RIHANNSU - FASHION

Most Rihannsu males wear pants or slacks that are cut close to the body, and either soft shoes or boots. At formal occasions the house uniform may be worn unless the Rihanha is in the military, in which case a standard issue uniforms would be worn. Tunics and robes are a common form of casual wear among the Rihannsu people. Most Rihannsu woman wear the same styles as men but generally have a tendency towards more free-flowing garb. Dresses or robes are not uncommon among Rihannsu females but females in military service basically wear the same uniforms that men do.

Both sexes often wear robes alone or hung open on top of other outfits. Rihannsu tend towards earth tones and darker shades of other colors. Bright or eye-catching clothing is uncommon and considered socially quite radical. Most clothes are simply designed and functional in nature and decoration, when present, is usually embroidered into the clothing.

Rihannsu Uniforms

On this page, we will also be discussing Rihannsu manners of dress. As a young eredh seeking to move up in the world, it is important that you be able to impress your superiors, or at the very least not offend them, by dressing appropriately at all times. It is also essential that you be able to recognize the Empire's officers simply by their uniforms. Further, we will be discussing civilian clothing and uniforms for the Empire's major legions.

Phi'lasasam uniform

First, we will start with the Phi'lasasam uniform, since all eredhin are enrolled there presently. The uniform is a dark blue tunic with squared shoulders worn over black pants, with a black belt cinching it tight at the waist. On the left breast is the Phi'lasasam symbol: a triangle with a horizontal line at its top point and a galaxy above. Each level of Eredh at the Phi'lasasam has a different color sash: erei'Eredhin wear a white sash, Eredhin wear grey, and khre'Eredhin black. Note that the sash is worn hanging vertically on the right shoulder and tucked into the belt. The khre'Eredh also wears on his sash the emblem of the legion with which he has selected to train.

It is important that you be able to recognize the staff of the Phi'lasasam, since it is they you will be asking for help or exams. All full-time staff wear dark blue robes with colored trim. For vaed'Rehai the trim is white, for erei'Khoilmnriir it is gray, and for the Khoilmnriir it is black. On the left side of the robe is the Phi'lasasam emblem. Part-time staff, such as afweirrea, wear the uniform of the legion they serve in with the Phi'lasasam emblem embroidered into it.

The Phi'lasasam's uniform was modeled after the Galae uniform, which consists of a boxy silver-gray boxy tunic with a black sash tucked into a black belt that runs around the waist. The pants are a black colored cloth tucked into polished black boots at about mid-calf. On the sash is rank insignia and colored trim. The trim is determined by what division one serves in, as shown below. Note that the command staff includes the Riov, first officer, and second officer. Trim colors are as follows:

Navigation: Navy Blue
Helm: Maroon
Security: Olive Green
Engineering: Pale Gold
Communications: Dark Tan
Command: Grey
Reserves: Purple

If officers are in more than one department, they would have one color on one side, and the other color on the other side. Officers uncertain of a specific console assignment wear plain black. Pinned to the sash is your rank insignia, which we will discuss shortly. Finishing off the uniform is a pair of black pants tucked into black polished boots.

Tal Shiar UNIFORM

The next uniform to be discussed is that of the Tal Shiar. Again, it resembles the Galae and Phi'lasasam uniforms. However, it would be a deadly mistake to confuse a Tal officer for someone in another legion. Note now that the Tal Shiar uniform is identical to the Galae version with two exceptions: the tunic itself is gray-green in color and the sash is always solid back.

Kiith Mrevhoqq'ghi uniform

Next to be discussed is the Kiith Mrevhoqq'ghi uniform. Being the Rihannsu Empire's diplomatic corps, Kiith members must look their best when meeting representatives from other empires. The basic uniform consists of a crimson robe that is closed from the neck to the waist, flowing open from the waist down. Underneath the robe, black pants can be seen tucked into black boots. Sleeves of the robe extend all the way to the wrist. One important note is that lead ambassadors and the hru'Llaudh have silver trim around their uniform.

The Kiith also wear sashes over their right shoulder, tucked into belts at their waist. The colors of their sash indicate what assignment within the Kiith they have been given. On the occasion they are given more than one assignment, their primary assignment makes up the main color of the sash, while secondary assignments form a color trim. Mission colors are as follows:

Lloanna'mhrahel: Blue
Khell'loann-mhehorael: Red
Ferengi & Independents: Gold
Cardassians: Grey
Command: Silver
Kiith Diplomatic Courier: Green

For example, a Kiith member assigned to negotiate a treaty with the Federation who also serves as an engineering officer on the Kiith diplomatic courier would wear a blue sash with green trim.

Rank insignia in the Kiith are composed of silver and copper colored bands on the right wrist of their robes. The silver bands are thin, no more than 1/4 of an inch, while the copper bands are wider, about 1/2 inch.

This table shows how the band rank system works in the Kiith Mrevhoqq'ghi:

Prefix	-Auethnen	-Lleifven	-Llairhi
ne'	1 silver	1 copper & 1 silver	2 copper & 1 silver
No Prefix	2 silver	1 copper & 2 silver	2 copper & 2 silver
el'	3 silver	1 copper & 3 silver	2 copper & 3 silver
hru'	4 silver	1 copper & 4 silver

The hru'Llaudh would wear 3 copper bands and no silver bands.

Rihannsu Merchant Marine UNIFORM

Finally, if you decide to enter the Rihannsu Merchant Marine, you will not have to worry about the details of uniforms. Since the Rihannsu Merchant Marine is a more civilian oriented organization, though it does fall under the government's control, no specific uniform has been declared. Rihannsu Merchant Marine operatives may simply wear the insignia of the Rihannsu Merchant Marine on a pin or badge. Note that the Merchant Marine's responsibilities have been assumed for the time being by the Galae due to previous failures of the Merchant Marine to fulfill their duties, but this fact may change.

Before this discussion of uniforms concludes, it would be appropriate to discuss dressing for ceremonial occasions. Your uniform shows that you proudly serve the Empire. Therefore, it is considered quite appropriate on ceremonial occasions to show that loyalty by wearing your uniform, if you have one, in lieu of formal civilian clothes. The Rihannsu are a functional people, and do not have dress uniforms per se. However, on ceremonial occasions, hfihar cloaks can be worn to display family affiliation. These long, sweeping cloaks bear the insignia and colors of the hfihar whose name you bear. You should check with your hru'hfirh if you are uncertain as to what your hfihar's cloak looks like. If you are not so fortunate as to belong to a hfihar, no cloak is worn.

CIVILIAN CLOTHING

Moving on to civilian clothes, it is fairly evident that civilian clothes, as in any society, change as fashions progress, though perhaps trends change a little more slowly among Rihannsu, conservative as they are. If you are unsure as to what to wear to social situations, the rough guidelines at the beginning of this page will help you along.

Rihannsu clothing is primarily designed to be comfortable and to display the station of the wearer in society. While Rihannsu pay little attention to clothing beyond what it may describe officially about the wearer, unusual or overly ornate clothing may lower others' opinions of the Rihannsu wearing them. It is best to dress conservatively for more formal situations and to be cautious in your fashion selection.

From the former Trekmuse website http://www.trekmuse.org/romulan/

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Rihannsu Fashion

The three main sectors of the Republic all have their differing styles, in which the traditional and the modern seem to be constantly at odds, and are only now just beginning to merge together. Traditionally, the Rihannsu are very conservative in their style of dress, preferring to stay with plain, functional clothing that was the norm within the days of the Empire. However, with the ending of the civil war, the young people of the Republic have discovered the more radical (to the traditionalists) fashions of the Northern Sector of the Republic, and have slowly, much to the horror of their elders, started to adopt this newer style. The color pallet of the Romulan people hasn't changed as much as the rest of their fashions have. They still prefer the blacks, deep browns, darker greens, and light to dark gray hues of the older styles. Though it is not uncommon to see dark, almost midnight or cobalt blues, deep purples, and the darkest of reds. This is especially true of the attire preferred by females within the Western and Northern Sectors of the Republic.

	Western Sector: It is within the Western Sector of the Republic, including the twin-worlds of ch'Rihan and ch'Havran, that a revolution between the two styles (traditional and modern) is currently taking place. The elder Rihannsu still prefer the more traditional styles of the old Empire, and the common brown and gray robes of civilians and nobles are still the much preferred unisex mode of dress with the over 200-set. House uniforms are also still very much cherished, and can still be seen at the more formal occasions. However, the younger Rihannsu, have begun to cast aside the more traditional attire and no longer wear the common robes of their elders. These younger Rihannsu prefer the more form-fitting, gender-specific clothing of the North, and it is not uncommon to see them wear the more provocative styles in place of the more traditional House uniforms as well, despite the fact that their elders obviously do not approve. Young men tend to wear the more close-cut pants or slacks, either ankle-length to below mid-calf boots, and fitted tunics or jackets with either a mid or high collar. Capes may also be worn in both casual and formal attire by those of nobility. Perhaps the most radical change for the Republic is not so much the attire adopted by the younger men, but the fashion that was embraced by the young women. For it is these young women who have ultimately thrown out the old unisex style of the Empire, and have taken to wear the more figure-revealing dresses and casual wear of the North. It is not uncommon to see the young women of the Republic wearing form-fitting pants; loose-fitting blouses with or without embellishments; and ankle-length boots, or soft slipper-like shoes. Dresses are not an uncommon sight with the younger women either. Most of the dresses worn within the Western Sector are suitable for either day or evening. Two of the most popular styles are: long sleeved, off the shoulder, empire-waist, floor length gowns; and dresses that are long-sleeved, form fitting, and either knee or ankle length hemmed. Many females who are not in the military (or if they are, when they're not on duty) have begun to wear the newer fashions at every opportunity, much to the dismay of their elders.
	Northern Sector: The Northern Sector of the Republic is the center for all the fashion that has been the talk of controversy among the elders of the other sectors of the Republic. It is here at the planet ch'Revellion, with it's much harsher environment then either of the twin-worlds, that a more relaxed and provocative style was born. It is not uncommon to see both males and females with nothing on their feet, but beaded thongs for embellishment. The Men wear tunics or jackets in the colder seasons, and light-weight shirts, either long or no-sleeved during the hotter seasons. The attire for women is much more provocative here in the Northern Sector as well. The preferred dresses of the Western Sector females can be seen here often in the colder seasons, but the Northern Sector females most often prefer the mid-thigh skirts and dresses for the warmer seasons. One of the most popular styles of dresses are either sleeveless, or with halter-type straps that encircle the neck, back-less, and either with one or two side slits on the longer skirts, from either hem-to-mid-calf or hem-to-hip.
	Eastern Sector: The Eastern Sector of the Republic is the furthest out from either the twin-worlds or ch'Revellion, and is therefore still clinging very much to it's fundamentalist attitude. It is here that the more traditional attire is always worn. The brown and gray robes of casual wear still is the norm, House uniforms haven't changed since their first adoption; even the haircuts are still the same close-cropped ones from the days of the old Empire. One would be hard pressed to distinguish between the genders while in the Eastern Sector of the Republic.

Military uniforms

Romulan military uniforms are a strange lot. At one moment, they are as they were since the founding, very much the 'traditional' bland two-tone gray tunic type. At the other, they are almost more varied than civilian clothing. The reader should keep in mind that, while the following images and descriptions are accurate to the RSR's standard uniform set, the standard uniform set may not be actively used by everyone in the field.

In the case of the Galae, fleets, ships, and even individual units, which have been highly decorated by the Senate may wear uniforms and insignia of their own cut and colour. Also, many naval officers wear 'semi-formal' attire while on active duty. This is often simply a family sash, scarf, or even a house crest worn on the belt, but may be as elaborate as a full vest and sword riging.

In the Tal`Shiar, not only is there no official ruling on belt and jacket usage, but there is no ruling on the amount of 'non-standard' gear which an officer may carry on standard duty. So, more often than not, a Agency unit will have a very eclectic feel-- ranging in dress from shiny black leather body suits, to dull heavy black pants, to more metallic equipment than clothing at all.

Lastly, and perhaps most ironic as they represent the most traditional side of the Republic, the Rei`Krannsu has but one rule for uniform: the standard jacket (which doubles as light protective armor) must be worn at all times. Beyond this, vests, sashes, baggy pants, tight pants, half pants, high boots, short running shoes-- all are up to the discretion of the Legion, or if on a smaller scale, the CO, to decide.

Galae:
The Galae duty uniform consists of dark gray slacks, a gray, mid-collar tunic that is a shade or two lighter than the slacks, and ankle-length boots. Gone are the Y-shaped belts, or the over-the-shoulder belts. Instead a plain, black belt may be worn to hold a disruptor holster, and an honor-blade, if one wishes to carry them.

The dress uniform utilizes the standard duty uniform, but adds a finely-woven black and silver chain-mail shirt to go over the tunic. Senior officers may also use black capes as well. The capes may, or may not, be lined inside with the Officer's House-colors as well. The black boots for the dress uniform are mid-calf length.

The rank insignia for the Galae is worn on the left side of the mid-collar tunic for both duty and dress uniforms.

Tal`Shiar:
The Tal'Shiar's duty uniform consists of black slacks, black mid-calf boots, and a black high-collar tunic. The tunic has fine lines of gray that streak through the material from collar-to-bottom of the hem, and collar-to-cuff of the sleeves. The rank insignia is worn on both sides of the high-collar tunic for the duty uniform.

The dress uniform also utilizes the standard duty uniform, but adds an elaborately-designed jacket that fits over the standard high-collar tunic. This dress uniform jacket is black, the hem of which is longer than the tunic, almost like 'tails', and fastens in front with five silver plackets. There is silver trim on the shoulders, the cuffs of the sleeves, and the upper lapel of the collar. The rank insignia is worn on both lower edges of this upper lapel. A black, wide belt is worn over the jacket, with a slim over-the-shoulder belt as well. A black cape that fastens on the back of the shoulders may also be worn.

Rei`Krannsu:
The Rei'Krannsu duty uniform is comprised of black slacks, ankle-length boots, and a black jacket that opens and closes along the right side of the chest area. A slim belt may also be worn to carry a disruptor holster, an honor blade, or one of the various styles of swords, if one wishes to carry them.

This same uniform also serves as the dress uniform. The additions of a modernized silver helmet, a black and silver breastplate and a back half-cape that attaches to the left shoulder and drapes down over the back to attach to the right side of the belt makes up the dress uniform. The breastplate covers both the back and front of the uniform, and is comprised of a rather stiff material that is both heat and energy dispersing, and impact resistant. Often the Rei'Krannsu will also carry their various styles of swords while in dress uniform.

The rank insignia for the Rei'Krannsu is shown on the left sleeve of both the duty and dress uniforms, about an inch below the shoulder seam.

from the former site: http://www.romulanstarrepublic.org/society/fashion.html

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