The Likeness Between Today's Fashion Trends and Star Wars Costumes

Where do we draw the line between fantasy and reality? Does it even matter?To me, fantasy and reality seem to always mimic each other. They are not quite identical, yet inseparably connected to one another.

Yesterday, when I saw a woman with two huge buns on her head walking down the street, I suddenly thought of Princess Leia. (I'm not even a big Star Wars fan.) When I looked at the woman again a bit more carefully, however, I realized that it wasn't just because of her hair, but also the way she dressed.

Don't get me wrong. She wasn't wearing a Star Wars costume. In fact, she seemed very fashionable (except for the hair). It was her white tunic sweater that somehow reminded me so much of Princess Leia. So last night I did a little research about Star Wars costumes and the latest fashion trends in America. Guess what? They almost mirror each other!

Let's start with Queen Padmé Amidala

Characteristics: The gorgeous queen of the planet Naboo. The wife of Anakin Skywalker, and mother of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. She is one of Naboo's brightest leaders, who devotes her life and soul to public service. As a politician, she is opposed to corruption and fervently fascinated with the ideals of democracy and the rule of law. Becoming a queen at such a young age, she always takes her responsibilities with the utmost seriousness. Although Padmé is often seen as an iron-willed warrior and solemn queen, she is also very feminine, warm and loving. This dual personality, I think, is her charm.

Costume: This red costume, which appears in The Phantom Menace, is designed by Trisha Biggar. It is inspired by ancient Mongolian fashion and actually based on an imperial robe worn by Grand Empress BÖrte, wife of Genghis Khan.

Capelet Dress and Swing Coat

Very trendy for women who want to portray gravity and grace. Just like Padmé's character, this style of clothing combines mystery with femininity. A lot of women adopt this trend, for it is simple but stylish. Plus, they won't have to worry about picking a matching accessory such as a scarf or necklace. A capelet dress is chic and bold in itself. Wearing too many accessories with it will only create a jumbled look.

Sabé

Characteristics: She is Queen Amidala's best friend and one of her five principal handmaidens in The Phantom Menace. Due to her resemblance to the queen, she is the first in line to act as Amidala's decoy, while the true Queen Amidala takes up the disguise of a handmaiden. Outshining the other four handmaidens completely, Sabé has great combat skills, and can imitate Queen Amidala's voice and mannerisms perfectly. Besides her courage, loyalty and acting talent, she is said to have a playful personality, once even going as far as to ordering Padmé (the true Queen) to clean the astromech droid as 'debt-repayment', for putting her life in peril.

Costume: Throughout the movie, we mostly see Sabé in the red combat dress. The designer probably have gotten inspiration from old Japanese fashion. The dress doesn't look so much like a woman's kimono, but more similar to a samurai kimono or ninja outfit, with not very wide kimono sleeves and shin-length robe.

Self-belt Chemise and Sassy Trench Coat

Casual and cute, self-belt chemises are never out-of-style. They are very comfortable to wear, and tend to show off female hourglass figure by a large belt or sash set above the waist. And believe it or not, vivid-color trench coats have made a nice comeback. These two fun styles delectably depict youthful spirit and playfulness, which we see in Sabé's personality and costume.

Characteristics: The wife of Han Solo, twin sister of Luke Skywalker, and daughter of Queen Amidala and Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi knight who succumbs to the dark side and becomes Darth Vader. After her birth she is adopted by Bail Organa and Queen Breha of Alderaan. Leia is very headstrong and somewhat abrasive. As a child, she is seen as a tomboy princess and sometimes mistaken for a domestic servant girl. As she grows up, however, her intelligence and outspoken nature begins to shine. Like her birth mother, Leia always puts her duty before her own personal needs.

Costume: This funky white gown is Leia's costume in A New Hope. According to George Lucas, he asked the designer to create a revolutionary look, something different that isn't really fashion.

Turtle Sweater and Wrap-around Tunic

This fashionably simple and sophisticated style is favored by lots of women, like Princess Leia, who don't like girly stuff. It can be worn in almost all kinds of social occasions from a picnic at Central Park to a business meeting in a first-class hotel, without making you look overdressed or underdressed. To feel like a princess, you don't need to put on a corset or a fluffy flare skirt.

Characteristics: A Jedi knight from the planet Ryloth. She appears in the movies Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Her appearances in the films, however, are very brief. We can see her action a lot more in Star Wars comic books and video games. Aayla Secura is a highly skilled swordswoman with a strong connection to the Force. Being a warrior of the Rutian species, she always appears interestingly quirky and rather mean-looking, in a very inhuman way, although in fact she is quite emotional and vulnerable. At times, she almost allows herself to be seduced by the dark side of the Force. In spite of her skills and intelligence, Aayla Secura often gets herself into trouble because of her impulsiveness.

Costume: Secura is one of the few Jedi knights who don't wear traditional robes. It is likely due to the fact that she is a Twi'lek, as Twi'lek females traditionally wears less clothing. This reddish-brown combat costume makes our female warrior look sexy and snappily rebellious.

Tight-fitted Pants and Cropped Jacket

This sexy trend is very famous among those who are confident in their bodies. It can bring out the diva from inside you by voguishly portraying zeal, spunk and a little spice of naughtiness. If you want to create Secura's gutsy look without seeming sleazy like Britney Spears, here are some tips:

• Get rid of your cheap-looking blue jeans. Try other kinds of fabric such as tweed or satin or even plain cotton. Leather could be interesting if it fits your personality.
• Stick with serious colors such as black, white, gray and dark brown.
• Avoid low-cut tops. A cropped jacket already attracts attention to your pretty belly. Revealing too much of your breasts too will be a bit too much. You must choose to show off one thing or the other.

Characteristics: Apailana is the successor to Jamillia as Queen of Naboo. She is one of the youngest monarchs ever elected. Supported by Senator Padmé Amidala, she becomes the queen at the tender age of twelve. Apailana appears briefly in the film Revenge of the Sith, where she is one of the chief mourners at Padmé's funeral, wearing a chersilk mourning robe. Like Padmé, she is really devoted to her people and determined to eradicate corruption in politics. She is also very discreet and always sensible. Not once, in both the movie and the book, can we detect the emotional side of her.

Costume: This mourning gown Apailana wears at Padme's funeral is definitely based on a traditional Japanese kimono. The purple obi is extremely wide and beautifully exaggerated. The silver color and silky fabric of the robe produces a lustrous metallic look. An epitome of luxury and elegance.

A cool, creative, modern look. A bold statement that demonstrates how grand fashion can be. This trend is apt for all body types. If you are skinny, it can make you look fuller than you actually are. If you are already fleshy, it can hide those extra pounds you don't want to reveal. Try not to wear wide-leg pants and a large kimono-sleeve top at the same time, though. You've got to know the limit of exaggeration.