From A New Hope (1977). Image via Lucasfilm/Disney/20th Century Fox
5. Princess Leia
Speaking of white, draped fabrics as we did with Luke, this is apparently a traditional Alderaanian royal family gown (Dressing a Galaxy 113). Although the entire idea of a gown tells us quickly that this is someone important, it doesn’t trip her up at all when she grabs a blaster. In other words, Leia does not need pants to shoot people. (Spot the boots she’s got on underneath. Those are boots that get things done.)
As for the cinnamon buns, this hairstyle has become one of the most recognizable from Star Wars overall, and it actually ended up influencing Padmé Amidala’s in the prequel trilogy (113).
The white also visually ties her to people like Admiral Ackbar and Mon Mothma, other Rebel leaders. It makes her stand out when she’s in the hands of the Imperials, as well, and not just because Carrie Fisher is significantly shorter than pretty much everyone else in the room. She’s not one of them at all.
If you think about Princess Leia, you probably think about this outfit, or about one more that has a place on this list. This is how we meet her: beautiful and mysterious, especially when she wears her hood early in ANH.