Starfleet uniform ( mirror ) Service members of wore a common uniform that facilitated the individual ' s needs as soldiers of the Terran Empire . The uniforms were used to display an officer or crewman ' s current status , rank , divisions , and decorations awarded over the course of their service . Throughout the history of the Starfleet uniform , there were distinctive difference between commissioned and enlisted personnel as well as male and female service members . Overview . Officers and crewmembers wore Starfleet uniform s and rank insignia similar to the counterpart universe Starfleet . The uniforms and ranks , while similar , displayed some striking differences , such as standard sidearms ( phase - pistol s in the 2150s and phaser s from the 2160s onward ) and daggers , military decoration s , and shoulder braces or sash es . Some officers wore a Sam Browne belt . 22nd century . During the 22nd century , Starfleet uniforms were similar to their counterpart universe ' s Earth Starfleet . In 2155 , the standard officer uniform was a navy blue jumpsuit with division color ( red , aqua , or gold ) stripes at the shoulders . The insignia of the Terran Empire was worn on a patch on the right shoulder , and an assignment patch based on the posting of the officer was worn on the left shoulder . Decorations and medals were worn on the left breast and shoulder brace . Female uniforms were simpler , with a pants and top combination with the same arrangement of markings , but a bare midriff . Rank insignia were displayed on epaulets . ( , ) 23rd century . By 2256 , the uniforms were similar to those in the prime universe , but were altered to allow for some of the exceptions mentioned below . ( , ) . In 2256 , the uniform were black with a division color ( copper , silver , or gold ) . The insignia of the Terran Empire was worn on the right shoulder . Decorations and medals were worn on the left shoulder . Captains worn a gold chest piece , gold shoulder pads and a gold thick belt . The tactical gear was more heavily protected than the prime universe . By 2267 , the uniforms were similar to those discovered aboard the in 2155 , but were altered to allow for some of the exceptions mentioned below . ( ; ) . In 2267 , the standard officer uniform was black trousers with a division color ( red , blue , or gold ) tunic . The insignia of the Terran Empire was worn on the right breast . Decorations and medals were worn on the left breast . Female uniforms were simpler , with a skirt and top combination , but a bare midriff . Rank insignia was displayed as gold braid on female uniform tops and command officer jackets and vests , and sleeve stripes for junior line officers . Background . The Terran Empire uniforms in were designed by Gersha Phillips , who explained they were intended to echo the assymetrical appearance of the uniforms . She also wanted it to be in keeping with the aesthetic production designer Tamara Deverell had settled on for the Terran Empire , which is heavily influenced by the art deco movement as well as brutalist architecture . Phillips revealed there was a red medical uniform planned for the show , " which would ' ve been kinda cool . "