Jedi garb in general can be best described as functional, practical, and simplistic, yet also dramatic and mysterious. From what we have seen in the films the Jedi color scheme is made up of earth tones.
In TPM Jedi garb is made up a several layers (tunic, inner tunic, tabard or stole/obi and the outer robe). For this reason natural fabrics are important as they allow air to circulate and keep the wearer more comfortable. TPM Jedi garb was made from wool, linen and raw silk. I have found that 100% cotton unbleached muslin is a great substitute for the tunics and a heavy cotton like weavers cloth can be used for the Jedi robe. Not only are these option cooler, they are also more economical.
For the non-sewer or the film maker looking for short cuts, a Karate gi or other martial art uniform can be used to instantly provide a Jedi feel. The addition of a Jedi outer robe, leather belt and riding style boots could convey the Jedi look. However I would recommend that if time and money permit that you make your own Jedi garb. The Jedi design is simple and given enough patience and time frequently a sewing novice can put together Jedi garb. The design itself requires that a person be familiar with reading a commercial pattern, able to do straight line sewing, some simple gathering (for the robe hood) and hem. Really, it is that easy.
Now on to design specifics...
Because Jedi garb is worn in loose layers there is some ease when it comes to fitting a person. I found that getting a commercial kimono pattern such as Simplicity # 8311 and lengthening the sleeves a bit works well. The inner tunic can be modified from pattern #8311 by making the sleeves tighter and longer and by wrapping the inner tunic tighter around the body. The tabard or stole and obi are simply two strips of double layered fabric approximately 6-8" wide that are held in place by the obi or sash and in Qui-Gon's style extend a couple of inches past the tunic in front and back or in Obi-Wan's case are attached to the obi in the back come up over the shoulders and extend down a couple of inches longer than the tunic only on the front. The obi or sash itself is 6-8" wide and can either be made to attach in the back by velcro or wrap and tie (my preferred method). A wonderful outer robe design is based on Simplicity pattern # 7438. Using some sleeve and hood modification diagrams, the robe appears dead on accurate. Customizing Jedi garb can be easily achieved by either varying the color scheme or adding, eliminating, or lengthening layers. Sandals instead of boots, or changing the style of belt are all ways of individualizing a style while still appearing Jedi. We saw that there were many differences in style that added personal touch among the Jedi Council members. Be creative and have fun. I've learned from the Phantom Menace that Jedi garb can be quite varied in color, material and style.
For now I am going to focus on the style worn by Master Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn and his padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi. From what I have learned so far, the Jedi outfits seem to consist of 6 basic parts. The inner tunic (layer 1), the tunic (layer 2), the tabard or vest (layer 3), the pants, the obi or sash, and the outer robe or cloak. Other misc. items include the belt with pouches and various equipment, boots and of course a lightsaber.
Fabric Recommendations
Qui-Gon's Tunic, Inner Tunic, Tabard and Obi/Sash appears to have been made out of Raw Silk also called Silk Noil. Leiasky pointed out that Obiwan's Tunic, Inner Tunic, Stole/Tabard, Obi/Sash looks as though it was made from wool gauze although a medium weight, ivory Linen (lightweight for the inner tunic) would make a good subtitute.
Both Qui-Gon's and Obi-wan's pants appear to have been made using a medium to heavy weight Habotai or Silk Broadcloth (at least 16mm). The Cloaks were made of Wool. Since Linen and Silk and Wool are not within everyone's budget, consider using a medium weight cotton or natural unbleached muslin. Try to avoid synthetic fabrics. They are much hotter and do not allow much air to circulate. With three layers and a Cloak using natural fibers will make a huge difference in how comfortable you are.
BELTS-
A seemingly obvious yet very important part of the Jedi uniform. The Utility belt holds all of the equipment Jedi's use when in the field. According to the Episode 1 Visual Dictionary, the belt holds the pouches and "On field missions, Jedi carry a basic kit consisting of food capsules, medical supplies, multitools, and other essential devices". Here are some ideas for making a Jedi Utility Belt:
(Materials from Tandy Leather Company, www.tandyleather.com)
Large rectangular buckle blank #168800 $1.99 (this is to hook it in the back)
natural cowhide belt blanks 2" #451800 $13.49 (these already have the snaps for your buckle)
natural cowhide strips (mine is 1" but if you look at the actual belt it looks like it should be 3/4" also a guy who I have talked to about this said that the front buckle which has not been made for decades is for a 3/4") 3/4" 44" #448600 $3.49 (It comes in 60" too but since the belt is 44" you should not need any more.
Rivets (I think you need long) nickle 40pk \line #1275 $2.69
rivet settet #810000 $1.49 or rivet setter kit 100 assorted size nickel rivets with setter #127900 $6.49
Dyes; I don't know exactly which one to pick I will leave it up to you. Mine is dyed dark but they also have a antique finishing in dark brown which I would use if i were to make one, which I might, to get it to look like Obi wan's. It says it is a finish and it does have different colors so I guess you do not have to dye it first, and this would take its place as a dye. 4oz #1980 $4.49
Belt Keeper 2" #471004 $.49 You will have to put the notch holes in yourself and cut the length of the belt to fit you. So you might have something at home to do that or you might want to by something. Remember that with the layers of robe, the obi, and the stole tucked in, you are going to need some extra length than usual. JK2 used a cumberbun buckle for the front. It has a good effect, and it will get you by until someone makes something else. Ask for it at a fabric store, they are cheap. Thats all the pieces. I won't go into how to put it together because I have not built one but it should be simple.
JEDI BELT POUCHES-
Each was made from about 1 sq ft of vinyl, two wood screws, a small bolt & nut (for the clip), a belt clip (taken from a winding keychain from a dollar store), two leather rivets, a portable soap dish (bought at Wal-mart near the travel size shampoos), and a little duct tape to hold things in place while I assembled it. The design should be fairly self evident, but you will need to cut some groves in the interior portion of the soap container corners so that it will close tighter than it was designed to do. I have no sewing machine, nor the patients to do it by hand so the leather (vinyl) corners are actually stapled together :-).
