49. Leia’s Celebration Gown
There are approximately five things that separate this from the other look Leia sports in ANH.
- It has a lower-cut neckline.
- The belt is fancier.
- She wears a silver collar and has a wrist cuff on.
- Her hairstyle is more elaborate.
- She has a shawl-cape instead of regular long sleeves.
That would be it, really. However, it closes out the first film in the franchise. Furthermore, it tells us that Leia is capable of looking more like a regular space princess instead of a space princess who calls people “flyboy” and wields a blaster with great aplomb. She can give out medals and everything. She even has an attached cape! Very regal.
Dressing a Galaxy actually quotes ANH costume designer John Mollo as saying that this outfit is simply a smarter version of the one she wears for the rest of the movie (53). We agree.
Notably, and in slightly more serious costuming notes, this hairstyle also presages later ones for our princess. Leia tends to wear more single or larger braids than even Padmé does; she goes back to the large braid as parts of costumes in TESB, ROTJ, and TFA as well.