Emperor Palpatine Costume
Rule the galaxy in the ultimate dark side hooded robe.
Emperor Palpatine, also known as Darth Sidious, is the ultimate villain of the Star Wars saga. Fans choose this costume for its menacing, powerful presence and comfortable, flowing design. The look centers on a deep black hooded robe, wrinkled pale makeup, and his signature red lightsaber.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Emperor Palpatine
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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What you need for a Emperor Palpatine costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Emperor Palpatine costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Black hooded robe
A floor-length, heavy black cloak with an oversized hood designed to cast deep shadows over the face.
DIY: Use a long black bedsheet or dye an oversized hooded bathrobe black.
Dark inner tunic
A high-neck black or dark grey long-sleeve shirt or tunic worn underneath the robe.
DIY: Use a plain black turtleneck sweater.
Palpatine mask or SFX makeup
A pale, heavily wrinkled latex mask or detailed face paint to mimic his scarred, ancient appearance.
DIY: Apply pale foundation and use liquid latex with tissue paper to create realistic skin wrinkles.
Red lightsaber
A toy lightsaber with a glowing red blade and a metallic silver and gold hilt.
DIY: Use a red plastic tube attached to a silver flashlight casing.
Black gloves
Simple, form-fitting black fabric or leather gloves.
DIY: Use plain black winter gloves.
Black boots
Plain black leather or faux-leather boots or dark dress shoes.
DIY: Wear any plain black dress shoes or dark boots you already own.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Emperor Palpatine costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black inner tunic or turtleneck along with dark trousers.
- 2
Step into the black boots or dark shoes.
- 3
Apply the pale wrinkled makeup or slip on the Emperor Palpatine latex mask.
- 4
Put on the heavy black hooded robe, pulling the oversized hood forward to shade your face.
- 5
Put on the black gloves to cover your hands.
- 6
Ignite your red lightsaber to complete the Sith Lord look.
Makeup & hair
If not using a mask, apply a pale white or light grey base coat to your face and neck. Use dark grey or purple eyeshadow to draw deep wrinkles around your eyes, forehead, and mouth, and wear yellow or red costume contact lenses.
Emperor Palpatine for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with Darth Vader or a Royal Guard for an imposing imperial duo.
- group
- Assemble a group with Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, and Royal Guards.
- kids
- Use a smaller black hooded cloak and a plastic red toy lightsaber for a mini Sith Lord.
- Plus size
- The flowing, oversized nature of the hooded robe makes this an exceptionally comfortable and forgiving fit for all body types.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a small black hood as 'Darth Pup'.
Tips
- Keep the hood pulled low to cast a natural shadow over your eyes, enhancing the menacing look.
- If using a latex mask, ensure there are proper ventilation holes, or opt for makeup for better breathability at long events.
- Practice your best evil cackle and 'Do it' delivery to bring the character to life.
Emperor Palpatine costume FAQ
- What color lightsaber does Emperor Palpatine use?
- Palpatine uses a red-bladed lightsaber with a sleek, metallic gold and silver hilt.
- How do I get the wrinkled skin look without a mask?
- You can use liquid latex and tissue paper to create realistic skin texture, then cover it with pale foundation and dark grey shading.
- What does Palpatine wear under his robe?
- He wears a simple dark grey or black high-collared tunic and dark trousers.
Did you know? Palpatine's iconic scarred appearance in Return of the Jedi was created using extensive prosthetics that took over four hours to apply to actor Ian McDiarmid.