Emperor Palpatine: Black Sith Robes

SL_palpatine_rotj_full

Model SL-3940, Photo by Debra Ellis
Description: Emperor Palpatine Black Robes: ROTS, ESB, ROTJ
Prefix: SL
Detachment: Sith Lord Detachment
Context: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

Master of the Dark Side of the the Force, Darth Sidious maintains rule over the galaxy from his ruthlessly established public role as Emperor.

See also: Darth Sidious: Pre Scarring

This Visual Guide has been reviewed by the detachment staff and the LMO team and is certified for use as a minimum approval guideline for GMLs. GMLs are free to approve this costume type.

This is a visual guide used for 501st costume approval, not a how-to for construction. Construction details are found at the costume's Detachment website. Measurements provided here are generalized, and not criteria for approval. All 501st costumes are proportionate to the wearer in terms of size, fit, and scale. During evaluation, both text and images (CRL and Reference) must be considered. When in doubt about a feature of a submitted costume, GMLs should post questions in the Legion forum's DL/GML peer review section.

Required Costume Components

The following costume components are present and appear as described below. For 501st membership only the requirements in black need to be met. This Detachment defines additional, optional costuming details listed in blue and red. Please visit the Detachment website for more details on these options.

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Palpatine's Face

  • Through the use of prosthetic appliances, the following key facial features resemble that of Darth Sidious/ The Emperor:
  • Eyebrows/ forehead, cheeks, and chin.
  • Prosthetic appliances are made from silicone, foam latex, or gelatin.
  • The color of the prosthetic appliances closely matches the semi-pale flesh tones seen on screen.
  • The face is not completely pale/pure white, nor are there any green or bluish tints.
  • The prosthetic appliance are well blended into the skin reducing the noticeable separation between the skin around the eyes and mouth and the appliance.
  • If desired, a high quality bald cap may be used.
  • "Halloween style" masks are inaccurate.
  • Very high end silicone masks that custom fit to the face and allow the full use of facial expressions are allowed.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):

  • The teeth are blackened and browned using tooth enamels in layers to produce a mottled look.
  • The wrinkles are softer and sag more for the ROTJ version of Palpatine.
  • The area around the eyes is darker than the rest of the face with pink/red blended in around the eyes.

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Palpatine's Hands

  • Hands are made up with high quality cosmetics and latex old age stipple or prosthetic appliances simulating old age.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):

  • For ROTS, the nails are colored with a yellow base and brown and black at the edges and elongated.
  • For ROTJ, the nails match the color of the hands, and not elongated.

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Under Robe

  • Kimono style cut, dark charcoal grey or black in color, medium weight fabric, and has a smooth texture.
  • The sleeves extend at least one half inch past the wrist bone.
  • Lengthwise it extends to less than an inch above the foot wear in both the front and back.
  • The robe ties at three points on the inside and three points on the outside near the side of the chest, waist, and hips.
  • OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
  • The inner robe is lighter in color than the outer robe, and is dark charcoal grey.

SL-palpatine_rotj-outer-robe

Outer Robe

  • Black, non glossy fabric that has square waffle styled weaves or similar texture.
  • If lined, outer robe is lined with same waffle style material.
  • Robe falls from the shoulders to the hem which is less than one inch above the floor.
  • Sleeves reach to just below the wrists. Top of sleeves are permanently gathered or shirred.
  • Bottom of the sleeves extends to just above wearer's knees when hands are folded across wearer's stomach.
  • There is a seam running down the center of the hood.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):

  • The square waffle style weaves are approximately one fourth inches in size.
  • For ROTS, the shirring is tight and small and four to six inches in length; for ROTJ, the shirring is large and four to six inches in length.

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Brooch

  • Brooch has a smooth high gloss finish.
  • Is either carved or sculpted, with pin or clasp style backings for attachment.
  • Contains several smooth, rounded indentions.
  • Brooch measures no more than one and thee quarters high by two and three quarters wide.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):

  • Pattern and size of indentions is identical to that shown in the photo.

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Sash

  • Sash is made from the same material as the inner robe.
  • Sash is approximately 2 .5 to 3 inches wide and extends to just above of the wearer’s knees.
  • Sash has squared ends.

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Foot wear

  • Flat black in color, no decoration or laces, rounded toe, and are made of leather or leather-like material or rough-out/suede.
  • Jack boots or an alternative suede slip-on style shoe is acceptable. If the latter, no skin or brightly colored socks are visible on costumer when walking.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):

  • Boots are a "Wellington" or cowboy style work boot in black leather (ROTS) or rough-out/suede (ROTJ) without decoration or laces.
  • The boots do not exceed calve height.

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Cane

  • Made of wood, resin, or other durable material.
  • Cane has a smooth, glossy black finish.
  • Cane features knurls or twists such as that seen on screen.
  • The cane is required for the ROTJ version
  • The cane is not required for the ROTS version.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):

  • When viewed from the side, the cane gently angles back and forth (zig-zags), but not drastically.
  • When viewed from the front, there is a bulge to the outside just above mid-cane height.
  • The knurls and twists are smooth and not sharp/jagged.

Optional Accessories

Items below are optional costume accessories. These items are not required for approval, but if present appear as described below. If adding in an accessory after initial approval, the item still needs to be submitted to local GML for approval before use.

SL_maul_eye

Sith Eyes

  • The contact lenses are described as a fiery yellow transitioning into a brilliant red.
  • This style of contact lens may be worn, if desired.
  • While encouraged to complete the look of this character, the contact lens requirement will be waived for 501st acceptance, if the applicant cannot wear contact lenses for health related reasons.
  • All persons utilizing contact lenses are encouraged to first see their optometrist for a fitting.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):

  • For ROTJ, the iris of the lens is predominately yellow, with only a small amount of red around the outer border.

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Lightsaber

  • The lightsaber is not a required part of the costume since FX Sidious/Emperor lightsabers are almost non existence, and it was worn up his sleeve.
  • If used, it is only be submitted with the ROTS version, and be a Master Replica, scratch built, or another high-end prop replica of what is seen in the film.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):

  • Lightsaber reflects 1:1 scale in size and appears to be of metal or chrome/gold/silver stock, and is worn up the wearer’s right sleeve.!!!