I think the part i really love about Star Wars is that everything eventually has function even if it was just put there for looks early on. Someone is deciding what this thing could have done, and sometimes they actually get used in a movie or a show, and i actually think that's important. All the visual guides have these functions as part of what makes those books valuable. It doesn't matter if its in a vague area of a starship or on the countertops of Beru's kitchen. Yeah someone made it up and that makes it fun.. and sometimes i do not agree with what it should be.
If you have ever hung out with a kid while in costume, you realize the kids love to ask questions... when they see things, they want to know "what does that do?" or "what is that for?" while they point at random bits on your plastic belt. And really, we are all just kids doing make believe. So part of that wonder is what makes all this worth while and interesting.
I could make stuff up to tell them, and i have when i didn't know what the "official narrative" was, but we as costumers have also spent hours discussing how the blade on the back of a speeder bike might work, or what those drop boxes on the biker scout armor might do or how they could function.. or what the heck are those belt capsules on the x-wing pilot?
So its nice to get consensus. Whether or not it actually does something or just looks cool.
Now as a pilot, which i am one in the real world, i can look at the belt and say "what would i need to carry on my belt that i could not put in my pocket?" It's got to be something that getting into a pocket might not serve in the best way. That, to me, would mean it has to be something i would need in the cockpit, where getting to a pocket might not work very well without spilling those things all over inside and then having them rattle all over the canopy while you are doing maneuvers.
Part of my reasoning is that there are none of those on the back. Only on the front or sides. Also, having those in your pockets would make a ton of noise.. if they were metal. You would hear every pilot all over the ship, jingling as they walk.. that would not make command very happy.
So what could those be? Maybe some dont care, and they can do without the reason.. and thats cool, but i still want to have an answer for the kids, or even for myself. I have a few ideas and some guesses.. its probably not that important here.. so maybe ill just go back to building my suit. And when i get it all done, ill look into it more so i have something i can tell the kid and brighten his day knowing he talked to a real x-wing pilot.
Kudos to you guys for helping us all build the best costume we can. I always look forward to Star Wars discussion time.
So, what is everyone using for the "correct" fabric on the X-wing vest? Does it have a specific name? Is there one or two good places we are all getting it from? thanks again!
