Welcome to the new Geek Chic column! I’m on a mission to prove that an appreciation of fashion and a love of all things geeky need not be mutually exclusive passions. This column seeks to draw sartorial inspiration from the science fiction, fantasy, and comic book genres: while we may not be able to live out the adventures of time travelers, superheroes, hobbits, or space pioneers, we can certainly take some fashion cues from them!
For my first post, I’m going to focus on the ultimate icon of geekdom: Star Trek. While I love the campiness of the original 1960s TV series, there’s no denying the major style and hotness factor of the 2009 reboot, starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Zoe Saldana.
Table of Contents
Know Your Geek: About Star Trek
- Star Trek was created in the 1960s by Gene Roddenberry, who had a vision of a 23rd-century Earth free of war and inequality. The show was particularly groundbreaking at the time because of its racially diverse cast and how it addressed issues such as racism, feminism, imperialism, technology, and human rights. The original series was canceled after three seasons, but became immensely popular in syndication, spawning several spin-off shows and ten movies.
- In 2009, Paramount released Star Trek: XI, which utilized the characters from the original series but involved the creation of an alternate reality. The movie explores the birth of the Enterprise crew as they band together to fight an enemy threatening to destroy Earth. (Plus, there are breathtaking special effects, sexy green girls, and perhaps the best-looking ensemble cast ever.)
Outfits Inspired by Star Trek
Ready to take on 2012 by boldly wearing what you’ve never worn before? Make it so with these Trek-inspired outfits!
Uhura
Can I just mention what a great role model Communications officer Nyota Uhura is? She is incredibly intelligent, fiercely independent, and never backs down even though she’s one of the few female officers on the bridge. (Plus, nobody rocks a tiny mini quite like Lieutenant Uhura!)
Product Information: Jacket, Dress, Earrings, Shoes, Eyeliner, Straightener
This flippy red dress is quite similar to Uhura’s: Dress it up for a night out with a sparkly jacket and futuristic studded ankle boots. Zoe Saldana wore Alexis Bittar earrings in the film, but these drop earrings are just as cute at a fraction of the price. Finish the look by sweeping your hair into a sleek, high ponytail and applying winged eyeliner.
Kirk
Kirk, a rebel without a cause, feels his life is going nowhere until he joins Starfleet Academy. He spends most of the film in his cadet uniform, a simple gray and black outfit, though before he’s recruited he wears a tough leather jacket and jeans.
Product Information: Jacket, Dress, Scarf, Boots, Bangle
Capture Kirk’s defiant and confident nature with a too-cool-for-school jacket and moto boots. For a pop of color, add a trendy mustard scarf to represent the gold shirt he eventually wears as a captain. Now go strut your stuff and show the world that you don’t believe in the no-win scenario!
Spock
Spock, a Vulcan-human hybrid, wears blue to identify himself as a science officer; he’s also a Starfleet instructor and perhaps the most iconic Trek character of all.
Product Information: Blazer, Shirt, Jeans, Satchel, Watch, Shoes, Earrings
The ever-logical Vulcan would surely approve of this polished ensemble: A crisp blazer, sensible flats, and a pragmatic bookbag make it perfect for meeting with an adviser or a professor, while the skinny jeans and sheer collared shirt (wear a cami underneath!) prevent it from being stodgy. The deep red earrings are reminiscent of Spock’s home desert planet, and the gold watch will ensure that you’re always on time. Vulcans are too logical to be late!
The U.S.S. Enterprise
Without a ship, Kirk and company wouldn’t even be able to leave Earth, much less explore space, the final frontier. In the 2009 reboot, the Starship Enterprise got a slick makeover that garnered a lot of comparisons to the streamlined elegance of Apple stores.
Product Information: Dress, Leggings, , Belt, Clutch
Channel the legendary spacecraft by pairing an embellished white dress (reminiscent of the Enterprise’s hull) with a metallic belt that’s the same shade of blue as the engine nacelles. Then add fun extras like these bold cosmic leggings and a sparkly bag. If you want a more classic look, swap in a pair of regular black tights. You’re ready to take on the galaxy!
What do you think?
Did you like the Star Trek movie? And are you excited for the 2013 sequel? Would you wear any of these looks? What other geeky inspirations would you like to see? (Spoiler: You’ll be hearing about a certain Time Lord next time.) Let me know in the comments!
P.S. Live long and prosper!
Delighted to see that there will be a Doctor Who post coming soon! Also, looking forward to the possibility of a Sherlock one as well! Looks like this is going to be a fantastic column!
I love, love, love the idea of a Geek Chic column! Can’t wait for a Lord of the Rings post! 😀
So Uhura must have died in the film keeping with the red shirt theory.
YES!!! I love this new column, it’s one of the best CF will have 🙂 I agree with all of the previous: Doctor Who first (at least 2-3 installments), Firefly, Star Wars, LoTR and everything superheroes! I’m super excited to see what you’ll do! This will be my favourite thing on CF ever 😀
Ok, I’ve just noticed that you’ve already done the Skins thing… but you could totally continue on that, I think there’s much more interesting characters in that show 🙂
I was so excited when I saw the topic of this post, and doubly so when I realized you were a fellow BU student! Great idea for a series – so happy to see cf branch out this way.. Other ideas: Firefly(!!), Watchmen, Star Wars, oldschool Animorphs, and Big Bang Theory.
@Shannon if you need information on manga let me know. There are some with some beautiful costumes.
dude, best idea ever, I actually wasn’t a fan of star trek before the movie, which was just awesome, but I think you should totally do a firefly/serenity post soon, or just a josh weldon post, just cause of their huge awesomeness
This post is amazing! I have always loved the style of Star Trek characters and now I have a way to bring their essence into my everyday fashion choices. I love this column already, keep them coming! Live long and prosper.
@Meredith: I’m so glad to hear you say that! My greatest hope for this column is that it will introduce readers to some really great (and geeky) entertainment.
@Sarah R: I’m hoping to do a Sherlock post in the future..I’m a huge fan of the show! (At first I thought your post name was a reference to tomorrow’s episode until I realized that “Reichenbach” is actually your last name!)
I am loving the Doctor Who love! It’s amazing to see so many other Americans that love the show, it can get quite lonely. Also though I’d love to see an article about BCC’s new Sherlock series. Irene is a star and while the show may not be geeky it’s definitely one of the those shows UK tv show fans love. Also a Misfits article! That’s definitely got geek appeal, I can say that because I am definitely a Nerdist.
Hey hey hey, Valerie, we shouldn’t be discriminatory on other Trekkies whether they’re old or new. It’s great that we now have a fantastic movie under the Star Trek name that introduces the new generation into this amazing series and expand the fan-base! I personally greatly dislike the Original Series (blasphemous, I know), but I’m still a sucker for Next Gen., tribbles, and the Star Trek universe as a whole. There shouldn’t be a minimal requirement for love, you know?
Speaking of which, I just love these looks. Especially that pop of Command Yellow on the Kirk inspiration! Is it possible to do a tribble inspired outfit? They’re so furry, adorable, and so simple, they honestly would make a great winter inspiration with all that fur and their neutral toned palette!
YES! Thank you, THANK YOU for combining my two loves! This series is a fantastic idea! The ship outfit is great. I really hope you do Dr. Who and Star Wars!!
Kirsten is totally right, there should definitely be a firefly post! (There are only 14 episodes or so, which are on netflix for anyone who is wondering, awesome show btw). With all of the asian fashion inspiration and western mix, firefly would be awesome for a fashion post.
Secondly, I would appreciate, if the Star Trek post went into previous seasons. I think it’s funny that people who think they watched the movie that came out a few years ago think that they’re a trekkie. Not even close. There are so many past seasons, like Voyager and the next generation to mention that are awesome! Definitely check them out, they’re on netflix too. Awesome post! I especially like the fashion inspiration of the ship! 🙂
Coming back to re-comment so I can second the suggestions for Sally Sparrow (Doctor Who) and a Buffy inspired post! And on the matter of Buffy, how room inspiration? Buffy and Dawn’s rooms, as well as the dorm rooms (Buffy/Willow, Willow/Tara) are fantastic.
I never thought that “geek chic” would be so chic and stylish! I think the key to pulling off this look and other looks is styling and I believe that nobody does it better than celeb stylist and FIDM grad Niki Shadrow! Her work so stands out just like this article. Thanks for sharing it with the rest of the world!