I don’t know why but I got the thought in my head to make a post ranking all of Padme’s costumes. I thought it would be fun. It ended up being really hard, LOL. Because honestly there’s nothing I dislike. If given the chance I would make probably any of these. I think they are all pretty in their own way (except for… maybe like the 2 I listed last). So a lot of these rankings came down to just silly personal opinions.
And I’m not counting Clone Wars costumes or anything like that, only what Padawan’s Guide lists as Amidala/Padme costumes for Episodes I-III – including decoys and handmaidens that Padme either wore in disguise or her decoys wore as Amidala (and Padawan’s Guide is where all the pics came from, too!). So let’s start at the end and work my way to my top favs.
#38 – ROTS Hospital Gown
Ok obviously this is my least favourite, because it’s just a hospital gown. And she wore it while I was most frustrated with Padme’s storyline (as if she’d actually give up the will to live… whatever.)
#37 – AOTC Coruscant Nightgown
It’s another white gown, only this one comes off the shoulders, which makes it SLIGHTLY more interested than above.
#36 – ROTS Dressing Gown
This one is super similar to her AOTC dressing gown, but I like the AOTC one way more… and again I think the placement of this one is influenced by my frustration with Padme’s story arc.
#35 – ROTS Peacock Gown
Soooo yeah ROTS costumes takes up a lot of the lower space of this list. This one has some pretty elements, but put all together it just doesn’t do it for me. This actually was my favourite I’d seen pictures of before ROTS came out. Now it feels a little unjointed looking back on it. Back in like 2005ish I even had ideas to make it… but obviously I didn’t, and now it’s very unlikely to even come up as a maybe – unless I stumbled across absolutely perfect fabric somewhere.
#34 – TPM Flame Handmaiden
I know I’m putting this really far down on my list… I know a lot of people love it and I’ve seen some beautiful replicas. I think my personal aversion to the costume is just because it’s so orange and I hate orange. I told you this is totally just my silly opinions.
#33 – TPM Tatooine
See I’m already getting into costumes where I do actually like it – it’s just not my fav. I LOVE her hair in this costume. I love the blue shirt. The whole thing looks comfy and, actually like it would be a lot of fun to recreate. But it’s just not as exciting as so many of her other costumes.
#32 – TPM Battle Amidala
Some of TPM Amidala’s costumes ranked a little low for me just because she looks SO severe in them – which is what they were supposed to do, she was supposed to look imposing and queenly! I get it. Just for me personally, looking at them as a costumer, I know I would look awful in something that severe so it doesn’t interest me as much. And for this one, in addition to being severe, it’s actually almost sort of basic looking. In this case, I think her battle handmaidens showed up the queen outfit. (Or maybe it was just Padme being like, dude I’m not wearing that – Sabe, you wear it, ok?)
#31 – ROTS Aqua Georgette
I love this fabric, this colour, the little details… but when you look at Padme’s two ROTS nightgowns, Sleepless Knights is the clear winner. Though I bet this one would be a dream to wear.
I don’t want to seem like I’m ragging on Padme’s ROTS costumes, ranking most of them so low… but I really kinda feel like they did her dirty in ROTS, not just in the storyline (and having all of her rebellion meetings cut…), but sometimes she just looked off. The costumes were still pretty. She’s still pretty. I don’t know what it is, I can’t put my finger on it.
#30 – ROTS Mustafar
I don’t hate this one but I don’t love it either. She’s leaving to go confront Anakin and is like, wait let me put on my maternity smock and don’t forget my boob straps! I am glad we got to see her in something a little more action oriented in ROTS, instead of a parade of nightgowns and shapeless, pregnancy-hiding robes, and I love the texture of the suede tunic against the matte pants. And it looks comfy. Hey I can say it IS comfy since I did make this one, LOL.
#29 – ROTS Blue Linen
This is one of those ones that looks simple and uninteresting at first but then you look at all the details and it’s like, wow, it’s really beautiful. It’s one of those that flies under the radar. And I love her hair in this costume.
#28 – ROTS Kissy Buns Cloak
A lot of the names I call these costumes are still the ones we were calling them before ROTS came out, as we all poured over ever glimpse of a new costume in promo materials. LOL. I still remember seeing some report (on Entertainment Tonight maybe?) about how Padme in ROTS would have buns that would “put Princess Leia’s to shame!” LOL no.
But I do love her hairstyle in the costume. It’s regal and does harken to Leia without being over the top. The draped cloak is a little simple looking but it’s totally serving as a beautiful backdrop for that hair.
#27 – AOTC Travel Gown
I love the rich gold colour, and the lace headdress and the dress pattern – but getting that pattern laid out and pieced together exactly right seems like it would be a nightmare, and that’s all I can think of when I look at this. (And also with that very structured skirt shape, she looks a bit like a weeble-wobble.)
#26 – AOTC Battle Suit
IIRC this was intended to be Padme’s “slave Leia” moment but… I think it’s more analogous to Leia’s Hoth uniform – it’s functional, it’s meant for her to be active, to move, and to protect herself from the elements. While still having that Padme flair with the hairstyle and some seriously cool boots. It’s also freaking deceptively simple but once you start making it you realize it’s not just pants and a shirt. The seams are super interesting.
Just why’d it have to rip so strategically at the midriff?!
#25 – ROTS Green Cut Velvet
Ok so the Flame Handmaiden got ranked lower because I hate orange, this one gets ranked higher because I love green. LOL. I love this beautiful green velvet paired with the purple sash, and the burnout Naboo symbols up the front. It’s so elegant and purple sash placed so high keeps it from looking like a giant ball of fabric. I also like the way the hood (when it’s up) frames her hair so perfectly. But that being said I feel like Padme had some great hair moments in ROTS… and some vaguely weird ones. It’s like, this is basically the same hairstyle as the Blue Linen, but I think it looked better in Blue Linen? I don’t know what it is, it’s that ROTS Padme thing I can’t put my finger on again….
#24 – TPM Battle Handmaiden
I love this costume, the deep colour of the velvet, the pop of colour in the lining, the huge sleeves, the big-bunned hairstyle, the beautiful belt buckle. It looks regal while still looking like you can storm a palace while wearing it without tripping over a hem.
#23 – ROTS Burgundy Velvet
I love the colour of the velvet, the embellishments, and the way the cut of the sleeves almost harkens back to Loyalist Committee. And that hairstyle built around that headpiece!
#22 – AOTC Pilot
This is my fav of Padme’s “action” costumes. I love the mix of fabric textures, the intricate belt buckle and the hairstyle. It looks like it would be really fun to recreate, and comfortable to wear.
#21 – AOTC Black Corset
Ok I know I’m ranking this one a little low. I do love it, especially when it’s shown with the feather capelet – I think the capelet makes it look so much more interesting. I love the beaded collar and the interesting fabric of skirt. It really is a beautiful costume, it just doesn’t DO it for me like some of her others.
#20 – TPM Red/Gold Senate
This is another where I think Amidala looks so severe, but of course she does – considering she’s going before the senate while wearing this. The details of this costume are just incredible – I watched a friend make it and the amount of work was insane. I ESPECIALLY love when it’s shown with the “horned” fur cape – she looks so imposing.
#19 – AOTC Nightgown/Dressing Robe
This dressing robe is just beautiful, and I think this hairstyle/look was just SO beautiful on Natalie.
Maybe that’s one of the things about ROTS… I think I liked her longer curls in AOTC better than the shorter ones in ROTS. Maybe I’m just being nitpicky. But that’s the whole point of this post, I’m having to be super nitpicky to try to rank all these things I love!
#18 – TPM Black Invasion
This is another one where the details are just insane — the treatment of the robe fabric, the black gold over the lace, the gold naboo symbols, the feathers!! It’s also pretty iconic, you wear this and everybody knows you’re Queen Amidala.
#17 – AOTC Wedding Gown
Gonna be honest here. I did not like the wedding gown at first. I thought it a disappointment compared to her other amazing TPM and AOTC costumes. But over the years it has grown on me, the more I’ve looked at it and studied it – the sheer depth of the vintage lace, beading, handwork is just stunning. I take back any disappointment I felt about it at first.
#16 – ROTS Sleepless Knights
Okay of all of Padme’s nightgowns/dressing gowns, this is my favourite. That colour is just so beautiful and that waterfall drapery! I would have ranked this higher but the only thing that knocks it down a few pegs is her hair – I remember seeing ROTS in the theater the first time and feeling like her hair made her look a little dated, with that clip in the top center.
I mean it wouldn’t stop me from making it — I’ve had this one “almost done” for 12 years now. I need to just power through one of these days.
#15 – AOTC Tatooine Poncho
I LOVE the bright blue of this, the graphic embroidery on the poncho and the Fortuny-esque underdress. It’s so beautiful and now I’m wanting to make it. STOP THAT
#14 – AOTC Family Gown
So disappointed this one was cute because it’s so cute, and it seems like… this is the way Padme the person dresses. Not Padme the queen, or the senator, but this is what she wears at home, and it’s still very Padme with all the beautiful fabrics and details, but at the same time, somehow more personal.
#13 – TPM Travel Gown
I’ve always loved this one because I love the different tones of purple and the sheer purple fabric covering the hairstyle.
#12 – ROTS Liberty Dies
This is my favourite ROTS dress (besides Funeral) – it harkens back to some of her AOTC Senate looks more than most of her ROTS dresses. Like #13 I love the layers of purple – I love the fitted collar with the surrounding shawl effect. But my favourite is that headpiece! I’m sad you don’t see more people recreating this one.
#11 – TPM Black Coruscant
I’m biased at the moment on this one because I’m in the middle of making it. This one I think is super sneaky… on screen and even in posed promo pictures it just looks black and somber and not near as exciting as her other TPM costumes – but when you start looking at the details, it’s just gorgeous. The minky texture of the robe and the brocade underdress topped off with those art deco-inspired beaded panels, it’s just stunning once you start digging into it.
#10 – AOTC Loyalist Committee
This one used to rank higher for me. But having made it in 2003 influenced me the OTHER direction this time. I still love it – I love the structured velvet jacket, the detailing on the underdress, the headpiece. I love how it has a very stiff, regal almost Elizabethan feel to it. But now I look at it and see how much detail I missed when making my own, so I get annoyed when I look at it now LOL
#9- AOTC Tatooine
I wanted to make this one for years! I love the colour, the built-in cape, the gathered fabric, and most of all that amazing silver headpiece combined with the hairstyle. One of my favs but didn’t quite break the top 10.
#8 – TPM Red Invasion
I think when most people think of “Queen Amidala” this is the costume they think of. It’s iconic! I wanted to make it myself back in 2006-2007 but never got to it. I LOVE the shape of the dress, the built-in lights, the fur trim. My favourite though is the intricate crown with the hair halo.
#7 – AOTC Packing Gown
Another one I’ve always wanted to make. I love the deep velvet vest paired with that heavy grey skirt and those lighter weight sleeves. It’s such a beautiful balance. And of course that incredible deco beaded panel and those crazy buns! Ah I love this one.
#6 – AOTC Picnic Gown
I think the picnic gown is a lot of people’s favourites. It’s such a pre-raphaelite fantasy. I love the hair, probably my favourite Padme hair, the loose curls paired with the netted bun covers and the headband. I love the rich gold tones of the fabric and the structured, embroidered bodice set against the flowing sleeves and capelet, and the layers of skirts. It’s just such a dream costume.
#5 – AOTC Cut Senate Gown
THIS is my favorite senate look of Padme’s. And of course it got cut from the movie. But I think she looks the most intimidating in this one – the combo of the hairstyle, the makeup and the silhouette of that collar and the sleeves. Like she will totally mess you up if you mess with her. QUEEN.
#4 – ROTS Funeral Gown
More pre-raphaelite influence, she’s drowning in flowers… the hair, the layers of velvet, the sequins and that amazing deep turquoise colour. I so wish the production team had taken (or released) promo shots of her wearing this standing – the whole thing, I mean, I’ve seen photos of her trying it on. But a full length, grey background shot like the others. It’s obviously one of my favs so I want to see more!!
#3 – TPM Parade Gown
Obviously I love this one, I made it and have worn it to death. She looks like a flower, with the layers of pastel petals and then this structured parasol piece framing her face. I think I’ve always loved this one so much because it’s the lightest of her TPM Queen looks – I wish we could have seen more “happy” Queen Amidala costumes.
#2 – TPM Senate Kimono
So as much as I love the Parade gown it’s actually not my favourite TPM gown – this one is. I have wanted to make it for YEARS but it always ends up falling outside of my budget. One of these years I need to just buckle down and do it. I think my favourite thing about this one is the mix of fabrics and their different textures – and that the severity of it is lessened by delicate embroidery, and the rows of pearls hanging from the headdress. I WANT IT *grabby hands*
#1 – AOTC Lake Gown
I mean come on, you guys knew this was going to be #1 right? It was my first Padme costume I made in 2002 and I’ve made it 3 times since with a 4th one coming. I LOVE the ombre dyed fabric. I love that it is sexy but not in a typical way – showing the shoulders and back instead of just being form-fitting. And I love that the flowiness of the dress is balanced with the structured, shell-shaped hair. Ah it’s just soooo perfect.