Sharp Dressed Man

[Travis]

Tarkin puts a lot of focus on his clothes.

Chapter 1 is titled "The Measure Of A Man" is all about creating and fitting a new uniform.

Chapter 4 comments several times on Tarkin's clothes for his trip to the Carrion. He has "his gear, his outfit, his uniform for when it would be needed." While Tarkin is taken to the Carrion Plateau he is "safe for the moment within the uniform." When his outfit eventually wears out "he was on his own, without a uniform or costume to hide within."

And think about the most iconic Star Wars character, Darth Vader. Would he be as formidable, terrifying, and memorable with a different outfit? Perhaps a paisley cape or glitter on his helmet?

So, do clothes really make the man?

[Albert]

Tarkin, at least later in his life, doesn't really seem to care as much about his uniform as much as what he can do in it. In chapter 1 he says "I simply want a uniform that fits." However when the fitting droid explains to him that he needs an outfit "fitting" his status as sector governor, he is more eager to alter his wardrobe. This makes him come off as a very pragmatic, disciplined individual.

Based off your quote from chapter 4, this seems to contradict what he felt as a younger boy towards his uniform as it made him feel safe and secure. This shows a marked change in Tarkin as a boy who needs comfort from others to a man who can fend for himself. Luceno has really given him a lot of depth!

On a side note, I found it very interesting that in chapter 1 Tarkin made it so clear that he wanted boots that fit. When A New Hope was shot, the costume department didn't have boots large enough to fit Peter Cushing (Tarkin's actor) and had him wear women's slippers for most of the shooting. This is why most of the time you can't see Tarkin's feet in the movie. Luceno could be giving a slight nod to this.

[Louis]

I thought the same thing about the slippers.

[Richard]

I'm wondering where it will all lead to. Why is the clothing so emphasized? Will there be a great moment in the end where it all ties up to some special event from his past, will there be some kind of revelation or confession that Tarkin isn't really comfortable with how things transpired and need to dress and feel like a person who puts duty above all, that is in a sharp uniform?

I cant think that Luceno put so much work in describing clothes when he looked pretty much like any other officer in "A new Hope" without it having a major impact on his character. Will be fun to read back on this discussion after the book is done and see what it all meant.

[Travis]

Albert wrote: "Tarkin, at least later in his life, doesn't really seem to care as much about his uniform as much as what he can do in it. In chapter 1 he says "I simply want a uniform that fits." However when the..."

That's a great point, that the contrast in attitude illustrates a change in character. But I also think the fact Tarkin is more eager to alter his uniform after the droid points out he is a sector governor and has more freedom with his clothes could be interpreted Tarkin feeling he has to look the part of a proper sector governor (while still maintaining his pragmatic tastes), which would be a callback to his days on the Carrion when he conjured up a uniform he thought fit the role he thought he would have.

Also interesting is that Tarkin views designing his uniform as "perhaps a means of casting himself in garb as distinctive as the hooded robes of the former [Vader] or the latter's [Sidious] signature black mask." Then when the droid asks him to inspect the uniform in the hologram, Tarkin "finally posed akimbo, with his fists planted on his hips", which is exactly the description of Vader's poses later in the book. So in some ways Tarkin wants to as visually striking as Vader and Sidious.

[Travis]

Chapter 8 topics ahead!

Interesting that the title of Chapter 8 is "Emperor's New Spies" which is very reminiscent of "Emperor's New Clothes". Not sure how that ties into the actual content of the chapter, though.

But the focus on clothing persists. The Ruling Council is noted as being "dressed in baggy costumes of riotous color and floppy hats more befitting a night at the Coruscant Opera". This is considered "in some sense a tribute to the sartorial extravagance of Naboo's nobility". So yet again we have clothes being used to represent a character's, uh, character.

[Travis]

Chapter 15 update!

"he felt claustrophobic strapped into the seat by safety webbing and encumbered by gloves, flight boots, and helmet."

Tarkin has definitely moved on up the chain of command to the point he feels uncomfortable in "grunt" clothing.