Why do Jedi wear brown?

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

Why do Jedi wear brown? I remember hearing that Lucas had a specific reason for that choice and other things about the Jedi costume, but I don't know what it's referenced from. Does anyone know what interview(s) that either Lucas or Trish Biggar might have said something about their choices for the costume?

I maintain the index of Qui-Gon Jinn stories on theforce.net's fanfiction boards and it has a FAQ and I wanted to add something about his costume since that's a big interest of mine. My only reference right now is the 'Dressing A Galaxy' book, but I'm sure that there are others.

[Starkindler (The Naked Jedi)]

Don't remember, but they always seem to stick to earth tones....perhaps to identify with life and things organic?
That would hold true seeing the usual garb of the sith....blacks and reds for blood and death?

[Ky-Wan Zann]

*looks at his black boots and tabbards*
I'm not even gionna comment on good guys wear black comment.
I think so they somewhat all don't look like cookie cutter Jedi

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

Weeeellll, after ROTJ, Jedi probably wear all sorts of colors. But Lucas had a particular purpose for the Old Republic Jedi wearing brown tones, but I wonder what it was. Other than he was making a break from the black/white/gray color schemes of the OT. Luke's cloak in ROTJ was dark brown.......I wonder if that inspired Lucas's choice for browns for the Jedi in the prequels?

[Kryy Jacobi]

I expect that it was to contrast with the bright colors of the Senatorial and Royal costumes...

Ani, why don't you write Star Wars Insider and ask? Of course, it won't help unless they publish it who-knows-when, but it might be a way to get an "official" answer, if that's what you want.

[Lufta Shif]

My "real world" guess is that Obi in ANH was wearing earth tones (as many in the deserts of Tatooine do) and when his costume became the template of all Jedi costumes...presto! earth-tone Jedi costumes for everyone else in the saga.

My "SW universe" answer is it is the practical choice. Adaptable to a variety of terrain colors, neutral, and not-offending.

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

Thanks for the suggestions! That 'real world' suggestion sounds right to me. All the prequel costume designs for the Jedi had to be based on the original trilogy.

And I hadn't thought about the Insider, but I suppose it's worth a try.

[Stey Fann Jull]

I think, if you read Magical of the myth book, Lucas refer Jedi outfits like outfits from the anciant asia. Wise men wearing something who looks like a lot like Jedi outfits. I think Luke from ROTJ, it was an other story. Jedi outfits no more available or no more reference to check because the order is extinct. I guess.....

[JediKai]

I've waited to weigh in on this. I think brown as most monk's robes are traditionally brown. Lucas has referred to the Jedi as warrior monks. That brings in both European monastic as well as Asian traditions. The color is European monastic; the cut, as least of the tunics, is Asian. The cut of the (over) robe is very close to a European monk's robe, though.

[Stey Fann Jull]

i think its also on the era. Diffrent era, difrent costume and gear.

[Leda EmBorr]

Browns.. and earth tones.... are mentally associated with harmony with the planet... earth... hence, w\earth tones. Since the Jedi are supposed to be harmonious, it would seem silly to give them bold colrs... right? In history, bold colors are associated with richness and indulgence... or drugs...

[Olos Nay]

May 23, 2008 18:46:56 GMT -5 Leda EmBorr said:

In history, bold colors are associated with richness and indulgence... or drugs...

or EU... ;D

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

Thanks all for the suggestions! Brown does seem to be the most blendy-in color. I'm sure that the monk look is what Lucan wanted for Ben Kenobi in ANH and the prequels just extrapolated on that.

Luke's outfit in ROTJ really looks to me like what you would get with a fan making a costume without references. OTOH, maybe he did have references, but they pre-dated the Old Republic? Palpatine did his best to exterminate everything about the Jedi, but it's a big galaxy and there is no way he could have gotten everything.

I sort of wonder what the purpose of elements of the Jedi costume are? Like obi and tabbards? They're not very practical. Or are they just traditional? The robe I think would be just something generic to wear and be conspicuous in ..... though that droid in TPM spotted them right away, so there must be a lot of tradition to wearing the robe as well, since they obviously don't work too well for concealment.

The 'Magic of Myth' book is not available, but I'll see if I can find references for it.

[Xana]

When I put on the tabards, I often feel like a priest getting dressed for Mass. I suppose they are part of the traditional "priest" look. Luke's vest/tabard looks priestly, also. The obi is just like a cumberbund on the Kimonos. Plus, it makes wearing a utlity belt a little more comfy. I think.

As for the robe, everytime I get caught in the rain in costume, I know why Jedi have robes. They are protection from bad weather and such. Just imagine all the different worlds Jedi have to travel too. They often have nothing to sleep on when stuck in the wild, so they can curl up in their robes and use it like a blanket. It's why Leda and I made Fleece Jedi robes. They are nice blankies to sleep in. At least that's my opinion.

[Olos Nay]

I remember an episode of Clone Wars where Obi-Wan is sleeping in a rainy environment, protected by his robe...