So when they became important on Deep Space Nine, they rarely appeared in uniform." (Star Trek: Costumes, p. 188)

The original Ferengi uniform was sold as part of the It's A Wrap! sale and auction, where it was described as "a full length brown suede jumpsuit with synthetic reptile skin accents around the ankles, on the shoulders, and down the arms. Belt loops are apparent at the waist and the costume comes with an incredible striped fur sash that lies across the chest and back, diagonally with Velcro patches and matching spotted fur boots." [1] A second and third also sold on It's A Wrap!, were described as "a full-length, long-sleeved, brown leather jumpsuit with striped, iridescent, black vinyl on the shoulders, down the sleeves, and stirrups for the feet," [2], while the third additionally included, "a fur sarong, fur-lined boots, a tan web belt, and a sash of black, striped vinyl to go over the belt." [3] A fourth uniform sold was described as "a long-sleeved, full-length, mauve-colored suede jumpsuit featuring black, vinyl accents across the shoulders, down the sleeves, and encircling the lower legs; stirrups for the feet, and faux fur-lined ankle boots." [4] Two head wraps from these appearances were also sold as part of the same auction. [5][6]

The revised Ferengi uniform was also sold as part of the It's A Wrap! sale and auction, where it was described as a "soft, milk chocolate colored jumpsuit comes with a corresponding cropped top with long sleeves that feature gold and brown mesh on the outside of the sleeves, and a matching collar and inside 'shirt' for wear underneath. The top also features a set of rings in the center of the chest, an accent familiar to Ferengi costumes. A pair of gold colored bracelets are present and a pair of black leather boots with painted green and gold blotches are included." [7]

Another sold in the same auction described a "sleeveless brown jumpsuit has ruffled copper color metal trim down each leg and a zip up the front. The cropped jacket is brown with dark brown and gold sections down each sleeve. The collar tapers down into a rolled fabric accent with metal studs. The accompanying dickie is dark brown and gold fabric that Velcros over the jumpsuit." [8]

A third costume sold in the same auction described "a sleeveless olive green jumpsuit with Ferengi style wings down the side of each leg. The wings have ruffled copper color trim. There is a zip up the front and loops on the left side of the waist. A neoprene dickie covered with metallic and black fabric attaches with Velcro around the neck and onto the front of the jumpsuit. The olive green jacket is cropped with metallic and black fabric panels down each sleeve. There is a Paisley shaped gold colored metal decoration on each side of the collar and a metal buckle on the front. The buckle and wrap above it attach to the jacket with snaps and hooks-and-eyes." [9]

Two lab coats, worn by Dr. Farek in "Menage a Troi", were also sold as part of the same It's A Wrap! auction. One was described as "iridescent green with stunning iridescent honeycomb patterned trim on the sleeves and down the front and back." [10] The second was described as "a long-sleeved, full-length lab coat in a reflective green shade featuring a hexagonal, iridescent, design along the cuffs, down the front and the back, two blankets of the same green material as the coat and with light green hems." [11]