Princess Leia’s strong, independent personality, and the fact that she is one of the few female characters, makes a popular costume choice for Halloween or conventions. Princess Leia wears several different costumes throughout the three movies her character appears. Princess Leia appears in Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Prince Leia has brown hair, so use a wig or dye if the wearer has another color.

The first outfit Princess Leia appears in is a white senatorial gown. Her hair style is two buns on either side of her head. For long hair, part the hair in half. Twist each half. Twirl the twist into a cinnamon bun shape. Fasten with bobby pins and clips. For short hair, style a wig. Use a long sleeved white robe or dress. Add a hood by pinning on a pillowcase. Fasten a silver belt around the waist. Wear white or black. Carry a plastic gun or a toy blaster. Princess Leia wears this costume during “A New Hope.” Her famous line “Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope,” was said in this costume.

Princess Leia’s Bespin outfit is a burgundy color. For the hair, pull the top layer into a bun. Tuck any stray hairs underneath the bun. Fasten the bun in place with bobby pins. Split the remaining hair in half. Split one in half into three strands and plait right under the bun. Repeat with the other half. Wrap a small rubber band at the end of each braid. Take the end of each braid and tuck it under the bun. Add a bobby pin to hold the braids in place. The two braids should make two loops. To make smoother braids slightly wet the hair before braiding. For the costume, make or buy a long sleeved shirt. The sleeves should come to a point at the cuffs. Sew the ends of a store bought shirt to make a point, if necessary. Buy matching pants. Leggings work well. Cut a belt out of foam rubber with a diamond on the front. Cut out a piece of burgundy polyester cloth to fit tightly over the foam rubber. Glue it or sew it into place. Paint or embroider a chain pattern down the white sheer fabric for the cape. The cape has armholes and is floor-length. Attach the fabric to a foam rubber piece. The foam rubber should go around the neck and is slightly longer in the middle of the back. Cover the foam rubber with white cloth. It makes a point similar to the sleeves of the shirt. Wear burgundy ballet flats. Princess Leia wore this outfit in “The Empire Strikes Back.”

The Ewok Village costume resembles a Native American dress. Wear hair long and crimped, except from the front layer. Separate the first layer of hair from around the head. Braid a long braid to frame the face. One braid weaved with a tan leather or brown strip holds back the hair. The braid reaches to the end of the loose hair. A long enough braid is only possible with hair 10 inches or longer. For shorter hair, buy fake hair. Braid it and pin in at your hairline. Let it reach all the way down on both sides. Wear a long-sleeved white undershirt. A leather or faux leather dress works for the main part of the costume. The dress should be sleeveless. Cut the bottom so it makes a point in between the knees. Tie a leather sash around the waist. Wear tan sandals.  Princess Leia wore this outfit in the “Return of the Jedi.”