Rebel X-Wing Pilot Football Costume - Group Costume For DragonCon2015

[Helpful Nerd]

Designed this parody football league logo for the updated costume to make into a patch for the jersey.

RAFL instead of NFL, Rebel Alliance Football League. Instead of a football I put a X-Wing since the costume is based on a X-Wing pilot.

I made two versions. After looking at it a couple times I see some spacing issues that need to be addressed.

What do you all think?

 

[MatrixSpoon]

I like the bigger stars, but that's just me...

 

[Helpful Nerd]

Been working on pricing for parts of the costume.

Here's a list of items that I am buying for the upgraded version of this costume.

Adult Integrated Football Pants - $14.99 + Shipping
http://www.footballamerica.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=31377

I bought cheap practice football pants and they only had one slot for pads for the knees, I also bought thigh pads and they stayed in place for the most part, but kept sliding down since the pants had not slots for these pads. I am going to use integrated football pants now instead because all the pads are built into the pants and the pads won't shift around while walking.

Rawlings Adult Football Helmet - Grey $139.99 + Shipping
http://www.teamexpress.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=24284

This is by far the most expensive part of this costume. I already have a helmet but it's v1 and did not turn out as well as I wanted. So I am going to order a new helmet in the proper color I was going for. The helmet does not come with the face mask, and I'm still looking for the right face mask that will fit this helmet and deciding on the color, probably white.

Orange Jersey - $42.99 + Shipping

http://www.customtshirts.com/product/2263/adult-overtime-football-jersey

For the first version of this costume I used a oversized T-Shirt and it worked ok. But I really wanted to get a jersey. The reason I didn't was that by the time I went to order it it wouldn't have arrived in time for DragonCon. But since I'm upgrading and putting together v2 of this costume I am ordering a jersey. I am only having my jersey printed with Porkins and 6 on the back. Since the chest box will cover any graphic or text on the front there's no reason to print on the front.

That's it for now. Still searching for any alternatives but so far these are the items I'll be buying and the items I suggest others buy for the sake of continuity. I'd like all of us to use the same items so that as a group we look like a legit football team.

- - - Updated - - -

I like the bigger stars, but that's just me...

Thanks for the feedback man. I'm leaning towards the version with the large stars. I also noticed some spacing errors that I can fix too. Once this is done it will make a really cool patch for the jersey.

 

[MatrixSpoon]

Rawlings Adult Football Helmet - Grey $139.99 + Shipping
http://www.teamexpress.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=24284

This is by far the most expensive part of this costume. I already have a helmet but it's v1 and did not turn out as well as I wanted. So I am going to order a new helmet in the proper color I was going for. The helmet does not come with the face mask, and I'm still looking for the right face mask that will fit this helmet and deciding on the color, probably white.

Does it have to be a Rawlings, or does the face mask have to look a certain way?...have you thought of getting sun visors to make it look more like a fighter helmet?...

 

[Helpful Nerd]

Does it have to be a Rawlings, or does the face mask have to look a certain way?...have you thought of getting sun visors to make it look more like a fighter helmet?...

So far via my research $139 is the cheapest helmet outside of buying used. The reason I don't want to do used is because that's what I did for v1 and the helmet was in pretty bad shape and I had to paint it etc.

The face mask just needs to be simple, there are many types of face masks for football helmets, but a basic one is fine. I am still looking for the face mask I am going to get and will post an update about it soon.

I also like this helmet because there is a piece above the face mask that says Rawlings that I can remove and replace with a sticker the same size of something Star Wars related maybe a X-Wing graphic.

I'm still looking for visors. I had a visor on my v1 helmet that in the picture online looked more amber than it turned out to be. So I'm thinking of a visor with that multi-color reflective look. Not sure yet.

I am treating the upgraded version of this costume as an investment because I can use it for many years to come for Halloween, DragonCon and other Cons.

I am going to make items official once I buy one since I am taking the lead on organizing this group costume. I'll post the link to items I make official in the first post of this thread.

By all means if you find something for this costume I should consider then please post away.

 

[rootman055]

Doesn't red 5 need his little astromech buddy by his side for TRUE cosplay fun?

 

[Helpful Nerd]

Doesn't red 5 need his little astromech buddy by his side for TRUE cosplay fun?

Yeah having a working RC R2 unit for 2015 would be awesome for this group cosplay. I am going to try my best to get that done this year, it comes down to time and money.

I have another idea for a mascot / vehicle that could drive around with us at the Con. Looking at cost for that and wrapping my head around that build. But it would be a X-Wing of sort that someone could sit in and drive around the con. Maybe built on a Power Wheels chasis, still looking into it.

I might even have a friend that will dress up as Leia and instead of buns in her hair it would be the hair buns over the outside of the Motorola headset that football coaches wear during a game. We are gonna have a ton of fun with this group cosplay. We have a year to make this group cosplay as RAD as possible.

May the force be with us!

I'm still looking for folks to secure characters and join this cosplay group if you are interested.

 

[Helpful Nerd]

Ok so, for those of you that have secured your spot on the Red Squadron character list. Please read my updated 1st post of this thread. It now has all the required core costume pieces that you must buy to be a part of this group cosplay. The updated 1st post also has the list of items needed that can be purchased anywhere.

In addition the 1st post of this thread has the list of items that I'll be giving each of you (for free ) - an X-Wing Pilot Football Costume care package if you will.

Thanks again everyone for your interest in being a part of this group cosplay!

 

[jackwabbit]

Huh. I've been toying with a letterman jacket along these lines. Eying an orange and white letter jacket that fits me at the thrift shop and was going to replace the letter with a Rebel Alliance patch and get someone to embroider "Rebels" on the back for me.

If it's still there next time I go by, I think I might do it.

I'd love to do this cosplay, but not sure I can get everything to Dragon Con for it. I guess I could ship the shoulder pads...

But I could do this costume pretty cheaply and easily with stuff I have here. I played football, so a lot of it is laying around in boxes. Hm...since Luke is taken, I'd take Wedge, but not sure the budget for this year's cosplay will allow it...and that's only, of course, if the Rebels let girls play on their team.

- - - Updated - - -

Oh, and regarding the helmets: I realize this is a team thing and thus one would want them all the same, but keep in mind (if needed) that the Rebel Alliance is built of cobbled together parts and no one's helmet quite matches another, so there is a little leeway there. Personally, if I were making this cosplay on my own, I'd do front and back printing on the jersey, plus or minus chest box, and a battle-scarred helmet. Distress would look good in this setting. Think Bad News Bears or, more likely, Little Giants.

And the shoes aren't made in a size that would fit me. I love the idea of the orange shoes, but no can do here. I actually have those same shoes (or very similar) in black. They're my running shoes. Perhaps if they wear out before con (they've got some miles on them and I vary them with another pair for longer runs), I could paint them...hm...

 

[MatrixSpoon]

Huh. I've been toying with a letterman jacket along these lines. Eying an orange and white letter jacket that fits me at the thrift shop and was going to replace the letter with a Rebel Alliance patch and get someone to embroider "Rebels" on the back for me.

If it's still there next time I go by, I think I might do it.

I'd love to do this cosplay, but not sure I can get everything to Dragon Con for it. I guess I could ship the shoulder pads...

But I could do this costume pretty cheaply and easily with stuff I have here. I played football, so a lot of it is laying around in boxes. Hm...since Luke is taken, I'd take Wedge, but not sure the budget for this year's cosplay will allow it...and that's only, of course, if the Rebels let girls play on their team.

- - - Updated - - -

Oh, and regarding the helmets: I realize this is a team thing and thus one would want them all the same, but keep in mind (if needed) that the Rebel Alliance is built of cobbled together parts and no one's helmet quite matches another, so there is a little leeway there. Personally, if I were making this cosplay on my own, I'd do front and back printing on the jersey, plus or minus chest box, and a battle-scarred helmet. Distress would look good in this setting. Think Bad News Bears or, more likely, Little Giants.

And the shoes aren't made in a size that would fit me. I love the idea of the orange shoes, but no can do here. I actually have those same shoes (or very similar) in black. They're my running shoes. Perhaps if they wear out before con (they've got some miles on them and I vary them with another pair for longer runs), I could paint them...hm...

Thanks for your feedback on this post....I know that Helpfulnerd has no problems with male or female, as far as what is needed and what needs to be accurate is up to him...I'm sure he will respond to your post as soon as he reads your response...which he's really good at responding...Hope your able to join the group with us...

PS... you might want to check out our RPF meet up for Dragoncon 2015, heres the link...http://www.therpf.com/f68/dragoncon-2015-a-223568/

 

[jackwabbit]

Thanks for your feedback on this post....I know that Josh has no problems with male or female, as far as what is needed and what needs to be accurate is up to him...I'm sure he will respond to your post as soon as he reads your response...which he's really good at responding...Hope your able to join the group with us...

PS... you might want to check out our RPF meet up for Dragoncon 2015, heres the link...http://www.therpf.com/f68/dragoncon-2015-a-223568/

Cool on male or female, and yeah, if it's a group thing, it's totally up to the group leader, which in this case, is Porkins. Love it.

 

[jackwabbit]

Bought that jacket today after all... And I'm seriously considering joining in on this group. Incidentally, I found these shoes in women's sizes:

http://www.vohek.net/new-balance-nb-ws77og-retro-for-women-running-shoes-orange-white-p-447.html

I run, and I have a preference for New Balance or Brooks brand anyway, so cool. I'll likely need a new pair of shoes in a few months anyway. So there are orange options. Still thinking on the plan for the year. I'll let you know when I decide for sure, but I think I might try to pull this off if ok with everyone.

 

[MatrixSpoon]

Bought that jacket today after all... And I'm seriously considering joining in on this group. Incidentally, I found these shoes in women's sizes:

http://www.vohek.net/new-balance-nb-ws77og-retro-for-women-running-shoes-orange-white-p-447.html

I run, and I have a preference for New Balance or Brooks brand anyway, so cool. I'll likely need a new pair of shoes in a few months anyway. So there are orange options. Still thinking on the plan for the year. I'll let you know when I decide for sure, but I think I might try to pull this off if ok with everyone.

Thats cool, but I know that Helpfulnerd wants everything to match, which I do agree you want it to 1 look good and 2 look lagit...I'm not a sports fan, but even I have to say that you don't see football, basketball, baseball teams with miss matching out fits, all there outfits match...helmet, hat, shirt, pants, now as for shoes yes thats up in the air cause you have people with sponsers and such if were talking real life, but like I said before you, might want to PM him and ask unless he replies here which I'll shot him a message on FB and let him know...

 

[jackwabbit]

Thats cool, but I know that Helpfulnerd wants everything to match, which I do agree you want it to 1 look good and 2 look lagit...I'm not a sports fan, but even I have to say that you don't see football, basketball, baseball teams with miss matching out fits, all there outfits match...helmet, hat, shirt, pants, now as for shoes yes thats up in the air cause you have people with sponsers and such if were talking real life, but like I said before you, might want to PM him and ask unless he replies here which I'll shot him a message on FB and let him know...

Oh, absolutely. I totally get that. Matching is important for the group. Including helmets, etc - was just playing devil's advocate before with the distressed comment, but with shoes, I might have to vary some to get some that would fit me. There's no hurry on this. Still thinking it over myself...it would be fun, but not sure it's in the budget.

And my letter jacket is just a for fun thing for me.

 

[MatrixSpoon]

Oh, absolutely. I totally get that. Matching is important for the group. Including helmets, etc - was just playing devil's advocate before with the distressed comment, but with shoes, I might have to vary some to get some that would fit me. There's no hurry on this. Still thinking it over myself...it would be fun, but not sure it's in the budget.

And my letter jacket is just a for fun thing for me.

It's cool, I messaged helpfulnerd, about you wanting to join, most likely he's been working with clients, hense why he hasn't posted yet....

 

[Helpful Nerd]

Hi jackwabbit

I think it's awesome that you are interested in joining the Rebel X-Wing Pilot Group Cosplay.

I read through all your recent posts with you ideas. So I'll take the time to clarify somethings so everyone is on the same page. You raised some good points.

1. Shoes

The shoes do NOT have to be the new balance shoes that I put in the purchase list. Something similar and as orange as possible is fine - Orange & White, more orange than white. LOL. That being said you could check the new balance website and see if they have those in your size. Unless it's a comfort thing - I want everyone to be comfortable and of course some folks won't be able to get their exact shoe size. I'll update the first post with this information too.

2. Regarding The Helmet

My thoughts on this are that I want everyone to buy the same helmet and face mask. Remember it's a mashup and my design goal was to take things from the X-Wing costume and merge it with a football uniform. Overall my goal is to have continuity as a team for this group cosplay.

3. Decals For The Helmet

Each character could have a distressed helmet or different color decals. I am doing research for what decals go on what characters helmet, and if possible I'll design those sets of decals. Then it's more personalized. If I can't, for some reason, get that done I'll be providing decals to everyone and the decals will all be the same. At the end of the day the helmets being individually customized is not the highest of my priorities but I'll look into it.

4. Distressing The Helmet

In summary I would say as long as everyone buys the same helmet in the same grey color, and the same white face-mask after that if you want to scuff it up, use a distressed paint job etc that's up to you.

I'm also looking into vacu-forming the helmet ridge that can be attached to the top of the football helmet so that theres another nod to the X-Wing helmet in the costume design. I'll keep you all posted. I have to finishing building my vacu-form rig and then do some test pulls in different plastics. Sorting out how to attach it to the helmet is on my list as well.

5. Chestbox

The chestbox is one of the center pieces of my design for this costume. It's a required part for the costume, but if you can't / don't want to buy a vacu-formed, painted ready to go version like I did, you can use the Pep file that I posted in the first post. Thanks again to MatrixSpoon for that file!

6. Enough room to bring the costume

I the two largest items are the helmet and shoulder pads. Shipping them is not a bad option. I live in Atlanta, about 10-15 mins from the Con hotels. So you could ship those items to me once finished and I can bring them to you at your hotel. I know some people have shipped to the hotel, but I've also heard about things not arriving in time, or getting misplaced so shipping to my apartment means that since I work from home I will be here to get it. It's an option at least.

With all that being said...

I'm not putting the hammer down about brand of shoe, as long as it fits in. And I leave the distressed look up to you guys regarding the helmet. At the end of the day if we all have the same helmet, same jersey, etc this costume will be awesome as a group.

I already promised a buddy of mine the character of Wedge. Let me know if there's another name you want. Biggs is still available.

Thanks for the feedback and I'll be posting more pics of costume items soon. I will have my jersey in November. Then I'm going to make a video of the jersey and a screen recording with settings to choose when you order your jersey online.

Oh and I've been working on some Red Squadron patches that go on the jersey. I'll post those designs soon.

Keep the feedback and ideas coming. I'm set on some stuff, but very open to new ideas.

 

[Helpful Nerd]

and that's only, of course, if the Rebels let girls play on their team.

Girls area welcome. This is about having fun as group and having fun with cosplay. I have no issues with girls on the team.

 

[Helpful Nerd]

Bought that jacket today after all... And I'm seriously considering joining in on this group. Incidentally, I found these shoes in women's sizes:

http://www.vohek.net/new-balance-nb-ws77og-retro-for-women-running-shoes-orange-white-p-447.html

I run, and I have a preference for New Balance or Brooks brand anyway, so cool. I'll likely need a new pair of shoes in a few months anyway. So there are orange options. Still thinking on the plan for the year. I'll let you know when I decide for sure, but I think I might try to pull this off if ok with everyone.

here's another shoe option too. It's basically the same shoe that I put in the list on the first post, but it's a women's shoe. The difference is the color, this is grey and white. Which at the end of the day, if the shoes are Grey / White or Orange / White like I posted or even Black / White it would be cool.

http://www.amazon.com/New-Balance-Womens-WL501-Sneaker/dp/B008HYFAO2

I chose this particular show because the "N" on the sides can easily be removed and replaced with the X-Wing patch that I'm making. The shoe you posted, looks like the N is inset into the side of the shoe and made of plastic, may be harder to remove and replace with the patch. If you want to add the X-Wing patch

Things to think about.

 

[jackwabbit]

Excellent info, helpfulnerd. It was quite helpful.

I'll get back to you on whether I'm going to jump in on this one. I'm at work all weekend and won't have time to be online much/make detailed posts, but your clarification sounds great and Hm...if I can't have Wedge or Luke, Biggs would probably be my choice, but I'll have to think about that...I don't wanna die!

 

[MatrixSpoon]

Think I found some X-Wing Shoes...