Discover the Top10 Disney-Era Star Wars Costumes!

It’s astonishing to think that Disney acquired the rights to Star Wars over a decade ago, and since then, they’ve been rapidly expanding the Star Wars universe with new adventures. The first film release after The Clone Wars movie was The Force Awakens in 2015. Since then, there’s been a continuous flow of content on both big and small screens. While not every new adventure has been universally adored, they all seem to capture the essence of Star Wars’ unique design philosophy: a mix of grandiose extravagance and understated simplicity. Although the days of Padmé swiftly changing outfits from one scene to another may be behind us, Disney-era Star Wars costumes continue to captivate with their stunning visuals.

Michael Kaplan inherited the role of primary costume designer for the Star Wars series from Trisha Biggar (who has recently contributed to Outlander). He designed the costumes for the Sequel Trilogy, with different designers handling the work since then. For instance, The Mandalorian and Andor have distinct aesthetics, unlike The Acolyte; however, they all fall under the broader category of ‘Star Wars’ style, as they explore unique periods and worlds within this universe. Here are the top 10 standout costumes from Disney-era Star Wars productions – including both films and TV shows – regardless of their overall reception.

Honorable Mention: Leia Organa (Obi-Wan Kenobi)

In recent Star Wars productions such as Andor excluded, the costumes have appeared quite practical or disappointingly different from iconic Star Wars styles. This was also true for Obi-Wan Kenobi, where the familiar outfits, including that of Obi-Wan and the Tatooine residents, were worn repeatedly. Even characters like Bail and Breha Organa seemed less stylish compared to their appearance in Revenge of the Sith. Moses Ingram as Reva delivered a brilliant performance, yet her armor felt like a feminine version of Stormtrooper gear. However, the presence of young Leia offered a glimmer of hope, hinting at the possibility that she inherits her mother’s wardrobe. Her green outfit, reminiscent of her camouflage in Endor, was the best, and all her costumes seemed to suggest the mature, stylish yet serious woman she would become. The costumes for Obi-Wan Kenobi were designed by Suttirat Anne Larlarb.

10. Grogu’s robes (The Mandalorian)

If you’ve ever played with one of the life-size Grogu toys, it’s clear: his costume feels cozy and offers more intrigue than it initially appears (it’s surprisingly complex!). There’s a reason so many hearts have been captivated by Grogu – his cuteness is undeniable, and his costume only adds to this charm. Unlike the robes Yoda wore on Dagobah, which were more conventional ‘Jedi attire’, Grogu’s costume is reminiscent of a snug winter coat… with a wool collar? The collar might be the standout feature, as it transforms his garment from plain fabric to something fashionable for our little gremlin-like character. It’s clear that he feels comfortable in it! Grogu always seems somewhat at ease with himself, given he’s a galactic foundling, which is quite remarkable! The costumes for Grogu, as well as those for The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka, were thoughtfully designed by the late Shawna Trpcic.

9. Poe and Finn’s Shared Jacket (The Force Awakens & The Last Jedi)

It’s quite remarkable how Poe Dameron (played by Oscar Isaac) managed to set a ship in motion just by giving it up along with his worn-out leather jacket. During the events of The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, Finn (John Boyega) kept Poe’s jacket, donned it himself, and even got it fixed. However, he discarded it in The Last Jedi when he needed to masquerade as an Imperial officer. Unfortunately, the jacket was never seen again, which some fans believe is a significant factor contributing to their disappointment with the sequel trilogy.

In a playful manner, I was joking earlier. However, let me assure you, Poe’s jacket was truly exceptional, just like “The Force Awakens” itself. It underscored that the tradition of using costumes to reveal character traits remained in “Star Wars,” and it provided a heartwarming interaction between two characters who eventually proved to be an excellent team. Even the minor details on the jacket were appealing, enhancing Poe’s image as the top pilot in the galaxy with that attire. He exudes confidence!

8. Admiral Holdo’s Gown (The Last Jedi)

Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern) wasn’t the most impactful one-appearance Rebel/Resistance character, as her elaborate gown seemed out of place among everyone else in uniforms and combat gear. However, it might be appropriate in her home world (Gatalenta), considering there are many diverse cultures within Star Wars who value unique fashion, like we’ve seen with Mon Mothma on Andor.

In essence, Holdo is depicted as a contemporary of Leia’s, often presenting a striking contrast in style. While Leia usually opts for practical clothing (with exceptions), Holdo’s attire leans towards color coordination, which I find quite captivating. If you delve into her backstory (introduced in The Last Jedi and expanded upon in tie-ins), Holdo is indeed a fascinating character. Her outfit aligns perfectly with her persona! It’s refreshing to see more female leaders in Star Wars, but it’s unfortunate that her design as a character is the main thing people remember about her.

7. The Armorer & Her Furs (The Mandalorian)

Throughout “The Mandalorian” series, its spin-offs “The Book of Boba Fett” and “Ahsoka”, an abundance of Mandalorian armor is showcased. Given that the intricate Mandalorian culture was primarily developed from Boba Fett’s brief appearances in the Original Trilogy, and further expanded with Jango Fett’s introduction in the Prequels, it seems as though they are making up for the limited screen time of these characters previously. There’s no denying that Mandalorian armor is quite stylish!

Among all of them, Boba Fett’s design from the Original Trilogy is arguably the most iconic, yet Din Djarin’s armor, while functional, doesn’t particularly stand out in terms of showcasing his character’s unique perspective on the world. Bo-Katan’s armor, designed for pre-Disney animation shows, isn’t included here. This leaves us with the intriguing Armorer. She’s shrouded in mystery, and her first appearance in “The Mandalorian” suggested a fresh, unexplored territory. Now, even the Mandalorians on screen are starting to differentiate themselves distinctly from one another.

Note: The emphasis is mine for better clarity.

6. The Denizens of Canto Bight (The Last Jedi)

Among my favorite aspects of the Prequel Trilogy is how extravagant they were with costumes during group scenes. In a time when many of these characters might simply be computer-generated images today, Trisha Biggar and her team really pulled out all the stops, resulting in the memorable character Blue Lucas.

In Canto Bight’s extravagant casino scenes filled with flamboyantly dressed high-rollers, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu – it was as if the opulence had been plucked straight from the Ascot scene in the 1964 film adaptation of My Fair Lady. Indeed, it appeared as though someone envisioned a cosmic realm where the fashion genius behind My Fair Lady’s costumes, none other than space Cecil Beaton, reigned supreme. Frankly, I can’t get enough of that over-the-top atmosphere; it’s pure prequel energy at its finest!

5. Cobb Vanth (The Mandalorian)

Hello there, starry-skied outlaw! Cobb Vanth, portrayed by Timothy Olyphant, may not don a conventional cowboy hat, but a cowboy he certainly is. Making his debut in the Season 2 premiere of The Mandalorian, this character catches the eye with some distinct features: first, he pilfered some armor from Boba Fett; second, he sports an intriguing little red bandana. He’s quite the looker! When he later discards Boba Fett’s armor, there’s a noticeable change: he appears less menacing, leaner, and more ravenous. Truth be told, traditional Star Wars male attire isn’t exactly abundant; we’ve seen plenty of it already. But Cobb stands out with his vibrant choice of colors on the desert planet of Tatooine! If he weren’t so stylish, he’d still earn extra points for that daring color palette alone.

4. General Leia Organa Solo’s Mourning Robes (The Last Jedi)

Leia’s outfits in the Sequel Trilogy didn’t often match the elegance of her costumes from the Original Trilogy (and even Obi-Wan Kenobi), but her attire in The Last Jedi stands as an exception. In The Force Awakens, she appeared more work-casual than glamorous; however, in The Last Jedi, she donned a costume that was fitting for her motherly status and featured a really stylish collar to enhance it.

In a poignant and fitting manner, she seemed to embrace her role as a seasoned matriarch, also acknowledging the many lives she’d lost along the journey. The attire she dons appears reminiscent of mourning garb for a tough-as-nails spacewoman of advanced years. The late, deeply admired Carrie Fisher carries this ensemble with grace; her portrayal in The Rise of Skywalker was largely composed of outtakes from The Force Awakens, making this costume the final one she wore as the iconic stylish rebel princess she brought to life all the way back in 1977.

3. Lando Calrissian’s Younger Look (Solo: A Star Wars Story)

Deciding among Leia’s costume from “The Last Jedi,” Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, and the younger Lando from “Solo” was quite a challenge for this spot! However, the youthful portrayal of Lando in “Solo” ended up taking the prize. While Donald Glover was already an excellent choice for the role, his costume in the movie perfectly captures an earlier version of the iconic style worn by Billy Dee Williams in “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” This outfit feels authentic to Lando’s persona, just a bit before his debut in canon, where he was known as one of the coolest characters in the galaxy. It’s a refreshing update while staying true to its roots. And oh, those vibrant colors! They truly stand out.

2. Director Orson Callan Krennic and his cape (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story)

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’ve always admired the drama, grandeur, and intricate detail that goes into every film. However, when it comes to Krennic from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, his aesthetic choices left even the stalwart Edna Mode questioning her “No capes!” mantra. It seemed as though Krennic took inspiration from Darth Vader’s cape and decided he needed one too, much to the chagrin of Disney’s fashion gurus. The fact that the architect behind the original Death Star was a bit of a diva came as both a surprise and a delight to fans when the film hit theaters in 2016.

Ben Mendelsohn played a character, Krennic, who was developed since the early stages of Rogue One, even before Disney took over Star Wars. He embraced the tradition that Imperial officers should be intriguing rather than one-dimensional. Krennic expanded on the idea of Imperial officers constantly vying for power, taking it to new levels. In A New Hope, Tarkin, who only made a brief appearance, was clearly the leader; other Imperial officers on the Death Star were seen squabbling beneath him. Rogue One revealed that Tarkin had his own rivalries. Unlike most Imperial officers and leaders who wore gray or black, Tarkin donned white, adding to his flamboyant style. This is a reflection of the lavish excess that the Disney era of Star Wars has brought forward from the Prequels. Costumes for both Rogue One and Solo were collaboratively designed by Glyn Dillon and Dave Crossman.

1. Mon Mothma’s Wardrobe (Andor)

Without a doubt, Andor boasts the most impressive costuming from Disney’s Star Wars era. It not only introduces various worlds and cultures, but also enhances iconic characters like Mon Mothma with long-overdue design updates. In Rogue One, Genevieve O’Reilly reprised her role as Mon Mothma, yet the design leaned towards her original look from Return of the Jedi rather than building on her character development in Revenge of the Sith.

In season one of “Andor”, costume designer Michael Wilkinson created an exceptional wardrobe for Mon Mothma’s character, which stands out as one of the best in terms of character costumes; it’s intriguing to see how her style will evolve in season two. We’re curious to learn more about why she transitions from Coruscant-influenced Chandrilan fashion to traditional cultural attire. Mothma’s wardrobe aligns with the status of a Senator, whereas Padmé’s attire as a Senator was breathtaking but didn’t always reflect her actual duties. Instead of dressing like a legislator, Padmé often appeared like a queen, while Mothma appears ready for negotiations or deal-making, even in formal attire.

2025-04-06 01:13