When A New Hope first hit theaters, we were all blown away by how fresh and exciting everything felt—the characters, the story, and of course, the way everyone looked.
It’s amazing how much a character’s appearance tells us about who they are, right?
Take Obi-Wan Kenobi, for example. If you remember, his simple robes in A New Hope made him look like just another local on Tatooine, someone who’s been living in the desert for years.
But if you really think about it, those robes kind of look like what we later came to know as Jedi robes.
So here’s the question: was Obi-Wan still wearing his Jedi robes while in exile, or was he just blending in with the people of Tatooine?
Kenobi’s Clothing Was Designed to Blend In with Tatooine Locals
The first thing we need to understand about Obi-Wan Kenobi’s story is that A New Hope takes place nearly 20 years after Order 66.
By this time, the Jedi are almost completely wiped out. Any surviving Jedi had to keep a low profile because the Empire would hunt them down the moment they were discovered.
In Obi-Wan’s case, he’s been hiding for years, not just from the Empire, but from the guilt he feels for how things turned out.
He believes it’s his failure to train Anakin that led to the galaxy’s downfall, which makes his exile on Tatooine even more personal. It’s not just about surviving—it’s about carrying the weight of the past.
Now, when it comes to Obi-Wan’s outfit in A New Hope, it’s important to remember where he is. Tatooine is a harsh desert planet, so it makes sense that his clothes are practical for that environment.
The loose, sand-colored robes help protect him from the heat during the day and keep him warm at night. They’re not flashy—they’re simple, rugged, and perfect for blending in with the locals.
People like Owen Lars, a moisture farmer, or the traders wandering around all wore similar, functional outfits suited to the desert life.
Here’s something interesting: when A New Hope was being filmed, the concept of the Jedi was actually quite different from what we know now.
Originally, George Lucas imagined them with a very military look, but it didn’t really fit with how Obi-Wan and Luke were supposed to be seen.
So, the costume designer suggested making the Jedi look more like Tatooine moisture farmers, and that’s how we ended up with Obi-Wan’s iconic desert robes.
The idea that Obi-Wan’s robes in A New Hope were just a way for him to blend in with the locals becomes even clearer when we look at some additional context from the Star Wars comics.
In the old Marvel Star Wars comics, we actually get a different view of how the Jedi looked during the time of the Republic.
For example, in one of the comic issues, we see Obi-Wan Kenobi when he was still a Jedi Master. And guess what? He’s wearing a completely different outfit—fully black.
When you look at the image from the comic, does it remind you of anything? It looks a lot like what Luke wore in Return of the Jedi, doesn’t it?
This gives us a glimpse into what George Lucas may have originally envisioned for the Jedi’s appearance, and why Luke’s black outfit reflects that idea
So when we see “Ben” Kenobi in A New Hope wearing those simple robes, it’s even more obvious that this isn’t a Jedi uniform at all.
It’s just practical clothing, perfect for blending in with the locals on Tatooine, far from his days of being a Jedi Master in the heart of the Republic.
Why Did Jedi Robes Become the Official Look?
So, why did the simple desert robes we see on Obi-Wan in A New Hope eventually become the official Jedi outfit in the prequels?
Well, part of it comes down to George Lucas’ evolving vision for the Jedi Order. When Lucas began developing the prequel trilogy, he chose to stick with the design of Obi-Wan’s robes to visually tie the Jedi back to the iconic character fans first met.
By doing this, the robes became symbolic of the Jedi’s humble, monk-like nature, aligning with their philosophy of peace and self-discipline.
Also, Lucas was known to focus much more on bigger elements like creatures, ships, and world-building rather than the finer details of character outfits.
The fact that the Sith and Jedi often appear to wear similar robes was likely not an intentional design choice, but rather a byproduct of this focus.
So in a way, the similarity in their clothing may have been an oversight, blending practical costume choices with the broader visual storytelling.