Galactic Style Guide – Shirts II

Welcome back to another installment of the Galactic Style Guide! We’ll begin with a look at the very first style of shirt seen on-screen in a Star Wars film. This is essentially the same shirt as the double-breasted ‘Custer-style’ we looked at last time, only worn with both layers done up (usually). While I believe it is properly known as a ‘placket’ shirt, this type is commonly referred to in the costuming community as a ‘bib’ shirt. In order to follow Lucas’s ‘no fastenings’ rule, such shirts must be closed via snaps, hidden buttons, or Velcro – or else allowed to fall open and reveal a contrasting inner lining.

Along with the general lack of visible fasteners, another key element of the galactic aesthetic is a slight degree of asymmetry, and few garments embody both design elements like the tunic most frequently worn by officers of the Imperial Navy, Army, ISB, etc.; however, its use was not exclusive to space-fascists. As we see here, a navy blue version was worn in 32 BBY by the Republic’s Judicial Forces, a brighter blue jacket with gold trim was worn by Dannl Faytonni, while two Nimbanels seen in Mos Eisley in 0 BBY appear to wear this style in dark red. Both of the Republic’s final Supreme Chancellors wore this style of tunic/dress, as did Sio Bibble and Kitster Banai. Naboo fashion (both decorative and utilitarian) also includes asymmetrical elements.

Note that Wald’s tunic would appear to be a pullover with a round neckhole, yet a slight slit is still needed to allow the Rodian’s head to pass through; a rustic cloth button keeps things in place.
Several other styles of asymmetrical tunic have been worn throughout the galaxy’s history:

Note that all of these examples include visible fastenings of some sort! The top row I can let slide as they’re still ‘spacey’, but the buttons and zippers of the bottom row stick out like sore thumbs!

Is there any particular character who wears these styles? I’m always going back and adding new examples to old categories, so drop a comment below! Until next month…

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