The costumes of The Empire Strikes Back were a significant step on from the iconic outfits of A New Hope. Less focused on the strong silhouettes of the original film, the sequel featured more intricate and detailed clothing, designed once again by Oscar winning designer John Mollo.
StarWars.com take a look at these equally familiar outfits of the Rebel Alliance and the Empire.
Costumes, especially in a galaxy like Star Wars, help tell us what sort of world we’re being dropped into and — perhaps more importantly — who the characters are. After all, the look of Darth Vader’s imposing black armor stays in your mind long after the final credits roll. And without the signature look, Star Wars just wouldn’t be the same.
In the case of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, the costumes also give a sense of the evolution of characters like Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Leia Organa, while helping to show that time has passed since Star Wars: A New Hope. With the Yavin medal ceremony in the rearview mirror and the icy plains of Hoth rapidly approaching, let’s take a look back at some of the many ways that costumes evolved in The Empire Strikes Back.
