Clothes Encounters

Face it, you just can't envision what will be without considering what we'll wear. An appropriately futuristic wardrobe is essential to any self-respecting work of science fiction. And the fashions of the future can be as visionary as the worlds they reflect. Case in point: What was The Fifth Element if not a showcase for Jean-Paul Gaultier's edgy designs? Downside is, sometimes the future doesn't age well. Not even the Force could make Princess Leia's cinnamon-bun 'do seem chic now.

To gauge how much of the once radical has turned into the forever ridiculous, we assembled a panel of experts to evaluate the visions of futures past. Our judges: designer Todd Oldham; actress Nichelle Nichols, a.k.a. Star Trek's Uhura; costume designer Sanja Milkovic Hays, who worked on the upcoming Star Trek: Insurrection; Samira Nasr, market editor for Allure; and Hugo-winning novelist Orson Scott Card (Homebody). Their verdict...

Barbarella

Of this cheeky peekaboo getup, Oldham raves, ''Lucite, space panty hose, and Jane Fonda: perfection.'' Card says it's ''a timeless classic...at least in the dreams of 12-year-old boys.'' But Nichols disses the look: ''It's like two grapefruits and a pregnant melon.''

Critic/Grade
Card: C+
Hays: A
Nasr: A
Nichols: D
Oldham: A+
Average: B

Lost in Space

These mellow-yellow T-necks and velour two-pieces draw praise from most of our panel. ''Very cool. Barbie and Ken meet Austin Powers!'' says Hays. ''Very Miu Miu,'' says Nasr, while Oldham exclaims, ''Velour rules!'' Card disagrees: ''No, sorry. Not in any future.''

Critic/Grade
Card: F
Hays: B
Nasr: A
Nichols: A
Oldham: A-
Average: B-

Aelita, Queen of Mars

The circular headdress and accessorized slip dress remind Nichols of ''Minnie Mouse with a doughnut belly protector.'' Nasr notes ''there are a few fashion editors who still look like this.'' But Hays sums it up as ''way too silly.''

Critic/Grade
Card: A
Hays: F
Nasr: B
Nichols: B+
Oldham: D
Average: C

Devil Girl From Mars

Head-to-toe black isn't always chic. Nichols jabs, ''This looks like Joan Crawford with a leather fetish.'' But Oldham applauds the ''genius hat for eliminating bad space-hair days.'' And Nasr raves: ''Great eyebrows and perfect mouth.''

Critic/Grade
Card: A-
Hays: D
Nasr: A+
Nichols: D
Oldham: B+
Average: B-

Battlestar Galactica

Lookers or losers? The Battlestar boys' camel brown suede uniforms divide our panel. Nichols loves that they wear ''just the right jewelry'' with the buttery ensemble, but Hays dismisses the look as ''space cowboys.''

Critic/Grade
Card: B
Hays: D
Nasr: F
Nichols: A+
Oldham: C-
Average: C

Logan's Run

This dress drew shudders from Card: ''I have trouble believing in a future where people dress like upholstery.'' Not so, says Nasr. ''She looks amazing! All she needs is a pair of heels.'' Oldham agrees, ''She's the embodiment of 1972 space chic — [like] Pat Nixon by the pool on a singles' cruise.''

Critic/Grade
Card: D
Hays: B
Nasr: C+
Nichols: A+
Oldham: A
Average: B