 Robert Fletcher , costume designer for the previous Star Trek films , was responsible for The Search for Spock 's wardrobe . Fletcher 's job was to sketch outfits , choose the necessary fabrics , and complete the fittings for principal characters . He collaborated with costumer Jim Linn , who clothed extras and managed the logistics of cleaning , repairing , and tracking costumes . Most of the Starfleet uniforms had already been designed for the previous film , but Fletcher wanted to dress the main characters in civilian clothes . Fletcher developed a mythology behind each outfit ; the stone ornaments on Sarek 's robe , for instance , were intended to be representative of a Vulcan 's level of consciousness . The costumer had the advantage of access to Paramount 's store rooms , which contained literal tons of expensive fabrics . 
