#someone: kool aid man .jpg IT MEANS THE SHIRT WAS FUCKING BLUE

[theseptemberist]

i love how obi-wan’s clothing reflects his character arc. the show makes it so clear that his costumes are tied to his sense of self identity. they mirror his emotional progression, from the blue shirt to the wrap-style tunic to, after everything, alec guinness’s costume in ANH.

what’s so striking about the costume design here is the lack of variation in obi-wan’s past appearances. we see him in similar jedi robes because obi-wan functionally is the “ideal” jedi. his tidy and layered robes represent his decorum, his emotional control, his sense of inner peace. barely showing a sliver of skin, he is benevolent, consistent, unassailable. he draws a striking contrast with anakin, who appears either armored in intimidating dark leather or stripped down and exposed in his most vulnerable and emotional moments.

all of this changes in the show. we see him wearing *gasp* COOL TONES. he dons a jedi robe that seems ill fitting for the man he’s become. and then he is quite literally broken down and stripped of his defensive disguise, and comes out of the experience with cautiosly renewed hope and an outfit to match. (see @intermundia’s excellent meta for more on the symbolism of obi-wan having a bath)

bringing it around to the ANH costume, the ultimate end point— i’ve heard complaints that it was used as the basis of jedi robes (or that obi-wan is calling attention to himself by dressing that way) but star wars has always been about aesthetics and visual symbolism first and foremost. in light of the costume design of the show, that costume becomes something beautiful, a culmination of all the pain and healing that forged the wise and balanced old master he became by the end of his life.

obi-wan’s decision to readopt the jedi robe in exile now symbolizes the reclamation of his identity. it represents his rejection of despair and his embrace of jedi ideals— that emotions must be accepted and released, that compassion is a strength, that hope is never truly lost. he must still remain in hiding but he’s no longer hiding. he finally accepts his guilt, his responsibility to the galaxy, the truth of who he is. his appearance reflects his heart.

and, though he may have lost faith for a time, at heart obi-wan kenobi is and has always been a jedi.

#sorry to the blue shirt and apron you were soooo hot #but obi-wan has a signature color and that is beige 😌 #me: the color he wears in ep 1 represents his self disconnection his sadness and depression and— #someone: kool aid man .jpg IT MEANS THE SHIRT WAS FUCKING BLUE #now if i were to do this meta through a queer lens i’d say his bacta dip represented my powerful gay desire to [REDACTED] #obi-wan kenobi #my beloved #meta #kenobi spoilers #anakin skywalker #jedi positivity #star wars #kenobi show