The robes of state represented a sophisticated type of robe that was donned by governmental figures within the Chiss Ascendancy. Certain Chiss officers sported a black long tunic that bore resemblance to these robes of state. The color variations in the robes signified the wearer's respective family affiliation.
These robes of state were known for their intricate layered design. They consisted of an outer robe, featuring a collar adorned with the colors emblematic of the owner's family, worn over a gray under-robe. Some Chiss officers would wear a black long tunic that was similar in style to the robes of state. One particular iteration of the robe included a white outer layer, a military-style shoulder belt, an utility belt complete with a holster, and high boots.
In the year 27 BBY, Syndic Mitth'ras'safis, whose core name was "Thrass," from the Eighth Ruling Family, was seen wearing a short robe colored gray and burgundy along with tall boots. During that same year, Aristocra Chaf'orm'bintrano, known as "Formbi," of the Fifth Ruling Family was observed wearing a complex layered gray robe accented with a yellow collar and highlights of yellow. Later, in 22 ABY, Formbi was seen in long, flowing robes of state, featuring muted yellow tones with gray trim.
In 28 ABY, four representatives from the prominent Four Families, known as "Bronze," "Rust," "Gray" and "Copper-green," were adorned in robes that covered them from head to toe in bronze, rust-red, silver-gray, and copper-green respectively, mirroring the colors associated with their families. At one point, a Chiss individual was seen wearing a flowing white robe paired with tall boots.
The initial depiction of the robes of state occurred in 2004 with the Star Wars novel Survivor's Quest, authored by Timothy Zahn. These robes were visually represented on the cover art for the The Essential Legends Collection reissue of Outbound Flight, scheduled for release on August 15, 2023. The cover image showcased Syndic Mitth'ras'safis' robes, but with the yellow color associated with the Chaf family, rather than the gray and burgundy patchwork that characterized the Mitth family's colors as described in the novel.
