There's so much to learn about this braiding and its function...We all know it was to signify rank..We know it was left over embroidery from the "10 Commandments"..We also know that the swirls or as I call them the worms...(just a joke between friends)were reversed during the 1st season...But I thought I'd Indulge you in a fandom history of this braid...
In the first picture we have a standard straight braid..We People of the early 70s were just happy to wear a gold shirt with a black collar,,It's what was out there..
Then we started to notice the braid had some wave to it..hence the "Ric-Rac"
The first commercially sold braid at conventions even remotely similar to the original was this
Then if I'm wrong correct me...Kathy Philsberry and Joe Kerezman in conjunction as JK2 costumers came out with this braid...As far as I am concerned still a wonderful 1st season braid..First licensed braid sold
Joe Ks new and improved Braid
With the height of Fan web based films a new braid was created from an original template drawing thus creating a virtual duplicate of the original which is currently being sold by Rodd.com
Other version of the template used By Starship Farragut.
So far..My assessment of the braids?..They're all good..We always look a gift horse in the mouth and in my opinion they are all accurate for the times..Do not ask me to choose which one is the best...Fact is...With out the few individuals I will mention below we'd still be wearing that old straight braid with ric-rac formed around it...My special thanks go to
Kathy and Joe for taking the time to actually duplicate this..
Joe for being an innovator to pay attention to detail and put out the first really cool braid
James Cawley and Phase II
Peter Christian, Scott Nakada and Eugene Roddenberry for actually selling their braid.
And my good friend John Broughton from Starship Farragut
If I left anyone out or got facts wrong please email me or call..you all have my number