Movies Gallery Iconic Star Wars looks that defined a galaxy far, far away By C. Molly Smith C. Molly Smith C. Molly Smith is the former assistant editorial manager at Entertainment Weekly. She left EW in 2019. EW's editorial guidelines and Mary Sollosi Mary Sollosi Mary Sollosi is the former assistant features editor at Entertainment Weekly. She left EW in 2022. EW's editorial guidelines Updated on December 17, 2019 07:07PM EST Trending Videos Close this video player 01 of 17 May the Fierce be with you Everett Collection (2); David James/©Lucasfilm 2015 It's been a long time since we first visited a galaxy far, far away, but the power of Star Wars has kept hold of our imaginations for decades. Among the countless indelible images that the space-epic super-series has given us is the otherworldly wardrobe, from Jakku rags to Naboo finery to… well, a gold bikini. Ahead of the conclusion of the Skywalker Saga in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (in theaters Dec. 20), read on for the intergalactic looks that have defined the franchise. [This gallery was originally published Nov. 21, 2015, and most recently updated Dec. 17, 2019.] 02 of 17 Princess Leia Organa Lucasfilm Episode IV: A New Hope (left), Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (center), Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (right) Don't let her white attire fool you — Carrie Fisher’s fierce, fearless Princess Leia was never afraid to get her hands dirty in the fight against the Empire. The biggest departure from her normally demure style? Episode VI’s jaw-dropping "Slave Leia" bikini, which she donned when captured by the slug-like crime lord Jabba the Hutt. The ensemble, which included a collar and chains, sold at auction for $96,000 in 2015. 03 of 17 Luke Skywalker Lucasfilm Episode IV: A New Hope "The characters must always appear credible," Episode IV and V costume designer John Mollo tells EW. "They must look as if they have got up that morning and put on what they wore the day before." 04 of 17 Darth Vader Lucasfilm Episode IV: A New Hope If a film series is only as great as its villain, it's no wonder Star Wars remains a landmark saga today. Darth Vader terrorized Rebel forces with his towering frame (courtesy of actor and bodybuilder David Prowse) and his sonorous voice (courtesy of James Earl Jones). His intimidating all-black wardrobe was inspired by concept drawings from legendary artist Ralph McQuarrie and World War I and Nazi armor, as well as samurai influences. It was created on a budget of just $1,173, according to starwars.com. 05 of 17 Stormtroopers Lucasfilm Episode IV: A New Hope The distinctive white body armor of the Imperial Stormtroopers (created from vacuum-formed plastic) stood in sharp contrast to Vader's black garb. The boots were originally black but were painted over with white shoe dye, according to a post for the Smithsonian’s Rebel, Jedi, Princess, Queen: Star Wars and the Power of Costume exhibit. "A lifetime of studying uniforms was a great help," Mollo tells EW, addressing the creation of the Stormtroopers and beyond. 06 of 17 Lando Calrissian Courtesy Everett Collection; Lucasfilm Ltd. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (left), Solo: A Star Wars Story (right) The faraway galaxy’s original fashion plate (step aside, Amidala), Lando has dressed with panache whether played by Billy Dee Williams, stylish in sky blue in the original trilogy, or Donald Glover, who modeled various luxurious pieces from Lando’s extensive cape closet in 2018’s Han Solo-centric prequel. 07 of 17 Padmé Amidala Lucasfilm Episode I: The Phantom Menace (left, right), Episode II: Attack of the Clones (center) Natalie Portman's Padmé enjoyed an array of styles in the prequel trilogy, but her Episode I appearance, inspired by Mongolian bridal culture, was unquestionionably the most dramatic. "My friends and parents were all freaked out by seeing me in the makeup and the huge headpieces and the gowns," Portman told EW in 1999. "But they were wonderful, even though they weren't the most comfortable." The film’s chief makeup artist, Paul Engelen, adapted the aforementioned inspiration to Portman’s features, which he thinks "gave her a very particular look not seen on screen before." 08 of 17 Darth Maul Lucasfilm Episode I: The Phantom Menace Emperor Palpatine’s sinister apprentice, Darth Maul (Ray Park) struck fear into his enemies with a double-bladed lightsaber and his monstrous painted visage. “I developed the black-and-red design… from some of George’s [Lucas] impressions,” says Engelen. “The original thought was a crown of thorns, but I wanted to have them integrated into the skull.” All together, Maul looked the part of a fierce opponent for Qui Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). 09 of 17 Aayla Secura Lucasfilm Episode II: Attack of the Clones Jedi Aayla Secura appears only briefly, but her midriff-baring costume — which shows off her striking blue skin — made a serious impression. It took hours to transform then-Industrial Light & Magic production assistant Amy Allen for the role. 10 of 17 Anakin Skywalker Lucasfilm Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Hayden Christensen’s Anakin might wear the same floor-length hooded robe as the other members of his order, but the flecks of fire in his eyes reveal his dark-side allegiance. “The transition into the dark side was where I was wanting to go from the very get-go,” Christensen says in a featurette, "The Chosen One," from the Episode III DVD (also available here). “I wasn’t really sure at the time why I was being asked to pull back, but now I understand it’s because it has to take place at very specific points in this film.” 11 of 17 Kylo Ren Lucasfilm Episode VII: The Force Awakens Swathed in black — a long, flowing cloak, military-style boots, features concealed by an intimidating mask — villain Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) seems reminiscent of a certain Imperial leader. That's no accident. "The design was meant to be a nod to the Vader mask," director J.J. Abrams told EW. "He's a very isolated character and it’s a way of, I think, keeping people at arm’s length," adds costume designer Michael Kaplan. 12 of 17 Rey Lucasfilm Episode VII: The Force Awakens Desert scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) dresses for the arid climes of the planet Jakku in weathered shades of khaki. Kaplan says her garments are chiefly functional. "Everything that she has is basically something that is useful to her," he says, citing the long scarf that crisscrosses her body (good protection against sandstorms) as one example. "It's not just adornment." 13 of 17 Finn and Poe Dameron David James/©Lucasfilm 2015; David James/u00A9Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Lucasfilm Ltd./Courtesy Everett Collection Episode VII: The Force Awakens Even in a galaxy far, far away, best friends share their clothes. Finn (John Boyega) kept this hip leather jacket belonging to Poe (Oscar Isaac) after he thought his new rebel friend had bit the Jakku dust; once they’re reunited, however, the headstrong pilot is happy to let his ex-Stormtrooper pal keep it. 14 of 17 Han Solo Lucasfilm Episode VII: The Force Awakens Harrison Ford’s white shirt and worn leather jacket recall his Star Wars origins. “Harrison, I think, liked the familiarity of bringing back things that he had worn before, but updating them so it was very clear that 30 years had passed,” Kaplan says. He continues, speaking to the overall look and the update, "He's kind of a cowboy, and the new jacket is cut almost like a Levi's jean jacket." 15 of 17 Poe Dameron David James/Lucasfilm Ltd. Episode VII: The Force Awakens Poe always looks fly (sorry) in his orange X-wing pilot jumpsuit. 16 of 17 Orson Krennic Jonathan Olley/Lucasfilm Ltd. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Rogue One’s band of outcasts weren’t the most stylish of Star Wars characters — but the film’s villain (Ben Mendelsohn) cut a striking figure in a white, caped Imperial uniform worn as Director of Advanced Weapons Research. 17 of 17 Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo David James/©2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. Episode VIII: The Last Jedi Laura Dern’s heroic Vice Admiral Holdo represents “stereotypes about women bosses,” Dern told EW, and she “doesn’t particularly look like your typical military leader,” Oscar Isaac pointed out. The apparent incongruity was intentional. “I think it’s beautifully subversive,” Dern said of the Holdo’s regal, glamorous look. “Everyone was painstaking about not only the look, but even the exact color of hair.”