Misc. Observations and Errors, part 2

The DS9/NEM "captain vest," in combination with the DS9/NEM "captain jacket" and DS9/NEM division shirt, provided for a wide range of wearing styles.

For instance, with the unzipped jacket, fully zipped vest, and fully zipped division shirt, there was the "3-piece suit" style we covered previously:

DS9, 5x10 "Rapture"

DS9, 6x19 "In the Pale Moonlight"

DS9, 6x2 "Rocks and Shoals"

With the unzipped jacket, the vest could be partially unzipped with the "open collar" division shirt to make for a great "stranded," "in the trenches," or "geez, it's hot!" look: 

DS9, 6x2 "Rocks and Shoals"

Of course, both the jacket and the vest could be worn fully unzipped: 

Even without the jacket, though, the vest and division shirt were fairly versatile in their wearing styles. 

For instance, both the vest and division shirt could be worn "properly" - that is, both fully closed: 

First Contact

DS9, 6x18 "Inquisition"

The vest could be worn fully closed, with the "unzipped" division shirt, for a nice, "I'm still on duty but it's the end of a very long day," kind of look: 

DS9, 7x24 "The Dogs of War"

The vest could be worn partially unzipped with a fully closed division shirt: 

DS9, 5x10 "Rapture"

The vest could also be worn fully unzipped with a fully closed division shirt: 

DS9, 5x10 "Rapture"

And, lastly, the vest could be worn fully unzipped with an "unzipped" division shirt: 

DS9, 5x22 "Children of Time"

First Contact

For cosplaying purposes, it seems wisest to wear the vest one of these ways - the ways it was seen on-screen, that is. Spending the time, money, and effort to construct a highly-detailed vest you're proud of is a worthy goal, of course, but to wear a closed jacket over it has several disadvantages: 

First, a well-made "captain jacket" would, ideally, completely hide the vest underneath, thus defeating the purpose of making and wearing the vest! 

Second, a vest underneath the zipped jacket would probably make your "captain ensemble" somewhat bulky. 

Third, a vest underneath the zipped jacket would probably at least somewhat restrict your movement. 

Fourth, a vest underneath a zipped jacket would likely be uncomfortably warm, especially at a crowded public event such as a con, panel, screening, etc. 

The only advantage of wearing both would be having the option to open and close the jacket, thus changing the overall appearance of the "captain ensemble," or, again, wearing the jacket open over the vest for the Sisko-esque "commando" look.


PREVIOUS: Misc. Observations and Errors, part 1

NEXT: Misc. Observations and Errors, part 3