Why don't Jedi and Sith wear minimal gear for maximal lightsaber efficiency?

Question

I'm not expert in Star Wars nor in fencing. However, I think there is something not very logical in the way Jedi and Sith use their lightsabers.

I've always thought a proficient lightsaber user would not use robes nor cloaks in order to avoid being disturbed by large pieces of cloth. Some fencers used to have a "fencing cape" some centuries ago which added style and might help disguise the gestures made by the fencer, but these were to be maximum 80 - 90 cm long and not to weigh more than 1 - 1.5 kg.

Maybe I'm wrong, but in medieval times for instance, capes were to protect the owner (from cold, etc.), but I don't think they would use it on a battle field.

I understand there must be a "style reason" behind this, but aren't Jedi's Robe or Sith's cloaks a disturbance while fighting ? Isn't there useless weight added which would slow down their movements?

I don't see why they would not wear minimal gear to enhance their speed and freedom of movement since there is no real protection to a lightsaber hit.

Answer 1

Both Jedi and Sith are primarily mystics, their main focus being the study/meditation on the Force and how to best serve it/ use it, thus their outfits take a cue from real-life mystical/monastical organizations.

A major reason for why monks, of both Western and Eastern orders, wear robes is that their orders at least nominally decry materialism thus a single item of clothing which is versatile (and you don't need a whole wardrobe) like the robe is a logical choice for a uniform.

Another real-life fact which influenced the costumes in Star Wars, is that in the popular conception mystical clergy and sages are often conflated with sorcerers and intellectuals (there is some truth to this in medieval Europe if you had the knowledge to attempt scholarly work or sorcery you were probably connected to the Church somehow).

This especially shows in Palpatine's outfit as he is the evil sorcerer type, and all Sith being both warriors and sorcerers will have their outfits take cue from both Palpatine and Vader (with the mention that it is much easier to portray Palaptine's clothing as a standard uniform than it is to do for Vader's armour+ mask combo)

Another way too look at it is that Jedi have only one set of clothes and since they will spend most of their time not in combat, it wouldn't make sense for it to be combat related.

Sith as I've said are heavily inspired by the image of the evil sorcerer from Earth fiction.

Answer 2

Some reference materials say that one of the reasons for Jedi robes is to better fit in on many planets, since they're a classic style that has been around for millennia, so that their clothes don't necessarily draw unwanted attention. This explanation was created after the robe-like garments worn by Obi-Wan and Yoda in the original trilogy were solidified as standard Jedi wear in the prequels (look at older comics like the Marvel series or Tales of the Jedi to see earlier interpretations of what Jedi would wear). In practice, though, not a lot of other characters actually end up wearing robes, so this official explanation seems to fall a bit flat. To their credit, though, Qui-Gon and Obi-wan, at least, take off their heavier robes before fighting Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace.

Answer 3

As per Jimmy Shelter's email, fighting is not their primary concern so perhaps they don't regard it as an issue? Most of the time they do take their cloaks off to fight - if they have the time. Their ability to move is not really hampered by clothing as they use the Force which allows much greater ability in movement etc which probably makes clothing a minimal concern.

Answer 4

Jedi remove their robes before fighting like in Darth Maul vs Obi Wan and Qui Gon Jinn and in Obi Wan and Anakin vs Count Dooku (Clone Wars)