The Costumes of Padmé Amidala
Green Robe: Revenge of the Sith
Padmé’s most popular costume from episode III is ironically one with the least screen time. In a deleted scene where she meets with a group of senators in her apartment, Padmé wears a dress made of heavy green velvet. The long, flaring sleeves and hood give the gown more of a robe-like appearance. A wide purple sash is fastened in her under-breast area; the high-waisted effect of the sash partnered with the fullness of the skirt give her a wide silhouette which effectively hides her pregnancy. There are also purple Naboo insignias burned into the velvet along the full length of the dress. This was accomplished using a process known as devoré, which uses acid to mark the fabric. The look is completed with a jeweled brooch at her chest, and a graceful hairstyle of tight curls. Overall, this ensemble is very simple and elegant. The costume, with the exception of the hood, closely resembles a houppelande: a sumptuous and weighty outer garment worn in Northern Europe in the late 15th century. It’s very likely the designers took inspiration from this historical dress for this particular costume.
