Nichelle Nichols as Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek: The Original Series is nothing short of iconic. Her look is timeless, and today I’m going to show you how to recreate her signature Uhura mini dress—thrifted and upcycled! Ready to make your own budget-friendly, sustainable Uhura costume? Let’s get started!
Materials
What you'll need:
Red dress (I thrifted mine at Goodwill!)
Sewing clips
Black fabric
Gold ribbon
Fabric Glue
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Step 1: Adjust the Length
Uhura was known for rocking that mini dress, so the first thing we need to do is shorten it (if you need to). If your dress is already at your desired length, skip this step.
Decide how short you want your dress to be (based on comfort and accuracy to the original). Mark a few inches off the bottom and cut. Sew or use fabric tape to hem the bottom and give it a clean, finished look.
Step 2: Add Flare to the Bottom
Cut a slit at the bottom of each side of the dress. Then cut the excess fabric (if you have any from shortening the dress) into triangular panels to add to the sides at the bottom of the dress. This will give it a flared, structured look.
Attach the panels by sewing them to the sides of the dress.
Step 3: Create the Asymmetrical Neckline Collar
For Uhura’s signature neckline, we’re using some leftover black fabric scraps to create the asymmetrical collar:
Measure and cut the fabric: Using the black fabric, cut a piece that fits along the neckline, making sure it’s wide enough to recreate the asymmetrical collar.
Attach the collar: Clip and sew or glue the fabric along the neckline to complete this part of the look.
Step 4: Add Ribbon to Sleeves
Cut pieces of gold ribbon to wrap around the bottom of the sleeves. Use fabric glue to attach the ribbon for a secure hold.
Step 5: DIY Starfleet Insignia
Even though I went with The Next Generation-style Starfleet insignia for my look, it still works! Cut out a small piece of fabric or use felt to create the Starfleet symbol. I used metallic vinyl for that extra shine. Pin or glue the insignia onto the chest area for the final touch.
Step 6: Accessorize
No Uhura outfit is complete without some classic black tights and knee-high boots (I thrifted mine from Goodwill, too!), so I finished off the look with these accessories.
And That’s the Final Look!
I hope you love this DIY Uhura dress as much as I do! This project was quick, budget-friendly, and sustainable—all thanks to my local Goodwill. It’s always so satisfying to upcycle pre-loved items into something new and iconic.
Be sure to check out your local Goodwill for your next DIY project, and let me know in the comments what you come up with. Live long and prosper. 🖖
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