With so many available options, it can be a daunting task to figure out where to begin when it comes to putting a uniform together. For that reason, we've put together this handy guide for you to follow.
You don't have to follow this guide if you don't want to. It's just a useful suggestion.
The Class C Leisure Uniform is the easiest and cheapest to put together, by design. All you need to buy is a T-shirt (in the right colour), and you're done. In South African terms, you can put it together for under R50.
Make sure you buy a t-shirt in the correct colour, and you're ready to go. There's a colour chart here if you're unsure.
The colour doesn't have to match perfectly, but try to get as close as possible.
One of the cool things about the LU is that you don't have to stop at just a T-shirt; There are a number of optional accessories and upgrades you can make to it to really have some fun with it.
For example, if you feel like spending some money, you could sew on a Dauntless sleeve-patch, add a pair of ID tags, an SFI Name Badge, replace the jeans with BDU trousers, replace the trainers with combat boots and top it off with a Dauntless cap.
Suddenly your once-tame LU is a pretty fierce-looking military-style uniform!
Once you have a working LU that you're happy with, it's time to start building up your Class B Standard Duty Uniform, which will be the primary uniform you'll be wearing to most Dauntless events.
The uniform jacket and undershirt can be purchased online from various retail sites such as AliExpress. It's always tricky when ordering clothing online. Be prepared to spend a few hundred Rand extra on it after it arrives to have it tailored to fit you properly.
Many online retailers use the original costume patterns from Star Trek to create their uniforms, but some are better than others. If you're unsure, the Ship's Quartermaster is available to give you advice on selecting the right one.
You'll likely have to purchase trousers and boots separately. These can be found at just about any clothing shop. If you're in doubt about precisely what to get, just ask.
The combadge and rank insignia that come with your uniform may not be of the highest quality. Although they'll probably pass inspection (unless you're Enlisted... AliExpress doesn't provide Enlisted rank insignia for their products - you'll have to source those elsewhere), you'll probably want to replace them with higher quality versions.
Amazon is a good place to start for a decent combadge (the Quantum Mechanix magnetic Voyager style combadge is the recommended model), and the SFI Quartermaster will be the best stop for Officers' rank insignia. FairyFountains is the place to go for your Enlisted and Marine rank insignia.
There aren't many upgrade options for the SDU, but it's possible to add an SFI Name Badge, Dauntless cap and a decorative sidearm, should you wish to. It may even be worth getting two versions of the SDU (a two-piece and a one-piece, for example) for different occasions. it also wouldn't hurt to have an extra undershirt or two in case you find yourself attending a multi-day convention or something.
We advise caution when sourcing your uniform. Just about any dressmaker will tell you that they can easily make it for you, but most dressmakers have limited experience in producing military-style uniforms.
The attention to detail needed for a uniform is greater than that required for your average civilian suit, which is something that typically only becomes apparent after you've spent money on fabric and labour to produce it. Please make sure your tailor understands the level of detail that will be taken into account when the CO inspects your uniform.
It's all-too-easy to end up with a cringeworthy approximation of a uniform instead of something that makes you, your ship and your fleet look good. The product you want to end up with is a professional garment we can all be proud of, not a cheesy, ill-fitting Halloween costume.
The Class A Dress Uniform is the most formal of the uniforms, and you therefore won't find occasions to wear it too often. You'll probably only get to use it once or twice a year. It's worth having for those occasions, but it shouldn't be a high priority on your uniform shopping list.
These can also be obtained online, and you can use the same rank insignia, combadge and SFI name badge you use with your SDU.
There are several remaining uniforms in the Class C category. Not everyone needs one of these, but if you find yourself on the paintball or laser-tag fields from time to time, it's something you may want to look into.
Something else worth looking into is getting second or third copies of the uniforms you already have. Having more than one always helps.
There's also the possibility of a Regional uniform. The Dauntless is part of the 8th Fleet, and if you happen to serve on the Regional staff, you're entitled to wear the Regional uniform set instead of your ship uniform from time to time. Look into it!
