So Halo: Escalation is out, Thel Vadam is back, but it got me worried about his canonical appearance.
first thing I notice was his skin is lighter, where he is from on Shanghelios, all of his family/friends within the Vadam State most have dark skin like him (for example, like black people & white people, we are different colours due to long term environmental adaptions on earth, Shangheilis are the same)
Another more worrying is his armour, but most people & me so far believe it is his ceremonial armour of some kind, based on my theories right here; If you have read Halo: Glasslands, Thel Vadam said he decided to quit being Arbiter, but wants to be simply known as his other title, Kaidon (meaning leader of his state, much like a Senator/Première, a leader of a state in his country) meaning he gave away his Arbiter armour, left it in his closet for remembrance how he got his honour back during the finals days of the Human-Covenant War, or modified it & made it gold coloured to really show his status, & last the design of the armour itself, left arm being completely exposed, 3 gold strips hanging down between his legs (I mean its stupid going into battle like that, the design of it would interferer how he might fight).
From a logical point of view is (since a large amount of people don't use their heads, expecting 343i/bungie to explain things to them >.>), he decided to wear this armour because of the peace negotiations, wanting to wear something respectful & something to represent his status towards the Brutes (for example; would you wear marine/soldiers outfits instead of a nice press suit if your're an ambassador, representing your party, no)
Only thing I notice that they kept truly canon was his Doarmir cloak he always had since the start of the Human-Covenant War.
Image below about the details of his cloak, skin & armour details below:
Thel Vadam talking to Rtas Vadam, during the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, seen wearing his Doarmir cloak & most likely his ship-command armour.
http://www.halopedia.org/File:Supremecommander.jpg
Thel Vadam talking to the Hierarchs about his failure attempts that happen in Halo: Combat Evolved during the start of Halo 2, seen wearing his proper combat armour due having to show his status & respect towards the Hierarchs & to ashamed him in from of the Covenant public.
http://www.halopedia.org/File:CouncilsScorn01.jpg
Thel Vadam kneeling before the Prophets during Halo 2, notice his colour is dark.
http://www.halopedia.org/File:Arbiter_kneel.png
Thel Vadam in his Arbiter armour during the events of Halo 2 & Halo 3
http://www.halopedia.org/File:H3_Arbiter_Thel_Vadam.png
Thel Vadam wearing his Ceremonial armour during peace talks with the Jiralhanae in Halo: Escalation, notice the very details of his armour, his Doarmir Cloak & his colour skin.
http://www.halopedia.org/File:Thel_2558.png