If you’re a die-hard Star Wars fan, you’ve probably noticed that at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, Lando Calrissian is wearing what looks like Han Solo’s iconic clothes.
It’s one of those small but memorable details that fans have been debating for years. Was it intentional? A costume error? Or something deeper?
As it turns out, there are several intriguing explanations for this choice—both in-universe and from the perspective of the film’s production team.
I’ve gathered the most compelling reasons, from practical to symbolic.
Without further ado.
Table of Contents
In-Universe Explanation: A Quick Getaway with Limited Wardrobe Options
From an in-universe perspective, Lando’s choice to wear Han’s clothes can be seen as a practical move rather than a symbolic one.
After Lando betrayed the Empire, he needed to escape Cloud City quickly. With no time to pack his own clothes or belongings, he essentially boarded the Millennium Falcon with nothing but the clothes on his back.
This meant he had to make do with whatever was available on the ship.
Since Han had spent years calling the Falcon his home, it’s reasonable to think he would have kept a few spare outfits on board.
Han’s signature style—a white shirt, black vest, and dark trousers—is simple and utilitarian, fitting for someone who lives a life on the run.
His minimalist style would lend itself to having multiple versions of the same outfit on hand, just like how some pilots and soldiers keep backup uniforms.
Behind the Scenes: Planning for a Possible Replacement
One big reason we see Lando wearing Han’s clothes comes down to real-world logistics. When The Empire Strikes Back was being filmed, the production team wasn’t entirely sure if Harrison Ford would return for Return of the Jedi.
Unlike some of the other main cast members, Ford hadn’t signed on for the entire trilogy, which left the team uncertain about Han’s future. I think as a backup plan, they subtly positioned Lando as someone who could take over if Ford decided not to return for the final film.
And here’s something interesting I found from Phil Szostak, Lucasfilm’s creative art manager—he revealed why Ford didn’t commit to multiple films upfront. Ford himself explained:
“In the beginning, I didn’t sign a contract with an option for a second film, because I’d been tied up in studio contracts before,” referring to his early experiences at Columbia and Universal. “I wasn’t going to make that mistake again. And I didn’t discuss doing the second one before the first had been in release for a while, but when we came together, I had no difficulty deciding I would do part two. In fact, I was happy to do it again because I thought I could do it better. I also felt I had a moral obligation.”
So from Ford’s point of view, we can now understand why Lando was in Han’s clothes. It really seems like Lando was set up to replace Han Solo in case Ford didn’t return to Star Wars.
According to John Mollo, “It Didn’t Mean Anything”
For those who prefer a straightforward answer, there’s also a practical reason for Lando’s outfit choice.
John Mollo, the costume designer for The Empire Strikes Back, reportedly explained that the decision to put Lando in Han’s clothes “didn’t mean anything.”
At a New Orleans Comic-Con in 2011, the host shared that Mollo’s intent was purely functional—there was no hidden symbolism behind the wardrobe change.
Mollo’s aim was likely just to ensure continuity and make Lando’s integration into the crew feel natural without introducing a totally new look.
But here’s where things get interesting: even seemingly simple choices like this can end up gaining depth over time as fans interpret them.
As the Star Wars Made Easy book explains, “It’s been suggested that the outfit is the remnant of a flight uniform, and so a natural choice for any pilot. But really, what better way for the filmmakers to suggest that Han is really gone than to set Lando up in his replacement, complete with his ship and fashion sense?”
